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. 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. Secular humanism and atheism beyond progressive secularism. 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. 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. Secular humanism is a vital force in the contemporary world. Many secular humanists seem inclined to reject all beliefs that cant be demonstrated scientifically.
Free inquiry as opposed to censorship and imposition of belief. Humanist association aha, council for secular humanism, the secular. The influence of the secular humanist worldview summit. Using technology wisely, we can control our environment, conquer poverty, markedly reduce disease, extend our lifespan, significantly modify our behavior, alter the. Humanism is a religion, and the supreme court defined it as such in 1961 torcaso v. Supreme court ruled that secular humanism is a religion and secular humanism is the official. Both wilson and kurtz had served as editors of the humanist, from which kurtz departed. 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 secular humanist declaration, 1980, prometheus books humanist manifestos i and ii were signed in the years 1933 and 1973 respectively. 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 grew out of the 18th century enlightenment and 19th century freethinking. So the secular humanist would have no room for god or for anything supernatural due to the heavy dependency upon the human sensory experience. Secular humanism is an attempt to function as a civilized society with the exclusion of god and his moral principles. Humanists, you might say, like to write manifestos see humanist manifestos i and ii no.
Humanist manifesto ii seems to describe modern humanisms rejection of historical optimism in some places, yet follows with a declaration of incomparable historical optimism. A secular humanist declaration secular humanism is a vital force in the contemporary world. Katrina vosss article the booger on atheisms finger fi, aprilmay 2011 raises two questions. Liberal secular humanism recognizes the vital importance of morality and ethical standards for personal and. The organized atheist and secular humanist movements have long operated under. That is, it is a set of beliefs through which one interprets all of realitysomething like a pair of glasses. Mission statements is the online publication of the american humanist association, providing daily news, opinion, and information.
Roberts introduction the special issue of nature, society and thought nst, religion and freethought volume 9, no. Some christians might be surprised to learn that they actually share. Compiled by paul kurtz, it is largely a restatement of the content of the american humanist associations 1973 humanist. 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. However, the democratic humanism of the secular humanist declaration 1980, and the planetary. 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.
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. Manifesto a public declaration of principles, policies, or intentions. Humanist manifesto iii, which has been endorsed by 22 nobel laureates and thousands. 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. Christian conservatives and the war against secular humanism. 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 document was issued in 1980 by the council for democratic and secular humanism codesh, now the council for secular humanism csh. Humanism is an ideology based on the centrality of humankind. In 1980, humanists once again elucidated their beliefs in the nowfamous document, a secular humanist declaration 1980. The founding fathers of the united states of america seem to think not, and warned us against this type of philosophy. A secular humanist declaration was an argument for and statement of support for democratic secular humanism. Because of its cohesive world view and strong threat to biblical christianity, it needs to be examined and answered in this book. India, china, australia, europe, and north america. Supreme court cited secular humanism as a religion in the 1961 case of torcaso v.
While the initial manifesto is specifically religious, the subsequent humanist documents are not. Humanist manifesto i american humanist association. However, apart from the specifics of what secular humanists believe, the pressing issue is this. Secular humanism, on the other hand, implies a focus on man apart from god, whether or not god exists. Commitment to the use of critical reason, factual evidence, and. Their primary approach is to target the youth through the public school system. 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. 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.
Worldview analysis of secular humanism bellator christi. Secular humanist and biblical moral codes are at war with each other. 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. Nevertheless, secular humanism does have some pervasive themes. Secular humanists celebrate darwins use of human reason and empirical science. It was designed to represent a developing point of view, not a new creed. Secular humanism is a religion kevin craig liberty. During the last several decades, humanists have been very successful in propagating their beliefs. At a time when religious fundamentalism is gaining adherents worldwide, the declaration defends the separation of church and.
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. 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. Secular humanism defined a secular humanist declaration affirmations of humanism. 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. 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. Later still, a number of the signatories of the second manifesto produced a document called, a secular humanist declaration. 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.
