A Concise Statement of Humanism

NZ Humanist Issues 141 1999

• Humanism is a democratic and ethical way of life. It affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives. And the ability within themselves of realizing their aspirations.
• Humanism stands for the building of a more humane society through an ethics (and a search for meaning and values) based on intelligence and the scientific method, democracy and social empathy.
• Humanism contends that: human beings are a part of nature; they have emerged as a result of continuous evolutionary process; their values ? political, ethical, religious and social ? all have their source in human experiences and are the product of their cultures.
• Humanism is not theistic and does not accept supernatural views of reality. It advances reasoned alternatives to religious dogmas.

A Concise Statement is the result of the work of many Humanists who contributed to its formulation.
With the compliments of Sol Gordon of Israel. Jewish Secular Humanist Association in Israel.

• rely on human knowledge and experience
• support democratic, ethical living
• reject supernatural influences
• lobby on social and environmental issues
• organise meetings, discussions and socials
• believe personal autonomy carries social obligations
• network locally and globally
• engage in sport, music and the arts.

With the compliments of the Humanist Society of Victoria Inc. Website http://www.vicnet.net.au/~humanist/welcome.htm
Concise Statement of Humanism Issue 141 June 1999