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[/i]What is secular humanism?[/b][/i][/b][/i]Secular Humanism is a term which has come into use in the last thirty years to describe a belief system with the following elements and principles:

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.Commitment to the use of critical reason, factual evidence, and scientific methods of inquiry, rather than faith and mysticism, in seeking solutions to human problems and answers to important human questions.A primary concern with fulfillment, growth, and creativity for both the individual and humankind in general.A constant search for objective truth, with the understanding that new knowledge and experience constantly alter our imperfect perception of it.A concern for this life and a commitment to making it meaningful through better understanding of ourselves, our history, our intellectual and artistic achievements, and the outlooks of those who differ from us.A search for viable individual, social and political principles of ethical conduct, judging them on their ability to enhance human well-being and individual responsibility.A conviction that with reason, an open marketplace of ideas, good will, and tolerance, progress can be made in building a better world for ourselves and our children

What's the difference between an atheist and a secular humanist?

The term "atheist" refers to a person who is very skeptical of the existence of gods, an afterlife, or other supernatural elements. Most secular humanists are atheist or agnostic -- but because these terms are negative word forms, expressing what is rejected rather than what is affirmed, we feel they don't give much information about an individual's life stance. Humanists prefer to define ourselves in a positive way by emphasizing what we value: reason, free inquiry, critical thinking, the scientific method, freedom, compassion, moral excellence, and a high regard for our fellow human beings.

Not sure whether you belong in a secular humanist group? No big deal -- many freethinkers spend years, even a lifetime, without realizing that the label "secular humanist" applies to them. Our group welcomes a diversity of perspectives and is proud of its refusal to adopt a dogmatic approach to membership. CVSH members include mostly atheistic and agnostic secular humanists, but deists, Unitarian Universalists, religious humanists, secular Jews, and even skeptical believers who participate in religious organizations for whatever reason are small but welcome minorities within our group. We leave it up to you to decide whether CVSH is for you -- not the other way around.


Excellent resources for further reading or study on the topic of Secular Humanism:
Links= What is secular Humanism
Cultural and Secular Humanism


An intriguing article I felt compelled to share. Especially relevant to the impression believer society has of atheism/atheists is the authors statement :Humanists prefer to define ourselves in a positive way by emphasizing what we value: reason, free inquiry, critical thinking, the scientific method, freedom, compassion, moral excellence, and a high regard for our fellow human beings.

It's amazing to me how many people , that have no clue about what atheism is save it is the belief there is no such thing as a god or super natural being responsible for creation or the created, imagine that because one does not subscribe to the tenets of religious faith they are somehow immoral or untrustworthy. Devoid of values, a sense of personal and societal responsibilities, etc... Nothing could be further from the truth. Atheists are realists, it may be said. We do not surrender our personal responsibility to living this life, making our choices, enjoying or suffering the consequences of those, facing our personal challenges or those dilemmas that occur in the every day, to the idea that there is some invisible all knowing, ever present, all powerful being some call god or goddess. We do not abdicate our personal trust, our personal ethic, our intellect, to prayer. To petitioning that mythological figure to save our life. To change our destiny, after we've consciously made the choices that we alone shall reap first.

And what is fascinating about the faithful philosophy is that monotheists or christians, will often deride polytheism. When that faith based system holds in common the belief that there are many invisible, omniscient, omnipresent, beings to petition in prayer. To honor in ritual, or faith as a dedicant. Claiming that that faith based personal choice is archaic or ignorant or something that was embraced before humanity became somehow "civilized".

So when someone asks me the very personal question: What is your religion? I answer in any number of ways and because it pleases me to see the face of one so bold when I don't give the expected pat answer so seemingly prevalent in contemporary America. "I'm an atheist" or, "I'm a atheistic free thinker" "I'm a cultural humanist" or what really gets the gears turning in their heads, almost so much so that one can see movement behind the forehead muscles, "I'm a secular humanist free thinking atheist" . I resort to that label when the person is presenting themselves as a particularly annoying walking sphincter. I once had a jehovah witness tell me; I'll have to write that down, Google and get back to you.

Funny how they never knocked again.

So, now that I've gotten this out of my system, thoughts!? (on the OT, not on my stymieing Jehovahs door rapper! ) Oh, and just as an aside: There are also "Christian Humanists".

I like it.

I don't like labels. Everyone has a differently level of interpretation.

And yet labels are what define our reality. Quirky ain't it!?

I once knew a girl that said she didn't like labels and she refused to permit anyone to whisper to her because it was rude to those in the vicinity not to hear what was said. I often wondered why she wasn't agoraphobic, given her predilections. Anyway, one day I tried to very discreetly whisper something extremely personal to her and out comes this loud admonishing: I told you I loath whispering! If you have something to say, just say it. So I did! Label and all.
"Ok, you appear to have started your period. Because you have an enormous blood patch spreading across your arse!!"
And then I walked away, because I'm quirky about labels and discreet information. But I cured her issues *snaps fingers* just like that!

