Commitment to the use of critical reason, factual evidence, and. This declaration defends only that form of secular humanism which is. Aug 21, 2007 according to their own pronouncements, secular humanists are atheists who believe that the scientific method is the primary way we can know about life and living, from understanding who we are as humans to questions of ethics, social issues, and politics. Compiled by paul kurtz, it is largely a restatement of the content of the american humanist associations 1973 humanist manifesto ii, of which he was coauthor with edwin h. Optimistic secular humanism xenos christian fellowship. Religious humanists regard the universe as selfexisting and not created. Humanism is a religionphilosophyideology which denies the existence of god, the moral code of scripture and exalts man, reason, and science as the answer to all our problems. Roberts introduction the special issue of nature, society and thought nst, religion and freethought volume 9, no. Many secular humanists seem inclined to reject all beliefs that cant be demonstrated scientifically. At a time when religious fundamentalism is gaining adherents worldwide, the declaration defends the separation of church and.
The document was issued in 1980 by the council for democratic and secular humanism codesh, now the council for secular humanism csh. Secular humanism is a worldview held by atheists andor agnostics that promotes the human above all things. The following principles are the basis of secular humanism, a life stance that i find to be extraordinary in its ability to capture how i, and most other freethinkers i know, view the world. While the initial manifesto is specifically religious, the subsequent humanist documents are not. The individuals whose signatures appear would, had they been writing individual statements, have stated the. Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.
The ethics of liberal secular humanism i believe that one of the reasons secular humanist liberals are castigated so strongly by religionists is that we are stereotyped as not having any moral values or ethical principles nothing could be further from the truth. Secular humanism defined a secular humanist declaration affirmations of humanism. Secular humanists celebrate darwins use of human reason and empirical science. This declaration defends only that form of secular humanism which is explicitly committed to democracy. First, has the word atheist been permanently rendered derogatory like liberal or socialist, and, second, how do we respond to the killer argument that hitler was an atheist. The religious face of humanism 2 second manifesto as extensively as in the first, there can be no doubt that the beliefs of the second document may also be categorized as religious humanism. Secular humanism is important because it is a central factor in constructing a common morality that does not make special appeal to such things as religious assumptions. Worldview analysis of secular humanism bellator christi. Both wilson and kurtz had served as editors of the humanist, from which kurtz departed. Later still, a number of the signatories of the second manifesto produced a document called, a secular humanist declaration.
Secular humanism is a religion kevin craig liberty. The document was issued in 1980 by the council for democratic and secular humanism, now the council for secular humanism. Roy torcaso, the appellant, a practicing humanist in maryland, had refused to declare his belief in almighty god, as then required by state law in order for him to be commissioned as a notary public. Humanist manifesto i 1933 humanist manifesto ii 1973 a secular humanist declaration 1980 a declaration of interdependence. Subsequent public declarations, such as a secular humanist declaration 1980, a declaration of interdependence. Their primary approach is to target the youth through the public school system. Sir julian huxley was one of the first to postulate. Separating secular humanism and the state summit ministries. Christian conservatives and the war against secular humanism. This is one of the greatest political inventions of all time, and utterly unique in the history of humankind. A secular humanist declaration off site issued in 1980 by the council for democratic and secular humanism, this declaration addresses free inquiry, separation of church and state, freedom, ethics, religious skepticism, reason, science and technology, evolution, and education. Secular humanism has its own meetings, its own clergy of spokesmen, its own creed called the humanist manifesto, and its own goals toward which it desires all of humanity to work. It applies humanisma rational philosophy without theism or other supernatural beliefs that is informed by science, guided by reason, inspired by art, and motivated by compassionto commentary on politics, science. A new global ethics 1988, humanist manifesto 2000, the amsterdam declaration of the international humanist and ethical union 2002 and humanism and its aspirations 2003 further refined the.
