The Council for Secular Humanism is the * leading organization for non-religious people. A not-for-profit educational association, the Council supports a wide range of activities to meet the needs of people who find meaning and value in life without looking to a god.

Secular Humanism is a way of thinking and living that aims to bring out the best in people so that all people can have the best in life. Secular humanists reject supernatural and authoritarian beliefs. They affirm that we must take responsibility for our own lives and the communities and world in which we live. Secular humanism emphasizes reason and scientific inquiry, individual freedom and responsibility, human values and compassion, and the need for tolerance and cooperation.

(Ref link : Council for Secular Humanism)

Some people here on this board claim Secular Humanism to be a religion.
The above statement by the Council for Secular Humanism clearly state differently.

Any comments?

.

Note :

* The link refers to the North America's Council for Secular Humanism.

Well obviously if it was a religion it would be sacred humanism, not secular humanism. Try to avoid splitting up into sects and warring factions over this though. That would be bad for you.

Hello Cred:

Of course I got a comment. Have you ever known me to keep my mouth shut?

I suppose I could be described as a secular humanist. I could also be described as just a plain old atheist. Then others might describe me as a non believing Jew. I could be any of those, or I could be none.

What I AM, is a non believer in religion. It doesn't take a group of people banned together for me to be what I am. As a matter of fact, what I am is an anathema to any organized group. In fact, the more organized a group is, the more religious is looks.

This council has books. I spells out a way of thinking that it says "brings out the best in people". It "serves the needs of non religious people". It has conferences and seminars...

In short, it walks like a church, and quacks like a church, all the while saying that it's not a church.

excon

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Originally Posted by excon

Hello Cred:Of course I got a comment. Have you ever known me to keep my mouth shut?

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No, not really! Never actually! Thanks for your views!

:D

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Originally Posted by wildandblue

Well obviously if it was a religion it would be sacred humanism, not secular humanism.

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Thanks for your reaction!

:D

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Originally Posted by excon

This council has books. I spells out a way of thinking that it says "brings out the best in people". It "serves the needs of non religious people". It has conferences and seminars...

In short, it walks like a church, and quacks like a church, all the while saying that it's not a church.

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Looky - it even wants your money like a church Council for Secular Humanism

Hello again,

Even though THIS organization might or might not BE a church, it doesn't make secular humanisim a religion, any more than an understanding of evolution makes someone a scientist.

excon

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Originally Posted by excon

.... it doesn't make secular humanisim a religion, any more than an understanding of evolution makes someone a scientist.

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Indeed!!

"The most critical irony in dealing with Modern Humanism is the inability of its advocates to agree on whether or not this worldview is religious. Those who see it as philosophy are the Secular Humanists while those who see it as religion are Religious Humanists. This dispute has been going on since the early years of this century when the secular and religious traditions converged and brought Modern Humanism into existence."

Fred Edwords in "What Is Humanism?" (1989)

:rolleyes:

In that regard, it is very "religious."

How many doctrinal issues and splits have their been in Christianity?

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Council Activities Include

Championing the Rights and Beliefs of Secular Humanists
The Council for Secular Humanism campaigns for a more secular and ethical society. It presents the case for understanding the world without reference to a god, and works to separate Church and State and defend the rights of people who do not accept religious beliefs.

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So the belief is non-belief in God. ;)

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Giving a Moral and Intellectual Lead
The Council for Secular Humanism promotes rational, human-based viewpoints on important social and ethical issues. In particular, it tackles issues where traditional religion obstructs the right to self-determination, for example, freedom of choice in sexual relationships. Reproduction, and voluntary euthanasia. The Council also promotes critical thinking about supernatural and paranormal claims. The Council conducts research, issues statements, and brings together leading thinkers for conferences and seminars.

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Hmm... moral and intellectual lead... this is what you are suppose to believe and how you are to think... sounds religious to me.


Just giving you a hard time Cred

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Originally Posted by inthebox

So the belief is non-belief in God

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Not really. It is based on the lack of objective supported evidence for the existence of god.
The religious claims that god exists and that god is the creator has still not been objectively proved by any theist, so why should a Secular Humanist assume that to be "true"? The default is that nothing "is" until proven. No "belief" involved or required !

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Originally Posted by inthebox

Hmm... moral and intellectual lead...this is what you are suppose to believe and how you are to think...sounds religious to me

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There is a clear difference between general belief (as in for instance moral-ethical, philosophical, and/or political views) and supra-natural claims. Only the last ones can be called religious.

:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by excon

As a matter of fact, what I am is an anathema to any organized group. In fact, the more organized a group is, the more religious is looks.

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Yeah, it's been my experience that people in groups behave about the same no matter what the stated purpose of the group is. I think you're right. If the essence of religion is to emphasize the difference between US and THEM, most organizations would qualify.

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Originally Posted by ordinaryguy

If the essence of religion is to emphasize the difference between US and THEM, most organizations would qualify.

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But that is not the essence of religion.
It guess that the true essence of religion is the inner need by most people for the feeling of security , the hope on seeing back all those who we loved and have fallen away during out lifetime, and to counter the fear for the unknown, specially for death.

:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Credendovidis

But that is not the essence of religion.
It guess that the true essence of religion is the inner need by most people for the feeling of security , the hope on seeing back all those who we loved and have fallen away during out lifetime, and to counter the fear for the unknown, specially for death.

:rolleyes:

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Nah, it's the need to feel special, chosen, one of the elect. Just about any organization will do. Mensa is one of the best.

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Originally Posted by ordinaryguy

Nah, it's the need to feel special, chosen, one of the elect. Just about any organization will do. Mensa is one of the best.

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Not true. I have been Mensa member for many years. I have no need to feel special. I feel not chosen. I feel not elected. And surely no members I know feel their Mensa membership as something religious or related to religion.

:rolleyes:

Mensa, demensia who cares. Is there a secret handshake? How about a club tie? That will bring them in.

ASPCA is always looking for members. They could use the extra money to help all the animals that they take in. They will send you a really cool sticker to put on your car.
They make me feel real special, never make me feel stoopid or tell me I'm going to hell :eek:. You never have to attend a meeting.
ASPCA: Register

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Originally Posted by wildandblue

Mensa, demensia who cares. Is there a secret handshake? How bout a club tie? That will bring them in.

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How about Densa, for people with low IQ's? It would put the "special" in "Special Education".

And since ther're more of us than there are of them, we rule!

I have been a Secular Humanist for about a year and a half-officially and declared. I do "belong" to Paul Kurtz's organization; he is one of my favorite human beings, I just love him.

One of the big problems of secular humanist groups is that it is very difficult to get non-god believers to agree on anything! There are always differences on issues and values because everyone thinks for him or herself. Your general summary does apply to all secular humanist, and I thank you for posting. :)

Anyway, since Secular Humanism rules out the Supernatural, it really isn't a religion. It is barely even a club or group! In AMerica, lots of Secular Humanists fly under the radar by going to church... only for business reasons, in my opinion.

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Originally Posted by Credendovidis

The Council for Secular Humanism is the * leading organization for non-religious people. A not-for-profit educational association, the Council supports a wide range of activities to meet the needs of people who find meaning and value in life without looking to a god.

Secular Humanism is a way of thinking and living that aims to bring out the best in people so that all people can have the best in life. Secular humanists reject supernatural and authoritarian beliefs. They affirm that we must take responsibility for our own lives and the communities and world in which we live. Secular humanism emphasizes reason and scientific inquiry, individual freedom and responsibility, human values and compassion, and the need for tolerance and cooperation.

(Ref link : Council for Secular Humanism)

Some people here on this board claim Secular Humanism to be a religion.
The above statement by the Council for Secular Humanism clearly state differently.

Any comments?

.

Note :

* The link refers to the North America's Council for Secular Humanism.

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How many types of humanism are there and what makes "secular" humanism superior to the others?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Credendovidis

The Council for Secular Humanism is the * leading organization for non-religious people. A not-for-profit educational association, the Council supports a wide range of activities to meet the needs of people who find meaning and value in life without looking to a god.

Secular Humanism is a way of thinking and living that aims to bring out the best in people so that all people can have the best in life. Secular humanists reject supernatural and authoritarian beliefs. They affirm that we must take responsibility for our own lives and the communities and world in which we live. Secular humanism emphasizes reason and scientific inquiry, individual freedom and responsibility, human values and compassion, and the need for tolerance and cooperation.

(Ref link : Council for Secular Humanism)

Some people here on this board claim Secular Humanism to be a religion.
The above statement by the Council for Secular Humanism clearly state differently.

Any comments?

.

Note :

* The link refers to the North America's Council for Secular Humanism.

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The Church of Reality is a religion based on the practice of Realism, which means believing in everything that is real.
Church of Reality

What relationship does this Church of Reality hold with the Council of Secular Humanism?
Church of Reality