What is Humanism?
By Mike Mathews

        Historically, the term Humanism has been used in many different ways:  Renaissance–, Cultural–, Philosophical–, Christian–, and Naturalistic– (or Modern–) Humanism.  We are concerned here with Naturalistic Humanism.
        Naturalistic Humanism is a system of ideas that deals with concepts of reality and ethics and how these relate to our daily life.  As the term naturalistic suggests, modern humanists are devoted to finding the answers to life’s “big questions” through empirical investigation rather than revelation.  The supernatural, in all its forms, is seen as having no value. The modern humanist rejects concepts such as God (or gods), the eternal soul, fairies, brownies, leprechauns, elves, etc.
        There are two types of modern humanism: secular and religious.  Not surprisingly, the religious bunch sees humanism as a religion while the secular group thinks of it as more of a philosophy.  Put simply, religious humanists go to church, and secular humanists do not. Religious humanists find value in being part or a community of supportive, like-minded individuals.
        The precepts of humanism have been codified at least three times during the past century.  The first was put together in 1933 by a diverse group of thinkers under the nominal leadership of Raymond Bragg, the minister at All Souls Unitarian Church in Kansas City, MO.  It was called A Humanist Manifesto.  The reverend Bragg had this to say about the document: 
        “The Manifesto is a product of many minds. It was designed to represent a developing point of view, not a new creed. The individuals whose signatures appear would, had they been writing individual statements, have stated the propositions in differing terms. The importance of the document is that more than thirty men have come to general agreement on matters of final concern and that these men are undoubtedly representative of a large number who are forging a new philosophy out of the materials of the modern world.”
        In 1973 a group, including some of the signers of the original Humanist Manifesto met to create a more up-to-date version, known as Humanist Manifesto II.  Paul Kurtz and Edwin H. Wilson had this to say:
        “As in 1933, humanists still believe that traditional theism, especially faith in the prayer-hearing God, assumed to live and care for persons, to hear and understand their prayers, and to be able to do something about them, is an unproved and outmoded faith. Salvationism, based on mere affirmation, still appears as harmful, diverting people with false hopes of heaven hereafter. Reasonable minds look to other means for survival.
        Those who sign Humanist Manifesto II disclaim that they are setting forth a binding credo; their individual views would be stated in widely varying ways. This statement is, however, reaching for vision in a time that needs direction. It is social analysis in an effort at consensus. New statements should be developed to supersede this, but for today it is our conviction that humanism offers an alternative that can serve present-day needs and guide humankind toward the future.”
        Again, in 2003, updated Humanist Manifesto III was created. A simple statement of the basic tenets of modern humanism would be:

1. placing the human being as the central value and concern
2. affirming the equality of all people and striving for truly equality of opportunity for all
3. valuing personal and cultural diversity and condemning all forms of discrimination
4. encouraging the development of knowledge beyond limitations accepted as "truths"
5. affirming the freedom of ideas and beliefs
6. rejecting all forms of violence, including economic, racial, religious, sexual and other forms of violence.

        It is interesting to compare these tenets with the seven principals of the Unitarian-Universalist Association.  Considering the prominent position that the denomination has taken in the development of humanism during the past century, similarities should come as no surprise:

1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2. Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement of spiritual growth;
4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5. The right of conscience and the use of democratic processes;
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7. Reverence for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

        For those interested in additional, more complete information about Modern Humanism I suggest the following links:

A Humanist Manifesto I: http://www.americanhumanist.org/about/manifesto1.html
A Humanist Manifesto II: http://www.americanhumanist.org/about/manifesto2.html
Unitarian-Universalist Association: http://www.uua.org/