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:
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.
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How Do Secular Humanists View Religious and Supernatural Claims?
Secular humanists accept a world view or philosophy called naturalism, in which the physical laws of the universe are not superseded by non-material or supernatural entities such as demons, gods, or other "spiritual" beings outside the realm of the natural universe. Supernatural events such as miracles (in which physical laws are defied) and psi phenomena, such as ESP, telekinesis, etc., are not dismissed out of hand, but are viewed with a high degree of skepticism.
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Are Secular Humanists Atheists?
Secular humanists are generally nontheists. They typically describe themselves as nonreligious. They hail from widely divergent philosophical and religious backgrounds.
Thus, secular humanists do not rely upon gods or other supernatural forces to solve their problems or provide guidance for their conduct. They rely instead upon the application of reason, the lessons of history, and personal experience to form an ethical/moral foundation and to create meaning in life. Secular humanists look to the methodology of science as the most reliable source of information about what is factual or true about the universe we all share, acknowledging that new discoveries will always alter and expand our understanding of it and perhaps change our approach to ethical issues as well. In any case their cosmic outlook draws primarily from human experiences and scientific knowledge.
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What Is The Origin of Secular Humanism?
Secular humanism as an organized philosophical system is relatively new, but its foundations can be found in the ideas of classical Greek philosophers such as the Stoics and Epicureans as well as in Chinese Confucianism. These philosophical views looked to human beings rather than gods to solve human problems.
During the Dark Ages of Western Europe, humanist philosophies were suppressed by the political power of the church. Those who dared to express views in opposition to the prevailing religious dogmas were banished, tortured or executed. Not until the Renaissance of the fourteenth to seventeenth centuries, with the flourishing of art, music, literature, philosophy and exploration, would consideration of the humanist alternative to a god-centered existence be permitted. During the Enlightenment of the eighteenth century, with the development of science, philosophers finally began to openly criticize the authority of the church and engage in what became known as "free thought."
The nineteenth century Freethought movement of America and Western Europe finally made it possible for the common citizen to reject blind faith and superstition without the risk of persecution. The influence of science and technology, together with the challenges to religious orthodoxy by such celebrity freethinkers as Mark Twain and Robert G. Ingersoll brought elements of humanist philosophy even to mainline Christian churches, which became more concerned with this world, less with the next.
In the twentieth century scientists, philosophers, and progressive theologians began to organize in an effort to promote the humanist alternative to traditional faith-based world views. These early organizers classified humanism as a non-theistic religion which would fulfill the human need for an ordered ethical/philosophical system to guide one's life, a "spirituality" without the supernatural. In the last thirty years, those who reject supernaturalism as a viable philosophical outlook have adopted the term "secular humanism" to describe their non-religious life stance.
Critics often try to classify secular humanism as a religion. Yet secular humanism lacks essential characteristics of a religion, including belief in a deity and an accompanying transcendent order. Secular humanists contend that issues concerning ethics, appropriate social and legal conduct, and the methodologies of science are philosophical and are not part of the domain of religion, which deals with the supernatural, mystical and transcendent.
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Secular humanism, then, is a philosophy and world view which centers upon human concerns and employs rational and scientific methods to address the wide range of issues important to us all. While secular humanism is at odds with faith-based religious systems on many issues, it is dedicated to the fulfillment of the individual and humankind in general. To accomplish this end, secular humanism encourages a commitment to a set of principles which promote the development of tolerance and compassion and an understanding of the methods of science, critical analysis, and philosophical reflection.
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.
---------------------
How Do Secular Humanists View Religious and Supernatural Claims?
Secular humanists accept a world view or philosophy called naturalism, in which the physical laws of the universe are not superseded by non-material or supernatural entities such as demons, gods, or other "spiritual" beings outside the realm of the natural universe. Supernatural events such as miracles (in which physical laws are defied) and psi phenomena, such as ESP, telekinesis, etc., are not dismissed out of hand, but are viewed with a high degree of skepticism.
---------------------------------
Are Secular Humanists Atheists?
Secular humanists are generally nontheists. They typically describe themselves as nonreligious. They hail from widely divergent philosophical and religious backgrounds.
