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Humanism

Humanism (belief system)

Secular humanism Religious humanism Christian humanism Humanistic Judaism Posthumanism Neo-humanism Transhumanism Antihumanism List of humanists Politics, sometimes defined as the art and science of government[1], is a process by which collective decisions are made within groups. ... Humanism is a broad category of active ethical philosophies that affirm the dignity and worth of all people, based on our ability to determine what is right using the qualities innate to humanity, particularly rationality. ... Image File history File links Humanism. ... This article discusses Humanism as a non-theistic belief system (the term preferred by most Humanists is life stance). For other uses of the term humanism, please see Humanism. ... Secular humanism is a humanist philosophy that upholds reason, ethics, and justice and specifically rejects rituals and ceremonies as a means to affirm their life stance. ... Christian humanism, is a philosophical union of Christian and humanist principles, and like much humanism often refers to a commonality among all humanity as its basic ethos. ... Humanistic Judaism is a movement within Judaism that emphasizes Jewish culture and history, rather than belief in a supernatural god, as the sources of Jewish identity. ... In literary and critical theory, posthumanism, meaning beyond humanism, is a European emergent philosophy and is the dominant secular, rational humanist philosophy. ... // Neo-Humanism (as propounded by P. R. Sarkar) The Indian thinker Prabhat Rainjan Sarkar propounded a in 1982 a theory about human nature and the way for individuals and society to seek the development of their full potentials. ... Transhumanism (sometimes abbreviated >H or H+) is an international intellectual and cultural movement supporting the use of new sciences and technologies to enhance human physical and cognitive abilities and ameliorate what it regards as harsh and unnecessary aspects of the human condition, such as disease and aging. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... This is a partial list famous humanists, including both secular and religious humanists. ...

History of humanism

Renaissance humanism Humanism in Germany Humanism in France Humanist Manifesto Renaissance humanism was a European intellectual movement beginning in Florence in the last decades of the 14th century. ... // Origins Humanistic studies were late in finding entrance into Germany. ... Humanism in France found its way from Italy, but did not become a distinct movement until the 16th century was well on its way. ... Humanist Manifesto is the title of three manifestos laying out a humanist worldview published by the American Humanist Association (AHA). ...

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Religious humanism, is an integration of religious rituals with humanistic philosophy that centers on human needs, interests, and abilities. The two basic approaches to religious humanism are from a humanist viewpoint that incorporates religious ritual, and from a revealed religious tradition with a humanist influence. Fishers of Men, oil on panel by Adriaen van de Venne (1614) Various religious symbols Religion is commonly defined as a group of beliefs concerning the myth of the supernatural, sacred, or divine, and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions, and rituals associated with such belief. ... A ritual is a set of actions, performed mainly for their symbolic value, which is prescribed by a religion or by the traditions of a community. ... Humanism is a broad category of active ethical philosophies that affirm the dignity and worth of all people, based on our ability to determine what is right using the qualities innate to humanity, particularly rationality. ... Trinomial name Homo sapiens sapiens Linnaeus, 1758 Humans, or human beings, are animals biologically classified as bipedal primates belonging to the mammalian genus Homo, in particular to its only extant species, Homo sapiens (Latin for wise man or knowing man), under the family Hominidae (the great apes). ...

Origins

Humanism was conceived in the early 20th century, humanism rejected revealed knowledge, theism-based morality and the supernatural. Yet many of the founders of the humanist philosophical movement envisioned it as a religion, with all of the functions, rituals, and moral guidance that revealed religions traditionally provided. In the late 20th century the humanist movement came into conflict with conservative Christian groups in the United States and "Secular Humanism" became the most visible element of organized humanism. Humanism is a broad category of active ethical philosophies that affirm the dignity and worth of all people, based on our ability to determine what is right using the qualities innate to humanity, particularly rationality. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The supernatural (Latin: super- exceeding + nature) refers to forces and phenomena which are beyond ordinary scientific measurement. ... Secular humanism is a humanist philosophy that upholds reason, ethics, and justice and specifically rejects rituals and ceremonies as a means to affirm their life stance. ...

