What is Secular Humanism?
To me secular humanism is the embrace of life here and now. It is the
act of ceaseless inquiry into the world's mysteries and life's
uncertainties. It is the unwillingness to surrender to superstition,
supernaturalism, and any form of theism without proper evidence for
support. It is the act of searching out answers and finding truths
through scientific knowledge and methodology. It is understanding that
there is no room for supernatural explanations for phenomena witnessed
in life, that there is a natural and scientific way of understanding
such phenomena, and that when we reached the limits of scientific
understanding we must be willing to accept that we cannot yet
understand such phenomena while refusing to accept supernatural
explanations without any evidence for support. It is the knowledge
that what we cannot understand or explain today may surely be
understood and explained in the future and to wait for this day rather
than subvert science and embrace irrationality in any form of
supernaturalism. To me secular humanism is saying yes to life here and
now. It is the progress achieved and looked forward to. It is the
undying empathy, unconditional positive regard, and general concern
for the well being of other people and life in general. It is holding
responsibility for ones own actions, it is holding ones self
accountable. It is a rational moral code and guideline for ethical
conduct. It is the endeavor to remediate the world's ills, create a
more peaceful world and existence and attempt to make a cohesive and
tranquil world-state.
To me secular humanism is the challenge to bring about the best of
your abilities, to actualize your potential and develop your potential
to the highest significance possible. It is sharing the love of life
with others, enjoying the company of acquaintances and loved ones
while having the pleasure to do so.
It is the realization that we are all members of the immense human
race; that we all share a common humanity, this being enough reason to
support and protect one another. It is defending human rights when
violated or in jeopardy, whether defending black culture from racist
white supremacy, championing women's equality in a sexist `mans
world', fighting for homosexuals equality in an ever volatile
homophobic environment, to simply upholding common civil liberties
gone amiss. It is making the most out of what you are provided with,
it is making the most of the wonderful opportunity that you are
afforded by having life. It is the knowledge that life is more
precious and delicate than we sometimes believe it to be.
To me being a secular humanist means understanding that there is no
spiritual realm or supernatural existence, and that when you die there
is no continuation of yourself in any form. It is the knowledge that
you are a physical body and that your conscious awareness and
personality are extensions of this physical body through the highly
complex and advanced human brain, that when you die this organ will
deteriorate and dissolve hence your conscious and personal existence
will cease to exist. This knowledge, to me, means that I must make the
most of my life now while I have the fantastic opportunity to do so. I
shouldn't waste my time and opportunity, I shouldn't look towards the
sky and hope for better days, I must make the better days come about
for myself with my own ability and power. When negative situations
happen or obstacles are faced, I should not pray to a supernatural
force that does not exist and sit back hoping this force will
intervene on my behalf, rather I should actively go out and attempt to
rectify and improve the negative situations or overcome the difficult
obstacles with my own human ability.
To me being a secular humanist means making the most of life here and
now, being the best person that I am capable of becoming, helping
others strive to be the best that they can be; working to help create
a citadel of peace and beauty upon this earth, striving to help people
and life in general live a more satisfying and tranquil life. To me
secular humanism is everything that I know, value, respect, cherish,
and love; it is a way of viewing life while at the same time engaging
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