Well, I used to have faith in labels-- that they could tell you all you needed to know... but they can cloud your reason and let you down. I prefer to rely on instinct, thank you.

wow Arty, my how you have grown, this isi one great man, i know this guy LOL ...Arty I agree we have to be willing at times to let go of the old to make room for the new, i too donot do labels, I already know about me tell me about you and your wisdom lets break bread together, share our journey gone are the days of my and me and he and she this is the day of us, team and we........would you agree Arty

Interesting. I never gave labels the authority of an epithet. I take them as a subjective identifier of a person, place or thing.
Meanwhile, relying on instinct, I bet you're a real hoot trying to communicate you'd like fries with that. Labels being what they are, relevant to menu's and such.



(grabs fly and runs for her life. Take my humor seriously and the airborne vomiting scavenger gets it! )

Calm down Sheri, I haven't come over to the 'dark side' just yet. jk --Oops, that was a label wasn't it . Seriously though, I agree with you Sheri, although we may have different methods to achieve certain goals, our goals are the same. Peace and understanding I presume?

Arty i'm a chick with passion, the dark side arty , from where i sit its very bright indeed the sun always shines ...lol yes we have the same message peace and love for each other....It takes one to know one. and i'm glad to know we are on the same page in our own unique ways and are celebrating that... ....

Hey, I admit its hard to avoid labels, but I meant more in terms of labeling groups of people. I think if you get caught in the name calling game, you just might miss something . I prefer to make my judgments on a one on one basis.

Gw tools at best, nothng more than that....anyone, anytime any day can be any idea ( label it somehow implys one is exclsuive "special' some of those better than philosophys)...Too often lableling oneself as if they are the label is limiting and generic..wouldn't you agree??? ..

I'm glad too. Balance is important, and that's no label, that's a necessity. There will be conflict at times, but that is a natural occurrence because of the diverse nature of things. Learning to accept this can only elevate your understanding of what is important in life.

you keep this up and i see hallmark cards in your future..seriously, you speak my langauge, yes disagreement shows the diverstiy of things and should be celebrated alot more...as telling ones truth it should be cause for celebration not war....as long as it harns noone that is...

Indeed I would agree that labels are tools. However they are tools that are invested with a great deal of trust as to define or differentiate human reality. Just as is our visual prejudices a tool that affects an instantaneous label or judgment , upon the one(s) perceived.

For instance, as an analogy, consider the label one affords someone they see walking toward them dressed as a "Goth". All sorts of attending qualifiers affix themselves to that person , that stranger, ahead. Satanist, slacker, untrustworthy, immoral, etc... We are a visually biased society and in affecting that visual discrimination, all sorts of labels enforce the perceptions we have. And all those perceptions are idiosyncratic.

I think labels are illusory, and yet they're applied as a subjective discrimination based on personal predilection. Labels are certainly not systemic, however they are so inculcated into culture that it's hard to step away from the influence or their application upon ones self, as a member of a bias selfish conscious society. Which I think describes all of humanity. Except maybe the Lama, but I could be wrong on that score.









edit to fix word flub

GW you do raise great points, possibly as a humanity we may want to get away from them, There is so much history built into some labels they have become entitiysnightmares all there own.. did you ever see the movie "crash" that sort of address's lables very well....great post my friend... great voice ....

Fortunately for me, I don't see humanity as a 'bias selfish conscious society'-- as you labeled it. The analogy you mentioned about a 'Goth' is rather presumptuous. I have known people that dress or look 'that way' and they are far from the description you gave of them. That is why I prefer to not label groups of people, because it puts them in a box and that can create imaginary victims. You seem to think of 'Goth' people as victims because of what you perceive of them, and what you think other people perceive of them, I could be wrong. Why not just treat them on an individual basis like everyone else? That is my point, I'd rather judge people on their character, not by what some label says.

boy arty i'm a 39 year old 'goth/punk rocker chick fortuantely i reside in a area where self expression is celebrated, in my case it wouldn't matter anyways,i live to be the contriversy LOL but i can tell you some years back based on appearance people get all worked up as you are pointing out, aand its os unfair and silly.......We have to encourage self expression alot more, I think GW was pointing out the side of labeling that is so prevalent and in need of a new face..we'll start a club hey arty...no labels allowed... ..

no labels allowed. I once new a girl that insisted that she was not unique in any way, refering to herself as "generic". Strangely, she didn't see that generic is a label too....

does that mean you are joining hyper lol. genreic boy that is interesting...

