Humanism

[Aimz]

It's a tough one for me to answer Nae, knowing what you have been through this year. I don't want to discredit your beliefs at all. But it's a really good question and one that can be answered.

Humanists don't believe in Heaven or Hell or that there is a place after death where people's spirits go. Humanists also do not believe in reincarnation. But I wouldn't put it as insignificant as they just become food for the worms. It is actually a lot more than that. Humanists believe that a person's influence can remain long after they are gone. Kind of like when you throw a pebble across the surface of a pond - the ripples remain long after the pebble has sunk to the bottom. Each person leaves their mark on another and long after they are gone their effect on the world carries on in other people.

The effect that your little girl had on you has changed you. And because of that you will affect somebody else - and so it continues.

And just a side note - Humanists believe that this is the only life humans beings have and that we must strive to make it as worthwhile and happy as possible, for ourselves and others. Humanists believe that human beings must face the problems of this world without the prospect of supernatural help. Therefore we do not believe in an after life of any kind but strive to make THIS LIFE the best it can be.

[Aimz]

A few passages I have found that I would like to share...

Charles Francis Potter On Humanism
Originally published in 1930
Language updated in 1994

Old: God created the world and humanity.
New: The world and humanity evolved.

Old: Hell is a place of eternal torment for the wicked.
New: Suffering is the natural result of breaking the laws of right living.

Old: Heaven is the place where good people go when they die.
New: Doing right brings its own satisfaction.

Old: The chief end of humanity is to glorify God.
New: The chief end of humanity is to improve ourselves, as individuals and as the human race.

Old: Religion has to do with the supernatural.
New: Religion has to do with the natural; the so-called supernatural is only the not-yet-understood natural.

Old: Humankind is inherently evil and a worm of the dust.
New: Humankind is inherently good and has infinite possibilities.

Old: Humankind should submit to the will of God.
New: Humankind should not submit to injustice or suffering without protest and should endeavor to remove its causes.

Old: Salvation comes from outside humanity.
New: Improvement comes from within. No person or god can save another person.

Old: The ideas of sin, salvation, redemption, prayer, and worship are important.
New: These ideas are unimportant.

Old: The truth is to be found in one religion only.
New: There are truths in all religions and outside of religion.

And this one which I absolutely LOVE...

The Humanist rarely loses the feeling of at-homeness in the universe. The Humanist is conscious of being an earth-child. There is a mystic glow in this sense of belonging. Memories of one's long ancestry still linger in muscle and nerve, in brain and germ cell. On moonlit nights, in the renewal of life in the springtime, before the glory of a sunset, in moments of swift insight, people feel the community of their own physical being with the body of mother earth. Rooted in millions of years of planetary history, the earthling has a secure feeling of being at home, and a consciousness of pride and dignity as a bearer of the heritage of the ages.

[suse]

Amy, I had to share the love, but just wanted to let you know that I thought you answered Nae's question so beautifully.

[NaeNae]

Amy, I had to share the love, but just wanted to let you know that I thought you answered Nae's question so beautifully.

I agree whole heartedly - she did a great job with the question i am not known for my sublty

amysarah - I love that quote that you love its beautiful no matter what your beliefs are

[Aimz]

Nae - I believe that whatever makes you happy and whatever gets you through each day is something to hold on tight to. Whether it holds up with a particular belief system or not is irrelevant. It's what is important to you that counts.

That last quote is beautiful - and one that truely represents what I am about. I think anyone of any religion can relate to it.

Thanks Suse

I was talking to my Dad last night about Humanism and othe religions and he reminded me of something that happened when I was younger. As I mentioned above, in primary school as an 8 year old I elected to sit out of the religious education classes. I did this of my own accord - despite my two best friends staying for the class. My Dad said that it takes a lot of courage for an 8 year old to seperate yourself from your friends. My friends would ask me why I didn't believe in God and each time I would reply "I don't believe in God. I believe in myself." This was long before I even knew about Humanism and before I had even established what my belief system was. It really was apart of me even at that age.