One of the earliest forerunners of contemporary chartered humanist organizations was the Humanistic Religious Association formed in 1853 in London. This early group was democratically organized, with male and female members participating in the election of the leadership and promoted knowledge of the sciences, philosophy, and the arts. 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

The Ethical Culture movement was founded in 1876. The movement's founder, Felix Adler, a former member of the Free Religious Association, conceived of Ethical Culture as a new religion that would strip away the accumulated unscientific dogmas of traditional religions while retaining and elevating the ethical message at the heart of all religions. Adler believed that traditional religions would ultimately prove to be incompatible with a scientific worldview. He felt that the vital aspects of religion should not be allowed to fall by the wayside. Religions provided vital functions in encouraging good works. And religions taught important truths about the world, albeit these truths were expressed through metaphors that were not always suited to modern understandings of the world. For example, monotheistic religions were based on a metaphor of an authoritarian monarchy, whereas democratic relationships were now understood to be the ideal. The Ethical Culture Movement is a non-sectarian, ethico-religious and educational movement. ... Felix Adler (1851–1933) was a Jewish rationalist intellectual who founded the Society for Ethical Culture in New York, New York. ...

Initially, Ethical Culture involved little in the way of ceremony and ritual. Rather, Ethical Culture was religious in the sense of playing a defining role in people's lives and addressing issues of ultimate concern. Some Ethical Societies have subsequently added a degree of ritual as a means of marking special times or providing a tangible reminder of humanistic ideals. The Ethical Culture Movement is a non-sectarian, ethico-religious and educational movement. ... A ritual is a set of actions, performed mainly for their symbolic value, which is prescribed by a religion or by the traditions of a community. ...

In 1929 Charles Francis Potter founded the First Humanist Society of New York whose advisory board included Julian Huxley, John Dewey, Albert Einstein and Thomas Mann. Potter was a minister from the Unitarian tradition and in 1930 he and his wife, Clara Cook Potter, published Humanism: A New Religion. Throughout the 1930s Potter was well known advocate of women’s rights, access to birth control, "civil divorce laws", and an end to capital punishment. Dr Charles Francis Potter (1885-1962) was an American Unitarian minister, theologian and author. ... In 1929 Charles Francis Potter founded the First Humanist Society of New York whose advisory board included Julian Huxley, John Dewey, Albert Einstein, and Thomas Mann. ... Sir Julian Sorell Huxley, FRS (June 22, 1887 – February 14, 1975) was a British biologist, author, Humanist and internationalist, known for his popularisations of science in books and lectures. ... John Dewey (October 20, 1859 – June 1, 1952) was an American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer, whose thought has been greatly influential in the United States and around the world. ... Albert Einstein, photographed by Yousuf Karsh in 1948. ... Thomas Mann Paul Thomas Mann (June 6, 1875 – August 12, 1955) was a German novelist, social critic, philanthropist, essayist, and Nobel Prize laureate, lauded principally for a series of highly symbolic and often ironic epic novels and mid-length stories, noted for their insight into the psychology of the artist... Wikisource has original text related to this article: Unitarian Christianity Historic Unitarianism believed in the oneness of God as opposed to traditional Christian belief in the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). ...

Unitarian Universalist Humanism

Unitarian Universalists, while not all humanists, have a long tradition of religious humanism. The flaming chalice is the universally recognized symbol for Unitarian Universalism. ...

Spiritual Humanism

Spiritual Humanism claims to be a return to the original concept of humanism as fulfilling all of the functions of revealed religion. The Spiritual Humanism movement is a response to the perceived failure of the original humanist organizations to recruit new membership and address these spiritual needs. Many people feel the need for a religion to help guide them through life's challenges and difficult moral decisions. Recognizing how religious rituals, methods, and communication can impact human behavior, Spiritual Humanism is an attempt to fuse traditional religious behaviors onto the foundation of scientific humanist inquiry.

Spiritual Humanist Manifesto

FIRST: Spiritual humanists regard the universe as self-existing and not created, but it is a space of great wonder and spirituality.

SECOND: Humanism believes that man is a part and equal with nature, and that he has emerged as a result of a continuous process.