The declaration has also raised doubts among some moderate liberals and conservatives. The roots of humanism secular humanism is not evil, as charged by the moral majority, but is derived from early christianity, with its concern for learning and human. The ideal of secular humanism is mankind itself as a part of uncreated, eternal nature. In 1933, in an effort to combine the thoughts of the western unitarian. A secular humanist declaration secular humanism is a vital force in the contemporary world. However, the democratic humanism of the secular humanist declaration 1980, and the planetary. Apparently, to be critical of religion is considered immoral, unpatriotic, or at the very least in bad. For this reason, the secular humanist defends evolution with the fire of a christian evangelist. Mission statements is the online publication of the american humanist association, providing daily news, opinion, and information. Secular humanism and atheism beyond progressive secularism. Apologetics press secular humanism and the reorganization. Humanism the word humanism has been freely applied to a variety of beliefs, methods, and philosophies that place central emphasis on what it means to be human.
The manifesto originally arose from religious humanism, though secular humanists also signed. Humanist manifesto ii seems to describe modern humanisms rejection of historical optimism in some places, yet follows with a declaration of incomparable historical optimism. Humanism is a religion, and the supreme court defined it as such in 1961 torcaso v. In between manifestos ii and iii, paul kurtz and several other leading humanists published what they called a secular humanist declaration free inquiry, october 1980 which they considered as a tentative third manifesto. Over the past 75 years, secular humanists have exerted significance influence over a wide range of culture shaping arenas, including education, the media tv, advertising, and mainstream news outlets, film. Secular humanism is a vital force in the contemporary world. American humanist association humanist manifestos i and ii humanist manifesto i the manifesto is a product of many minds. Humanists, you might say, like to write manifestos see humanist manifestos i and ii no. Secular humanism and atheism beyond progressive secularism richard cimino christopher smith new school for social research the organized atheist and secular humanist movements have long operated under the premise of secuhrism progressing in amencan society.
Humanist association aha, council for secular humanism, the secular. Using technology wisely, we can control our environment, conquer poverty, markedly reduce disease, extend our lifespan, significantly modify our behavior, alter the. The organized atheist and secular humanist movements have long operated under. Supreme court cited secular humanism as a religion in the 1961 case of torcaso v. Humanist manifesto i american humanist association. Supreme court ruled that secular humanism is a religion and secular humanism is the official. Secular humanists have developed a comprehensive view on various issues, including the nature of man, moral values, the role of the state, plus other areas.
Some christians might be surprised to learn that they actually share. It is opposed to all varieties of belief that seek supernatural. A secular humanist declaration, the sequel to humanist manifesto i and ii, is a significant statement setting forth the views of prominent scholars and writers in defense of free inquiry, science, reason, and democracy. Secular humanism indeed possesses a unique selling proposition. Secular humanist and biblical moral codes are at war with each other. That is, it is a set of beliefs through which one interprets all of realitysomething like a pair of glasses. Frequently, the term is used with reference to a system of education and mode of inquiry that developed in northern italy during the 14th century and later spread through europe and england. Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without supernaturalism. May 29, 2012 secular humanist and biblical moral codes are at war with each other.
So the secular humanist would have no room for god or for anything supernatural due to the heavy dependency upon the human sensory experience. The protestant reformation followed al most inevitably, and from that womb rose other movements such as the enlightenment, the scientific and in dustrial revolutions, nationalism, and eventually the minuscule move ment known as secular humanism, which has been equated erroneously. India, china, australia, europe, and north america. Secular humanism is comprehensive, touching every aspect of life including issues of values, meaning. The humanists themselves would agree that they adhere to a religious worldview. According to their own pronouncements, secular humanists are atheists who believe that the scientific method is the primary way we can know about life and living, from understanding who we are as humans to questions of ethics, social issues, and politics. The attack on secular humanism occasioned the formation of another, more aggressive, humanist group. Free inquiry as opposed to censorship and imposition of belief. These documents were created and signed by people who did not in their words clearly say that nonhumanist religious beliefs need to be dislodged from mainstream society from the public square as catholic. Katrina vosss article the booger on atheisms finger fi, aprilmay 2011 raises two questions. They are the original humanist manifesto 1933, often referred to as humanist manifesto i, the humanist manifesto ii 1973, and. However, apart from the specifics of what secular humanists believe, the pressing issue is this. Over the past century, secular humanists have published six different declarations or manifestos and numerous books and articles which describe their man centered and manmade religionworldview.
