I rarely talk about religion, and that's because I strongly know that no organized "typical" religion is for me. I wondered for awhile where i belonged in this world of faith, because I just can't believe that anyone religion is right, at least not for me. I have spent a lot of time researching and asking questions about all kinds of religions, trying to understand why individuals can put so much trust in them or feel the need for them. What I have found is that I am a secular humanist. Most people don't know what that is, so this is the best description i could find tonight. I'll probably never post about religion again because if anything I have learned in life is; don't discuss religion, money or politics with friends and family. But, everyone else post about what they believe in, so here is what I believe in.
What Is Secular Humanism?
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.