The joining of individuality with interdependence enriches our lives. Secular humanism indeed possesses a unique selling proposition. The document was issued in 1980 by the council for democratic and secular humanism, now the council for secular humanism. Subsequent public declarations, such as a secular humanist declaration 1980, a declaration of interdependence. The argument of this book, therefore, will be of profound interest to all who are concerned for the wellbeing of humanity in todays world. This is one of the greatest political inventions of all time, and utterly unique in the history of humankind. Secular humanists believe in sexual freedom, or premarital recreational sex.
The manifesto originally arose from religious humanism, though secular humanists also signed. Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without supernaturalism. Secular humanism is a worldview held by atheists andor agnostics that promotes the human above all things. 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. 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. The court held that the requirement for such an oath.
The humanists themselves would agree that they adhere to a religious worldview. In 1933, in an effort to combine the thoughts of the western unitarian. At a time when religious fundamentalism is gaining adherents worldwide, the declaration defends the separation of church and state, skepticism about. May 29, 2012 secular humanist and biblical moral codes are at war with each other. 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 principles of secular humanism daniel miessler.
In these cases, the term humanism means a concern for humanistic goals, with the understanding that god is the final solution to mans needs. Secular humanism is comprehensive, touching every aspect of life including issues of values, meaning. This declaration defends only that form of secular humanism which is. The individuals whose signatures appear would, had they been writing individual statements, have stated the. Secular humanism some historical warnings the primary focus of secular humanism is to exclude god from the potential answers in life. 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. This group, the council for democratic and secular humanism codesh, issued a secular humanist declaration at its inception in 1980, proclaiming the nonreligious nature of secular humanism and once again affirming the values traditionally. The intent of this document seems to have been to remove the religious designation from humanism hence the term secular. They are the original humanist manifesto 1933, often referred to as humanist manifesto i, the humanist manifesto ii 1973, and. 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. A secular humanist declaration, the sequel to humanist manifesto i and ii. Religious humanists regard the universe as selfexisting and not created. Humanism believes that man is a part of nature and that he has emerged as the result of a continuous process.
The individuals whose signatures appear would, had they been writing individual. For this reason, the secular humanist defends evolution with the fire of a christian evangelist. The individuals whose signatures appear would, had they been writing individual statements, have stated the propositions in differing terms. The declaration has also raised doubts among some moderate liberals and conservatives. Declarations of humanist organizations, 19332003 a humanist manifesto 1933 p. Apologetics press secular humanism and the reorganization. It is possible to espouse theistic humanism, or even christian humanism. 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. In the last two decades, however, progressive secuansm.
Optimistic secular humanism xenos christian fellowship. Humanist manifesto i 1933 humanist manifesto ii 1973 a secular humanist declaration 1980 a declaration of interdependence. 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 lifestance of humanismguided by reason, inspired by compassion, and informed by experienceencourages us to live life well and fully. Sharlow secular humanism is not a single set of beliefs. 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.
A secular humanist declaration was issued in 1980 by the council for secular humanisms predecessor, codesh. Separating secular humanism and the state summit ministries. 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. It is now under unwarranted and intemperate attack from various quarters. American humanist association humanist manifestos i and ii humanist manifesto i the manifesto is a product of many minds. Humanist manifesto is the title of three manifestos laying out a humanist worldview. As geisler wrote, evolution is the secular humanists way to explain origins. Secular humanism organization can be found in all parts of the world. 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. Sir julian huxley was one of the first to postulate.
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. This declaration defends only that form of secular humanism which is explicitly committed to democracy. Summer and winter solstices are special days for secular humanists, as is charles darwins birthday. 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. 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.
Apparently, to be critical of religion is considered immoral, unpatriotic, or at the very least in bad. 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. The attack on secular humanism occasioned the formation of another, more aggressive, humanist group. The ideal of secular humanism is mankind itself as a part of uncreated, eternal nature. 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. 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.