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I don't understand what exactly Secular Humanism is
February 13, 2013 at 7:35 pm
(This post was last modified: February 13, 2013 at 7:36 pm by pop_punks_not_dead.)
My friend sent me a link to this Are You a Humanist quiz from the BHA website and it came up like 98% so apparently I am one.
I don't understand what it is. Is it just some good morals people should implement day to day or something?
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RE: I don't understand what exactly Secular Humanism is
February 13, 2013 at 7:41 pm
It means you're not religious but give a shit about morality and stuff.
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RE: I don't understand what exactly Secular Humanism is
February 13, 2013 at 7:43 pm
(This post was last modified: February 13, 2013 at 7:43 pm by pop_punks_not_dead.)
(February 13, 2013 at 7:41 pm)Zone Wrote: It means you're not religious but give a shit about morality and stuff.
Oh okay, so I guess most atheists would be one then.
I just thought it was a posh term for atheist
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RE: I don't understand what exactly Secular Humanism is
February 13, 2013 at 7:45 pm
We are lucky enought to live in an era in which information and knowlege is as freely available as ever before:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular_humanism
Quote:The philosophy or life stance secular humanism (alternatively known by some adherents as Humanism, specifically with a capital H to distinguish it from other forms of humanism) embraces human reason, ethics, social justice and philosophical naturalism, whilst specifically rejecting religious dogma, supernaturalism, pseudoscience or superstition as the basis of morality and decision making.
Use that opertunity 
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RE: I don't understand what exactly Secular Humanism is
February 13, 2013 at 10:23 pm
Which is not to say that religious people can't be secular humanists, some are.
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RE: I don't understand what exactly Secular Humanism is
February 22, 2013 at 8:49 pm
(This post was last modified: February 22, 2013 at 8:52 pm by NomenMihiNon.)
(February 13, 2013 at 10:23 pm)apophenia Wrote:
Which is not to say that religious people can't be secular humanists, some are.
I suggested just that to my liberal Catholic sister when I was trying to explain the meaning of the term. I asked her, if she were shown irrefutable proof that there is no god and no afterlife, would that change anything? Would she stop giving to food banks, or stop resisting the urge to throttle her son when he throws a tantrum? Her reply: of course not.
Humanism just means that your morals are based on empathy for your fellow humans (and other sentient species as well), on doing what's right for its own sake rather than to avoid punishment and receive a reward, regardless of whether or not you have supernatural beliefs. As Abraham Lincoln (who was not an atheist) said, "When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That is my religion."
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RE: I don't understand what exactly Secular Humanism is
February 22, 2013 at 9:16 pm
To put it succinctly, a secular humanist is someone who views the nature and well being of humanity through a non-religious philosophy. Secular humanism looks into the ways in which the human race might be bettered, or better cared for, through reasoned study of its habits and needs.
As to exactly how this can be achieved has been a subject of debate since the high middle ages when what might accurately be called the first humanists began a movement in opposition to the Catholic-led ecclesiastical look on humanity, which focuses upon what the purpose of the human race is, and how it might be bettered in relation, and in deference, to the Abrahamic god.
This circumstance has, unfortunately, led to many theistic-minded people to view secular humanism as a counter-force, much in the same way that others view the Big Bang Theory, and the Theory of Evolution, to be in opposition to their beliefs.
This is not necessarily true, as christians and other theists can be evolutionists, secular humanists, or big bangers as well.
Heh... big bangers.
If you believe it, question it. If you question it, get an answer. If you have an answer, does that answer satisfy reality? Does it satisfy you? Probably not. For no one else will agree with you, not really.
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RE: I don't understand what exactly Secular Humanism is
February 22, 2013 at 9:26 pm
(February 22, 2013 at 9:16 pm)Question Mark Wrote: To put it succinctly, a secular humanist is someone who views the nature and well being of humanity through a non-religious philosophy. Secular humanism looks into the ways in which the human race might be bettered, or better cared for, through reasoned study of its habits and needs.
As to exactly how this can be achieved has been a subject of debate since the high middle ages when what might accurately be called the first humanists began a movement in opposition to the Catholic-led ecclesiastical look on humanity, which focuses upon what the purpose of the human race is, and how it might be bettered in relation, and in deference, to the Abrahamic god.
This circumstance has, unfortunately, led to many theistic-minded people to view secular humanism as a counter-force, much in the same way that others view the Big Bang Theory, and the Theory of Evolution, to be in opposition to their beliefs.
This is not necessarily true, as christians and other theists can be evolutionists, secular humanists, or big bangers as well.
Heh... big bangers.
He said "bangers"....huh huh...huh
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." -Einstein
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