What is secular Humanism?

The British Humanist Association states that:

"Humanism, is, in a nutshell,:

1. Putting human beings and other living things at the centre of your moral outlook.
   
   
2. Seeing the world as a natural place and looking to science and reason to make sense of it.
   
   
3. Promoting and supporting human flourishing across all frontiers, and championing human rights for everyone.

and that's about it."

Secular Humanism is a non-theistically based philosophy which promotes humanity as the measure of all things. It had its roots in the rationalism of the 18th Century and the free thought movement of the 19th Century.

Some factors that most Humanists share:

	Either they do not believe in the existence of a deity, or have no opinion, or find the topic devoid of meaning.
	They believe that excellent codes of behavior and morality can be created through reason.
	They believe that humans created the many thousands of Gods and Goddesses who have been worshipped now and in the past, in their own image.
	They are very concerned about human rights and equal opportunities for all.
	They tend to be at the liberal end of the spectrum on such controversial topics as abortion access; equal rights for gays, lesbians, and bisexuals; transgender persons and transsexuals (GLBT); same-sex marriage, physician assisted suicide, separation of church and state, etc.

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Topics covered in this section:

• Introduction: Types of Humanism. Humanist Manifestos. Famous Humanists
  
  
• Practical matters: Secularism in the schools. Ethics without a God. Is it a religion?
  
  
• Books about Humanism
  
  
• Humanist news feed; books for children and teens; organizations; periodicals; related essays

Note:

1. This is the International Humanist and Ethical Union's official symbol for Humanism. It has become the universal symbol referring to Humanists and Humanism (a.k.a. Secular Humanism).

Related essays on this web site:

	Humanistic Judaism
	Designed Humanism
	Unitarian Universalism

Copyright © 1996 to 2018 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 1996-SEP-2
Latest update: 2018-JUN-02
Author: B.A. Robinson

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