THIRD: Holding an organic view of life, spiritual humanists believe that all living things are created equal and have an equal value in the universe.

FOURTH: Spiritual humanism recognizes that man's religious culture and civilization, as clearly depicted by anthropology and history, are the product of a gradual development due to his interaction with his natural environment and with his social heritage. The individual born into a particular culture is largely molded by that culture.

FIFTH: Spiritual humanism asserts that the nature of the universe depicted by modern science makes questionable any supernatural or cosmic guarantees of human values. Obviously humanism does not deny the possibility of realities as yet undiscovered, but it does think that one way to determine the existence and value of any and all realities is by means of intelligent inquiry and by the assessment of their relations to human needs. Religion should consider formulating its hopes and plans in the light of the scientific spirit and method.

SIXTH: We believe that the time has passed for theism, deism, modernism, and the several varieties of "new thought", including secular humanism.

SEVENTH: Religion consists of those actions, purposes, and experiences which are humanly significant. Nothing human is alien to the religious. It includes labor, art, science, philosophy, love, friendship, recreation -- all that is in its degree expressive of intelligently satisfying human living. The distinction between the sacred and humanity can no longer be maintained.

EIGHTH: Spiritual Humanism considers the complete realization of human personality to be the main part of man's life and seeks its development and fulfillment in the here and now. This is the explanation of the humanist's social passion.

NINTH: In the place of the old attitudes involved in worship and prayer the spiritual humanist finds his religious emotions expressed in a heightened sense of personal life and in a cooperative effort to promote social well-being and of course spread love where ever he can.

TENTH: Everybody has a right to their own phylosophies and beliefs. A person's beliefs, or lack of, are equally as important to them as yours are to you.

ELEVENTH: Man will learn to face the crises of life in terms of his knowledge of their naturalness and probability. Reasonable and manly attitudes will be fostered by education and supported by custom. We assume that spiritual humanism will take the path of social and mental hygiene along with the power of love.

TWELFTH: Believing that religion must work increasingly for joy in living, spiritual humanists aim to foster the creative in man and to encourage achievements that add to the satisfactions of life.

THIRTEENTH: Spiritual humanism maintains that all associations and institutions exist for the fulfillment of human life. The intelligent evaluation, transformation, control, and direction of such associations and institutions with a view to the enhancement of human life is the purpose and program of humanism. Certainly religious institutions, their ritualistic forms, ecclesiastical methods, and communal activities should be reconstituted as experience allows, in order to function effectively in the modern world.

FOURTEENTH: The humanists are firmly convinced that existing acquisitive and profit-motivated society has shown itself to be inadequate and that a radical change in methods, controls, and motives must be instituted. A socialized and cooperative economic order must be established to the end that the equitable distri- bution of the means of life be possible. The goal of humanism is a free and universal society in which people voluntarily and intelligently cooperate for the common good. Humanists demand a shared life in a shared world.

FIFTEENTH: Spiritual Humanism believes that love is the greatest and most import thing in life. They believe that love can heal all things and bring piece to a troubled world. Love is the greatest and most important spirituality there is.

SIXTEENTH: We assert that humanism will:

 1. affirm life rather than deny it; 2. seek to elicit the possibilities of life, not flee from them; 3. endeavor to establish the conditions of a satisfactory life for all, not merely for the few. 

By this positive morale and intention humanism will be guided, and from this perspective and alignment the techniques and efforts of humanism will flow.

So stand the theses of spiritual humanism. Though we consider the religious forms and ideas of our fathers no longer adequate, the quest for the good life is still the central task for mankind. Man is at last becoming aware that he alone is responsible for the realization of the world of his dreams, that he has within himself the power for its achievement. He must set intelligence and will to the task, and he must love all others that share this great universe with him.

