Humanism

HISTORY

Although Humanist thought has a long intellectual tradition going back many centuries, Humanism as a contemporary Philosophy of Life is still very much a work a progress. It has no received dogma. Most Humanists, however, would support the following principles as key elements of a specifically Humanist Way of Life:

• We neither fear judgement, nor expect reward, in an afterlife. We aim to find meaning and purpose in the One Life we have.

• We recognise that ethics are properly founded on human nature and shared human experience, not on supernatural revelation.

• We value knowledge and rational enquiry. We aim to meet challenges facing humankind by using science and technology in a responsible manner.

• We value and support secular democratic societies in which human rights and civil liberties are protected, first and foremost freedom of belief and freedom of expression.

• We aim for cooperation with all human beings to promote the common good of all humankind, regardless of age, gender, race, nationality, status or belief.

A key feature of modern day Humanism are non-religious ceremonies, such as Humanist funerals, weddings and naming ceremonies. For a list of celebrants in our area, please contact Humanists UK.