Less Atheism, More Humanism

[rug]

Posted: 25/12/2012 00:00
Chris Price

Atheism is a dirty word. But not as dirty, apparently, as humanism.

Recently published census data shows that the number of non-religious people in England and Wales has risen from 15 to 25% in the past ten years. Never mind that the actual figure is probably a good deal higher than that (the leading question 'What is your religion?' causes many non-believing cultural Anglicans to self-identify as Christian), six million more people ticking the 'no religion' box is still a huge number. If you were one of them, and you're someone who goes about their life trying hard to 'do the right thing', welcome along - you're a humanist.

Humanists are broadly defined as non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. They believe that this life is the only one we have, trust in the scientific method and place human welfare at the heart of their ethical decision-making. Put simply, it's about being 'good without God'. Sounds like something we can all get on board with, right? To judge by the census data, 'humanism' is a word we'll be hearing a lot more in the coming years. But to judge by the frequency with which the so-called New Atheists use it on the book tour and lecture circuit, identifying as a humanist is about as cool as admitting to being a Trekkie.

One of the things I enjoy doing most in my spare time is listening to or attending debates in which rationalists dismantle the arguments of religious apologists. Stephen Fry and Christopher Hitchens did a particularly fine job on the Catholic Church a few years back; earlier this month Lawrence Krauss and Michael Shermer gave Dinesh D'Souza and Ian Hutchinson a similar drubbing on the subject of science and God; and on a recent trip to Australia, Richard Dawkins summarily dispensed with the confused and self-contradictory ramblings of the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal Pell. It's compelling viewing, and I must say it's very sporting of the religious to keep jumping into the barrel for Fry and friends to start shooting.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/christopher-price/less-atheism-more-humanism_b_2356486.html

[In_The_Wind]

1. Humanism. There's a nice sound to the word.

[cbayer]

2. Sometimes fighting bigotry requires that we change the language.

I think this may be his most cogent argument here:

But atheism is a denial of something, not an affirmation. If we unbelievers - we humanists - want to bring new friends on board, we need to offer people something to gravitate towards, not away from. Put another way, anyone who lists only their dislikes on a dating website isn't going on many dates.

[mr blur]

3. I'm an atheist and a member of the BHA,

makes me double "dirty", I suppose.

Trying to live an ethical and fulfilling life. Other than being rude to theists (which, over here at least, is not a crime) I like to think I'm succeeding. Then again, who doesn't?

A while ago, a good friend and neighbour of ours died soon after a diagnosis of cancer. He "had no time" for religion (many British people say the same) and didn't want a "religious" funeral. We contacted a Humanist "Celebrant" and he told us that many people who would never identify themselves as Humanists feel the same.

Thanks for the interesting link.

[cbayer]

4. There are organizations here that are promoting and certifying Humanist Celebrants as well.

There was recently an article about that posted in this group that brought up some interesting discussions about whether humanism can or should be considered a religion in some ways.

A question for you, though. Do you think being rude to theists the ethical thing to do? If so, why? What does it accomplish?

[skepticscott]

7. Do you mean "rude"

in the way that calling creationists "a bunch of dumbasses" is rude? Was that ethical of you? Did it accomplish anything? Other than to let you proclaim "See? I'm not like those other people!"?

[xfundy]

5. It's Mister Gruff, the atheist goat!

Haven't seen him in years. THANKS!

[dimbear]

6. Never have really liked that word, humanism. Speciesist. Also humans are a bad sort.

Prefer something that honors the whole planet and all its inhabitants, like the folks who follow Gaea.

[Warren Stupidity]

8. Isn't that just planetist?

[dimbear]

9. I admit it. Baby steps. n/t

[tama]

10. I'm a "humanist"

in terms of academic background - studied language and culture. The "math club" types of the Natural Sciences seemed usually bit nerdy compared to us fluently discussing (and drinking) humanists.

And now these "Humanists" worship the theories of the math club nerds and consider "po-mo" abomination. Veery confusing...