Next
Humanism: a philosophical and literary movement in which man and his capabilities are the central concern. The term was originally restricted to a point of view prevalent among thinkers in the Renaissance. The distinctive characteristics of Renaissance humanism were its emphasis on classical studies, or the humanities, and a conscious return to classical ideals and forms. The movement led to a restudy of the Scriptures and gave impetus to the Reformation. The term humanist is applied to such diverse men as Giovanni Boccaccio, Petrarch, Lorenzo Valla, Lorenzo de' Medici, Erasmus, and Thomas More. In the 20th cent., F. C. S. Schiller and Irving Babbitt applied the term to their own thought. Modern usage of the term has had diverse meanings, but some contemporary emphases are on lasting human values, cultivation of the classics, and respect for scientific knowledge. (www.encyclopedia.com)
4. Philos.a variety of ethical theory and practice that emphasizes reason, scientific inquiry, and human fulfillment in the natural world and often rejects the importance of belief in God. (http://www.infoplease.com/ipd/A0481732.html)
Secular Humanism is the most prominent branch of Humanism and being that it is grounded in secular philosophy by rejecting supernaturalism, it fundamentally conflicts with religious belief. Secularism may or may not be opposed to religion per se, but as a social movement it is especially concerned with religious law, whereby a strict doctrine is imposed upon the citizenry dismissing the concept and practice of freedom of religion. Regarding political matters, Secular Humanism seeks to keep the government separate from the influence of any particular religion in order that rules developed under secularism may be universally applied.
Secular Humanism can be (over) simplified thus:
Humans matter and can solve human problems
Science, free speech, rational thought, democracy and freedom in the arts go together
There is no supernatural
There are now nine Humanist Manifestos and Declarations:
Humanist Manifesto I(http://www.americanhumanist.org/about/manifesto1.html) (1933)
Humanist Manifesto II(http://www.americanhumanist.org/about/manifesto2.html) (1973)
A Secular Humanist Declaration(http://www.secularhumanism.org/intro/declaration.html) (1980)
A Declaration of Interdependence(http://www.iheu.org/resolutions/resolutions_worldpolicy.html#globalethics) (1988)
IHEU Minimum Statement on Humanism(http://www.iheu.org/minimum_statement.html) (1996)
Humanist Manifesto 2000: A Call for a New Planetary Humanism(http://www.secularhumanism.org/manifesto/index.htm) (2000) condensed version
The Affirmations of Humanism: A Statement of Principles(http://www.secularhumanism.org/intro/affirmations.html)
Amsterdam Declaration(http://humaniststudies.org/humphil.html) (July 2002)
Humanist Manifesto III (Humanism And Its Aspirations)(http://www.americanhumanist.org/3/HumandItsAspirations.htm) (2003)
The two individuals who have done the most to promote Secular Humanism in the 20th Century are Dr. Paul Kurtz and Gene Roddenberry. Secular Humanism often finds itself in conflict with Christian fundamentalism, especially over the issue of state involvement in religion. Secular Humanists tend to see Christian fundamentalists as superstitious and regressive, while Christian fundamentalists tend to see Secular Humanists as the work of Satan as a means to direct society away from God. Secular Humanists counter that religious factionism will never be a solution to human problems, and claim Humanist principles are adequate to address the same issues as religious principles (for example, ethics and morals). (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular_humanism)
See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_humanism
Humanism is an ethos, attitude, or way of life centered on human interests or values, stressing an individual's dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason and other human skills. It usually rejects supernaturalism, but some religious people consider themselves humanists.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanism.
Back
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.