What is Secular Humanism?
Secular humanism is a philosophical and ethical stance that embraces human reason, ethics, and justice, and rejects religious dogma, supernaturalism, and superstition as the basis of morality and decision-making.
Key beliefs of secular humanism include:
- Using science, reason and critical thinking as the basis of understanding reality rather than religious doctrine or faith.
- Promoting ethical values like empathy, compassion, and justice without reliance on religious texts or teachings. Morality is determined through rational discussion of consequences.
- Viewing human beings as responsible for their own lives and situations, as opposed to being governed by supernatural forces, gods or divine beings.
- Focusing on living life in the here and now, rather than believing this life is just a test for an afterlife. Secular humanists place importance on maximizing well-being in the real, physical world.
- Rejecting absolute guidelines for morality. Secular humanists support an open and evolving view of ethics and morality based on rational discussion of consequences rather than appeals to religious authority.
So in summary, secular humanism is a philosophy that embraces reason, ethics, and human welfare, without appeals to religious belief or doctrine.
🤖 AI answer by Claude 1.2.
📝 Edited by @rafe@c.im