The joining of individuality with interdependence enriches our lives. Liberal secular humanism recognizes the vital importance of morality and ethical standards for personal and. A secular humanist declaration was issued in 1980 by the council for secular humanisms predecessor, codesh. Secular humanism organization can be found in all parts of the world. The individuals whose signatures appear would, had they been writing individual.
Because of its cohesive world view and strong threat to biblical christianity, it needs to be examined and answered in this book. Secular humanism, on the other hand, implies a focus on man apart from god, whether or not god exists. A secular humanist declaration, the sequel to humanist manifesto i and ii. The third was written in 2003, and inbetween this had been this 1980 declaration, the 1988 a declaration of interdependence, the 1996 iheu minimum statement on humanism, the humanist manifesto 2000. Secular humanists believe in sexual freedom, or premarital recreational sex. A secular humanist declaration, 1980, prometheus books humanist manifestos i and ii were signed in the years 1933 and 1973 respectively. But if the trajectories of both the topdown and bottomup approaches to nanowares continue to merge, then nanotechnology will have to take issues of security as well as safety seriously. However, the democratic humanism of the secular humanist declaration 1980, and the planetary humanism of kurtzs humanist manifesto 2000, do not contradict the major premises of the first manifesto. This work has been declared by the aha board as historic, and is superseded by humanist manifesto iii the manifesto is a product of many minds. The influence of the secular humanist worldview summit. The founding fathers of the united states of america seem to think not, and warned us against this type of philosophy. The principles of secular humanism daniel miessler.
Secular humanism emerges, then, as a comprehensive nonreligious life stance that incorporates a naturalistic philosophy, a cosmic outlook rooted in science, and a consequentialist ethical system. In 1933, and then forty years later in 1973, humanists set forth their credo in humanist manifesto i and humanist manifesto ii prometheus press, 1973. Secular humanism is an attempt to function as a civilized society with the exclusion of god and his moral principles. During the last several decades, humanists have been very successful in propagating their beliefs. Secular humanism grew out of the 18th century enlightenment and 19th century freethinking. In 1980, humanists once again elucidated their beliefs in the nowfamous document, a secular humanist declaration 1980. Sharlow secular humanism is not a single set of beliefs. Secular humanism is a term which has come into use in the last thirty years to describe a world view with the following elements and principles. In these cases, the term humanism means a concern for humanistic goals, with the understanding that god is the final solution to mans needs. The court held that the requirement for such an oath. In the last two decades, however, progressive secuansm. Secular humanism is a philosophy or life stance that embraces human reason, secular ethics, and philosophical naturalism while specifically rejecting religious dogma, supernaturalism, and superstition as the basis of morality and decision making secular humanism posits that human beings are capable of being ethical and moral without religion or belief in a deity. Secular humanism some historical warnings the primary focus of secular humanism is to exclude god from the potential answers in life.
A secular humanist declaration christians and humanists have many opinions and goals in common, and a close reading of their materials will prove that many of the humanist complaints against religion do not apply to biblical christianity as christ portrayed it, but instead to the manifold corrupted religions deriving from human thought rather. Nevertheless, secular humanism does have some pervasive themes. Manifesto a public declaration of principles, policies, or intentions. A conviction that dogmas, ideologies and traditions, whether religious, political or social, must be weighed and tested by each individual and not simply accepted on faith. The argument of this book, therefore, will be of profound interest to all who are concerned for the wellbeing of humanity in todays world. The individuals whose signatures appear would, had they been writing individual statements, have stated the propositions in differing terms. Declarations of humanist organizations, 19332003 a humanist manifesto 1933 p. Humanism is an ideology based on the centrality of humankind. The lifestance of humanismguided by reason, inspired by compassion, and informed by experienceencourages us to live life well and fully. It was designed to represent a developing point of view, not a new creed. Humanist manifesto iii, which has been endorsed by 22 nobel laureates and thousands. Humanist manifesto is the title of three manifestos laying out a humanist worldview.
1440 559 403 672 1271 1631 526 1214 1215 292 1136 441 1594 802 1437 188 1138 1475 834 774 693 490 798 107 1318 1124 1337 1155 1166 195 260 613 431 1501 576 1266 788 260 578 294 1289 939 290 1470 527 854 978 1459