Thus, secular humanists do not rely upon gods or other supernatural forces to solve their problems or provide guidance for their conduct. They rely instead upon the application of reason, the lessons of history, and personal experience to form an ethical/moral foundation and to create meaning in life. Secular humanists look to the methodology of science as the most reliable source of information about what is factual or true about the universe we all share, acknowledging that new discoveries will always alter and expand our understanding of it and perhaps change our approach to ethical issues as well. In any case their cosmic outlook draws primarily from human experiences and scientific knowledge.
-------------------
What Is The Origin of Secular Humanism?
Secular humanism as an organized philosophical system is relatively new, but its foundations can be found in the ideas of classical Greek philosophers such as the Stoics and Epicureans as well as in Chinese Confucianism. These philosophical views looked to human beings rather than gods to solve human problems.
During the Dark Ages of Western Europe, humanist philosophies were suppressed by the political power of the church. Those who dared to express views in opposition to the prevailing religious dogmas were banished, tortured or executed. Not until the Renaissance of the fourteenth to seventeenth centuries, with the flourishing of art, music, literature, philosophy and exploration, would consideration of the humanist alternative to a god-centered existence be permitted. During the Enlightenment of the eighteenth century, with the development of science, philosophers finally began to openly criticize the authority of the church and engage in what became known as "free thought."
The nineteenth century Freethought movement of America and Western Europe finally made it possible for the common citizen to reject blind faith and superstition without the risk of persecution. The influence of science and technology, together with the challenges to religious orthodoxy by such celebrity freethinkers as Mark Twain and Robert G. Ingersoll brought elements of humanist philosophy even to mainline Christian churches, which became more concerned with this world, less with the next.
In the twentieth century scientists, philosophers, and progressive theologians began to organize in an effort to promote the humanist alternative to traditional faith-based world views. These early organizers classified humanism as a non-theistic religion which would fulfill the human need for an ordered ethical/philosophical system to guide one's life, a "spirituality" without the supernatural. In the last thirty years, those who reject supernaturalism as a viable philosophical outlook have adopted the term "secular humanism" to describe their non-religious life stance.
Critics often try to classify secular humanism as a religion. Yet secular humanism lacks essential characteristics of a religion, including belief in a deity and an accompanying transcendent order. Secular humanists contend that issues concerning ethics, appropriate social and legal conduct, and the methodologies of science are philosophical and are not part of the domain of religion, which deals with the supernatural, mystical and transcendent.
----------------------
Secular humanism, then, is a philosophy and world view which centers upon human concerns and employs rational and scientific methods to address the wide range of issues important to us all. While secular humanism is at odds with faith-based religious systems on many issues, it is dedicated to the fulfillment of the individual and humankind in general. To accomplish this end, secular humanism encourages a commitment to a set of principles which promote the development of tolerance and compassion and an understanding of the methods of science, critical analysis, and philosophical reflection.
Philosophy is questions that may never have answers,
Religion is answers that may never be questioned...
Embrace science and reject ignorance... why not embrace the ideals of a sustainable and progessive worldview like secular humanism?
"i won't trivialize this life that I know I have by letting myself believe some magic place waits for me, I know better than that... for I am a secular humanist."
Religion is answers that may never be questioned...
Embrace science and reject ignorance... why not embrace the ideals of a sustainable and progessive worldview like secular humanism?
"i won't trivialize this life that I know I have by letting myself believe some magic place waits for me, I know better than that... for I am a secular humanist."
by jrivs October 13, 2006
Get the secular humanist mug.Someone who is non-religious and liberal on social issues, but conservative on fiscal policy and military policy.
John is a secular conservative, he's against the teaching of Intelligent Design in the classrooms of public schools but for the war in Iraq when it started.
by Spartacus Darwin March 3, 2009
Get the Secular Conservative mug.A person who believes that religion should be disregarded pertaining to matters of the state or nation. Secular humanists may not necessarily be atheists or free-thinkers, and may even be religious or spiritual. Instead of living to please supernatural beings, secular humanists prioritize the well-being of humans, and some others are also concerned with animals and the environment. Most secular humanists don't rely on faith, myth or superstition to guide decision-making, but instead use reason and science.
by TheSereneSecularist August 22, 2017
Get the Secular humanist mug.A radio/YouTube show where some 28 y/o, squeaky New Yorker called Kyle Kulinski talks Liberal, secular politics, New Atheism, and sexual jokes.
Regularly rants against: Ann Coulter, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Obama, money in politics, religion, conservatism, war.