And what if you see (for example) a Mormon missionary on the street, what does your impression of them say before they even say a word, if they stop to chat. I fear very much taht label machine is in good and working condition then, I think

Or tell me I'm wrong

so whats this forum topic about? I almost fell asleep trying to read that bible posted by the OP.

I really like the qualities given as to what a Secular Humanist believes, these are attributes that are worth maintaining and refinning throughout everyday life. If you look at the description above these are traits and practices that would ensure an equal and peaceful society. To attempt to hold these ideals as personal truths than one would be guaranteed happiness....in my opinion.

I myself do not like labels, I detest being asked "what I believe?" in any type of social setting. I believe that labels create divisions in society and force a need to belong to one group or another and divisions are a hinderance to unity. When asked "what do you believe in?" its as if we are being asked to pick a side, go here, or go there, friend or foe.

I've been called an Atheist, a Humanist, Agnostic, Idealist, a realist, a Heathen, Antagonist,Satanist, Part of the Problem, Part of the Solution, the minority, the majority, part of the IN crowd and part of THAT crowd..............I'am a Nontheist, this I'm sure of!

Chauncy, well said, We are all all of it the best of it the worst of it, i too wonder why it atters what you beleive unless you felel a need to fit in, a need to be 'special' part of the name brandl....


Its okay to say I don't know and say it alot, who am i , I don't know, come to each moment of now in the mystery and wonder of i don't know.....

I will say, for someone that claims they do not give credibility to labels, you certainly are reactionary to them, not to mention impersonal analogies. (re; goth) In the meanwhile I'll give you the credit to know the definition of "bias" and "selfconscious" which are indeed labels. However they are labels that denote the human condition and as such aptly apply to the human condition, if one is not predisposed to affecting recriminations discriminately and as such recognize the verbiage without preconceived defense or bias.

It depends on how they present themselves to me, and what I happen to be doing at the moment (if I have time to talk or not). If I see them as polite, I'll be polite-- if they are engaging, I'll try to be engaging. Don't get me wrong, I'm guilty of prejudging people based on a label, but that is what I wish to change.

I agree. Its a little too convenient to label someone, as I said before-- it has the ability to create more perceived victims in society.

I only recognize that labels can be destructive, overly convenient, and a poor source to judge yourself and people by----do you agree? I apologize for taking your thread this way, I have a feeling though we are not too far off from each other with the overall sum.?

OK, of course the club can't be called anything, that would denote a bias. Actually, that is one example of a label I can accept----if someone sets the terms of a group and its members, and there is a mutual understanding and acceptance about what it is to be apart of that group.

it most definitely would defeat the purpose , unless we came up with a label to embrace the no label idea lol.......

I agree they can be a poor source to judge one's self and others. However, and relative to the earlier meat eaters analogy, we'll never see the day when labels don't exist so as to define members of this society. Just like we'll not see the day wherein we have a vegan world population. (I just ticked off a whole herd of optimistic bovines, I realize)

For some people I think it's easier to throw the judgment that a label affords another, because it insulates them then from feeling any empathy for someone they can not relate to on equal par. As in the "Goth" analogy, which I myself dawn now and again because I love the feel of putting on a new skin, sort of speak. And also it's my psycho-socio experiment, to live and witness the affect of preconceived idea's, on sight. I once had a woman that was charismatic Pentecostal, cross the street on a Sunday, because she saw me coming just half a block away. She clutched her bible to her chest, right after her mouth fell open, and walked into traffic. Not looking either way first, because she was clearly so overcome with the fear of she that she saw coming she didn't think of her own safety first. I stopped in mid stride thinking I was going to witness a pancaking right in front of the Library I was headed to. But thankfully traffic saw her coming first and skidded to a halt. Fascinating! That's why I love this life so much. There's never a dull moment.

hold on there missy , those bovines have rights too lol.....very well said , I wonder too Gw if people just don't want to take the timeto get to know another 'differnt person's" or they don't know how...Relgion isn't big on solcialization of humanity, you really notice this in the schools , the kids can't relate to each other , in the relgious familys the most not to point fingers but they have the hardest time embracing diversity, religon teaches to o embrace only those of like kind.....so you get alot of kids who pair off in groups of like kind and are at war with those that aren't this is in a major city in America, intersting how they solve conflict with violence( religious style) its no joke by and although the schools are aware of this they aren't allowed to use methods other than fear to deal with it....I see this too with my son jsut playing in our neighborhood the majority of the kids are in relgious constructs, the ones that aren't are the kids that are crossing the lines and embracing diversity and I can say its is a fact... and will say it....i spent alot of time volunteering at the schools and i work in a very public place have the oppourtunity to meet many walks of life.....