Are you familiar with the principles of Humanism?
The Twelve Principles of Humanism
At a gathering of the General Assembly of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) at the 50th anniversary World Humanist Congress in 2002, the following 12 principles of Humanism were declared:
1.Humanism aims at the full development of every human being.
2.Humanists uphold the broadest application of democratic principles in all human relationships.
3.Humanists advocate the use of the scientific method, both as a guide to distinguish fact from fiction and to help develop beneficial and creative uses of science and technology.
4.Humanists affirm the dignity of every person and the right of the individual to maximum possible freedom compatible with the rights of others.
5.Humanists acknowledge human interdependence, the need for mutual respect and the kinship of all humanity.
6.Humanists call for the continued improvement of society so that no one may be deprived of the basic necessities of life, and for institutions and conditions to provide every person with opportunities for developing their full potential.
7.Humanists support the development and extension of fundamental human freedoms, as expressed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and supplemented by UN International Covenants comprising the United Nations Bill of Human Rights.
8.Humanists advocate peaceful resolution of conflicts between individuals, groups, and nations.
9.The humanist ethic encourages development of the positive potentialities in human nature, and approves conduct based on a sense of responsibility to oneself and to all other persons.
10.Humanists reject beliefs held in absence of verifiable evidence, such as beliefs based solely on dogma, revelation, mysticism or appeals to the supernatural.
11.Humanists affirm that individual and social problems can only be resolved by means of human reason, intelligent effort, critical thinking joined with compassion and a spirit of empathy for all living beings.
12.Humanists affirm that human beings are completely a part of nature, and that our survival is dependent upon a healthy planet that provides us and all other forms of life with a life-supporting environment.
Are those that follow them likely to burn in hell?
it's more like thanks but no thanks.
How does # 12 trouble you?
Elsie Treize
Yes, I'm familiar with those.
There is no hell and no heaven. All the gods are myths, created by people.
ralph_5772
Wow I guess I'm a humanist then. Except for not being able to say about the UN documents because I haven't read them, this very closely describes my ideas about morality.
Hell is a state of mind that is created when you believe that you will go there unless you believe the right way.
anonymac
Interesting. Beyond item 10, the list appears to me to be entirely compatible with the belief systems of all the major religions.
I don't know what will happen in the afterlife. To be honest, I don't think anybody does, but if a Christian style God exists, I don't think it would object to any of the principles listed above.
Absolute Guess
Yes, since it basically says "God we can do a better job than you, we reject you"
1.Humanism aims at the full development of every human being.
- except spiritual development, because that would be against points 10 and 11. What is full delelopment anyway? The ability to both love and hate?
2.Humanists uphold the broadest application of democratic principles in all human relationships.
- but this is rejected by the time they come to point 10.
3.Humanists advocate the use of the scientific method, both as a guide to distinguish fact from fiction and to help develop beneficial and creative uses of science and technology.
- Nothing wrong with this if they use science to measure the measurable.
4.Humanists affirm the dignity of every person and the right of the individual to maximum possible freedom compatible with the rights of others.
- Ok, this is vague, at least it allows me to believe in God without being judged for it.
5.Humanists acknowledge human interdependence, the need for mutual respect and the kinship of all humanity.
- The second commandment actually goes so far as to say you must love them, not it is necessary only.
6.Humanists call for the continued improvement of society so that no one may be deprived of the basic necessities of life, and for institutions and conditions to provide every person with opportunities for developing their full potential.
- Start off well, then gets undefinable.
7.Humanists support the development and extension of fundamental human freedoms, as expressed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and supplemented by UN International Covenants comprising the United Nations Bill of Human Rights.
- OK
8.Humanists advocate peaceful resolution of conflicts between individuals, groups, and nations.
- And if they disagree?
9.The humanist ethic encourages development of the positive potentialities in human nature, and approves conduct based on a sense of responsibility to oneself and to all other persons.
- What happend to point 1 (full development)? Did somebody see that not all people develop to be good sharing people?
10.Humanists reject beliefs held in absence of verifiable evidence, such as beliefs based solely on dogma, revelation, mysticism or appeals to the supernatural.
- So much for points 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 (7?), and 9. Do they reject things like evolution too since it still isn't a proven theory? (Many things supporting an idea does not prove it, it has to be measurable
11.Humanists affirm that individual and social problems can only be resolved by means of human reason, intelligent effort, critical thinking joined with compassion and a spirit of empathy for all living beings.
- This is a lie, God solved some of my problems, including the ones of not loving people by nature and not having empathy with suffering people.
12.Humanists affirm that human beings are completely a part of nature, and that our survival is dependent upon a healthy planet that provides us and all other forms of life with a life-supporting environment.
- Yes/No. I agree, but if you came from evolution some species would be useless and resource users that does not give something back.
Shawn
I recently discovered that my own beliefs and values were pretty much identical to commonly held Secular Humanist views. Although I had not yet seen this list. Thank you for posting it.
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