Regularly rants for: Bernie Sanders, weed, healthcare, Jill Stein, free speech, secularism, Atheism.
Regularly rants against: Ann Coulter, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Obama, money in politics, religion, conservatism, war.
Regularly rants for: Bernie Sanders, weed, healthcare, Jill Stein, free speech, secularism, Atheism.
Hater: Secular Talk is a squeaky fagit, fam.
Me: He's squeaky, but there's no evidence of homosexuality here.
Me: He's squeaky, but there's no evidence of homosexuality here.
by Itz Rob February 11, 2017
Get the Secular Talk mug.A faction of the prolife movement that is little known. It is made up of people who don't take a religious stand but they are against abortion. They may or may not believe in God but they are not fundamentalist and they resent those groups controling the movement. There position is that humans are a masterpiece of evolution and human fetuses shoul not be so thoughtlessly aborted. They blame society for abortion for being so puritanical about sex and putting shame on unwed mothers and making it so financaly hard for mothers to raise childern.
by Deep blue 2012 April 4, 2010
Get the Secular prolife mug.To masturbate.
After strolling through the garment district during fashion week, Nigel went home and used his drool to give himself a firm, secular handshake.
by von groovy May 26, 2017
Get the secular handshake mug.The adherence to anti-religious ideology that militantly ridicules, mocks, scorns and satirizes the idea of the existence of a deity or deities and or religion, indifferent of feelings of bigotry intolerance hatred and persecution that adherents feel as a result. That does not respect religion or support policies supporting the freedom of it. Calls for its abolition or severe restriction & for religion to removed from public life. Puts forth fact-based arguments, propaganda & bullying and insults as tactics to push adherents to abandon their professed beliefs and or convert them into like-minded individuals. They regard religion as inherently harmful. Secular-Fundamentalists aren't themselves religious by definition however their attitudes regarding their beliefs mimic many religious fundamentalists so much so that the manner of their expression of their beliefs is often indistinguishable in form, from their religious fundamentalist counterparts. They commonly use a myriad of semantical arguments to avoid being labelled and most often use the internet to spread their message. They ignore rational counter-arguments regardless if it is supernatural or science based. They may exhibit obsessive-compulsive behavior regarding religion and related issues often taking disproportionate offence to even subtle outward expressions of religious belief and feeling compelled to constant dispell religious ideas. One may or may not subscribe to a deity to follow this ideology.
A soldier returns from Iraq and places a cross on the military base at camp Pendelton to memorialize his fallen comrades. Secular-Fundamentalists sue to remove it because it is on public property.
The opening of the church of the flying spaghetti monster to satirize and mock the idea of religion is a an example of how Secular-Fundamentalism works to reduce the seriousness of religious adherence into something to ridicule.
Canadian Secular-Fundamentalist complains to human rights commission that he is a victim of religious bigotry because his co-workers said a prayer before they ate when he was at the table.
Secular-Fundamentalists file a lawsuit over the 9/11 memorial cross being included in a museum as an historical artifact.
Secular-fundamentalists make calls to remove tax exemptions on Buddhists, Christians, Muslims and Jews, hindu's and sikhs etc in arguments that they should pay their "fair share" knowing full well that the majority of religious institutions could no longer afford to operate under those circumstances and therefore shut down making it the overall taxation of little financial value but cause significant damage to religion and deny adherents their freedom to practice religion.
atheist-fundamentalism atheistic-fundamentalism anti-religion anti-theism satanism
The opening of the church of the flying spaghetti monster to satirize and mock the idea of religion is a an example of how Secular-Fundamentalism works to reduce the seriousness of religious adherence into something to ridicule.
Canadian Secular-Fundamentalist complains to human rights commission that he is a victim of religious bigotry because his co-workers said a prayer before they ate when he was at the table.
Secular-Fundamentalists file a lawsuit over the 9/11 memorial cross being included in a museum as an historical artifact.
Secular-fundamentalists make calls to remove tax exemptions on Buddhists, Christians, Muslims and Jews, hindu's and sikhs etc in arguments that they should pay their "fair share" knowing full well that the majority of religious institutions could no longer afford to operate under those circumstances and therefore shut down making it the overall taxation of little financial value but cause significant damage to religion and deny adherents their freedom to practice religion.
atheist-fundamentalism atheistic-fundamentalism anti-religion anti-theism satanism
by Maurice Caldeira November 6, 2012
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