Just made this video for youtube - thought I would share it here. I've been thinking about this for the past few days because of a discussion I had on Sunday in Miami. A member of the Atheist movement was adamant that Humanism is a subset of Atheism and while I am an atheist, I just don't agree with that. To me, Humanism is more apatheist than atheist. Let me know what you think.
Helping Japan - as Humanists
SHARE: Secular Humanists Aid and Relief Effort is collecting money to give to Doctors without Borders. 100% of money donated will be passed through to Doctors without Borders which is a secular organization. Ton donate visit the campaign page at: https://secure3.convio.net/cfi/site/Donation2?df_id=2000&2000.donation=form1&JServSessionIdr004=qlz8k55cm7.app334b
Foundation Beyond Belief: Foundation Beyond Belief has already donated over $5,000 to relief efforts. Their money is being passed through to the Japanese Red Cross - to donate through Foundation Beyond Belief go to: http://foundationbeyondbelief.org/node/681
Humanist Charities: This project by the American Humanist Association is collecting money for relief efforts in Japan, but is still working with their contacts in the country to decide how best to send direct aid. You can donate to their efforts here: http://www.humanistcharities.org/ Or if you prefer, they also suggest donating to Doctors without Borders and the American Red Cross which are both on the ground already in Japan. Links on their website.
Dogma Free
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| The staff of the AHA |
This is incredibly important because Humanism has no dogma. We are dogma free. What that means is that you don’t have to believe the same things that Humanists do. However, if you do, you are probably a Humanist.
So, what is it that we Humanists do believe? Well, here is the list according to Humanism and its Aspirations. I encourage you to read the entire document for full details.
- Science is the best method for determining knowledge
- Humans are an integral part of nature
- Our values are grounded in human welfare
- Life's fulfillment emerges from individual participation in the service of humane ideals
- Humans are social by nature and find meaning in relationships, and
- Working to benefit society maximizes individual happiness
Ancient Humanism
Regardless, I wanted to highlight an ancient Humanist philosophy so you can understand why I say it arises in every culture and in every time. One of the nine major philosophies taught in India’s schools is Lokayat. Lokayat, also known as Carvaka, goes back at least to the 6th century BCE, though its origins are probably much older then that. It is the only philosophy of the nine that rejects gods, souls, after lives and an ethics based on judgment in the after life. Most of what we know about it comes from the attacks made on it by individuals who followed other philosophies. Their main complaint was that Lokayat focused on human happiness as it’s main goal. Sound familiar?
My friend Ramendra Nath, in his work Some Reflections on Ethics, has a great chapter on this philosophy that is a must read for anyone interested in Humanism. In it he says:
“According to Lokayat, this world is the only world, this life is the only life, and one should make the best of it. One should not run away from life just because pleasure in life is mixed with pain.”To read more about Lokayat - visit Dr. Ramendra’s ebook available at the Buddiwadi Foundation website - http://www.buddhiwadi.org/lokayat.htm
Or see the wikipedia article on this philosophy - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C4%81rv%C4%81ka
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