Revealed religious traditions

In the past, humanist versions of major religions, such as Christian humanism and Humanistic Judaism have arisen. In addition, many Dharmic religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and other Asian religions and belief systems like Confucianism, that focus of human nature and action more than theology, were always primarily humanistic. Currently, however, humanism is dominated almost exclusively by secular humanism. This has given rise to a newer version of humanist religions which are similar in philosophy to secular humanism. Secular humanists and revealed religious humanists primarily differ in their definition of religion and their positions on supernatural beliefs. They can also diverge in practice since religious humanists endorse religious ceremonies, rituals, and rites. Christian humanism, is a philosophical union of Christian and humanist principles, and like much humanism often refers to a commonality among all humanity as its basic ethos. ... Humanistic Judaism is a movement within Judaism that emphasizes Jewish culture and history, rather than belief in a supernatural god, as the sources of Jewish identity. ... The following is a list of religions. ... Hinduism {Sanskrit/Hindi - Hindū Dharma, also known as Sanātana (eternal) Dharma and Vaidika (of the Vedas) Dharma} is the religion based on the Vedas as well as other traditional scriptures and beliefs. ... Buddhism is a religion and philosophy focusing on the teachings of the Buddha Śākyamuni (Siddhārtha Gautama), who probably lived in the 5th century BCE. Buddhism spread throughout the ancient Indian sub-continent in the five centuries following the Buddhas death, and propagated into Central, Southeast, and East Asia... World map showing the location of Asia. ... Confucianist temple Thian Hock Keng in Singapore Confucianism (Chinese: 儒学, Pinyin: Rúxué‚ [ ] , literally The School of the Scholars; or, less accurately, 孔教 Kŏng jiào, The Religion of Confucius) is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system originally developed from the teachings of the early Chinese sage Confucius. ... Theology is reasoned discourse concerning God (Greek θεος, theos, God, + λογος, logos, word or reason). It can also refer to the study of other religious topics. ... Secular humanism is a humanist philosophy that upholds reason, ethics, and justice and specifically rejects rituals and ceremonies as a means to affirm their life stance. ... Secular humanism is a humanist philosophy that upholds reason, ethics, and justice and specifically rejects rituals and ceremonies as a means to affirm their life stance. ...

Another approach, Christian Existential Humanism, related to the work of the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, features a humanist perspective grounded in Christian religious belief; where humanity is something to be celebrated, but not as a replacement for the divine. Christian Existential Humanism (CEH) is a reconstructivist social and political philosophy combining Christian humanism and Christian existentialism. ... Søren Aabye Kierkegaard (IPA: ) (5 May 1813 – 11 November 1855), a 19th century Danish philosopher and theologian, is generally recognized as the first existentialist philosopher. ...

See also

• Humanist Manifesto I
• Unitarian Universalism
• Ethical Culture
• Religious Naturalism
• Alevi
• Corliss Lamont
• Fellowship of Reason
• Sea of Faith
• Evolutionary Humanism
• Religious Transhumanism

Humanist Manifesto is the title of three manifestos laying out a secular humanist worldview. ... The flaming chalice is the universally recognized symbol for Unitarian Universalism. ... The Ethical Culture Movement is a non-sectarian, ethico-religious and educational movement. ... Religious Naturalism is a phrase coined by Ursual Goodenough, author of It is a system of thought that posits that the need for religious experience can be fulfilled within a purely scientific understanding of the universe. ... Alevis in Turkey Alevis (Turkish: Alevîler) are adherents of a branch of Islam related to Shia Islam and practised mainly in Turkey. ... Corliss Lamont was born in Englewood, New Jersey in 1902. ... The Fellowship of Reason is a moral community based in Atlanta. ... The Sea of Faith is a religious/philosophical group spanning the positions of liberal religion and religious humanism whose aim is to explore and promote religious faith as a human creation. ... The book New Bottles for New Wine by Julian Huxley, 1957, contains a collection of his essays beginning with Transhumanism and ending with Evolutionary Humanism. In the latter essay, Huxley called for a new religion compatible with science. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ...

External links

• Humanist Society
• HUUmanists
• American Ethical Union
• Church of Spiritual Humanism
• Fellowship of Humanity
• Humanist Fellowship
• HumanLight
• Christian Existential Humanist Web
• The Temple of Earth
• Religious Humanism: The Journal of the HUUmanists
• Religious Humanism: The Past We Inherit; The Future We Create
• What on Earth is religious humanism?
• Theism and Religious Humanism: The Chasm Narrows
• The Founding of the Humanist Church and the History of Religious Humanism