So What is Secular Humanism?

Although most people in the USA would not recognize the International Humanist and Ethical Union’s (IHEU) symbol of the Happy Human, as with any organization it is necessary to have some kind of distinguishing logo. This non-gendered human has it’s bat-shaped arms and legs thrusting in a life-affirming “Yippee!!!”. As opposed to the ubiquitous cross of Christianity which symbolizes a crucified martyr, hammered up in a T-shaped pose. Now, which one is more appealing to me?



The raised arms of the happy human could be construed as a human being under-siege from the attacks of religious fundamentalists. The humanist's logo could actually be an Evangelical preacher pointing a crucifix, like a gun, at the ‘hapless’ human with its wretched arms up in fear. You could put any religious symbol in the crucifix’s place; It could be Islam’s sickle, or even L. Ron Hubbard’s thetan testing machine attached to the nipples of the ‘zappy’ human. As we all know, fear sells when ignorance flourishes.



I have come to find that Secular Humanists are not trusted by conservative Christians because they deny the savior, the super-natural, and are guilty of self-love. Self-love has a masturbation connotation, which is something that no conservative Christian would ever admit to; unless they're caught. I'm sure they've got a camp for those offenders. The 'Idle Hands are the Devils Playthings' Camp. Lights out at bedtime must be a real drag.

Many of the scientific discoveries over the last 200 years have push the super-naturalistic brand names to the side lines of understanding our physical universe. We have found absolutely no evidence of an entity or creator in all of our endeavors, let alone that said creator is interested in meddling in human affairs. But the fundamentalists, have thought that when they didn't understand it then it's Gods will, or an act of God. As Bill o'Reilly would say 'Tide comes in, tide goes out; never a miscommunication'. The short and simple answer is ‘God did it, now don’t ask anymore questions’. The Christian right-wing leaders are not dumb when it comes to misinforming their church goers. They will use free-from-reality thinking to perpetuate ancient myths and superstitions of our world as 'fact'. The word 'truth' means nothing anymore, it's all relative these days. Stephen Colbert and his crack comedy writing team came up with the perfect word for this; 'Truthiness'. As Wikipedia states it' Truthiness is a "truth" that a person claims to know intuitively "from the gut" without regard to evidence, logic, intellectual examination, or facts.' What a great new word for our Humansist lexicon. Truthiness  perfectly describes the way people obfuscate inconvenient scientific discoveries, both material and theoretical; What happens when the unstoppable force of reason and progress meet with the immovable object of religious dogma?

So, now that I have joined the AHA and Center of Inquiry, and recognize myself as a person with a Humanist philosophy, (with a helping nudge from the Christian right wing, and to Greg Epstein's wonderful book 'Good Without God'), I can no longer keep quiet. I have to be part of a group that pushes back on the religious right-wing's attempt to encroach into our public school curriculum and excessivly push their agenda in public life. I cannot be alone in my reaction to them, so I have to stand with a group that represents my philosophy and passion. That group seems to be Humanist.

Pushed into the arms of the Happy Human

Rejoice! Praise Humanity! I finally became a paying member of the American Humanist Association, and the Center for Inquiry in Los Angeles. As a non-believer/atheist/freethinker (I didn't have a simple word to describe what I believe until now), I had a problem joining any organization that would have me as a member. I am not sure we all feel like this, but is belonging to a group a freethinkers nightmare? Yes! Humanists are a group, now try and organize us. Someone is going to resist, just to show independence, and demonstrate the art of free-thought. We may have to resort to cattle prods to regain control of a meeting (but aren't we against torture?). Every question brings with it a whole plethora of other questions waiting inside of it, like an infinite Russian doll. Should we have tea? What kind? How much? Do we pass the hat and ask for a tithe? Then the meeting begins, and the questions never cease.

My “born-again” moment (please give me artistic license with that phrase) as a Secular Humanist did not come with any fanfare that one would expect at an Evangelical establishment. When a poor soul gets saved at a church, there is music, lights and a congregation of previously saved souls praying for you and with you. For a brief moment you are placed at the center of attention, the center of the Universe, and the center of God's affection. If only for a short while. Contrary to the believers conversion experience, mine was a lonely affair. There was no charismatic preacher pushing me down, driving Satan from my sinful soul; but I did rollover and click a shopping cart link on the AHA website. I did not submit to Jesus, but I gave over my credit card details (at least the level of protection assured by the security of the website was more tangible than what the good lord can offer me). I didn't receive divine revelation, but I was sent a confirmation email offering a dry congratulations and a 'thank you' for contributing.

I feel no different than I had before the transaction took place. So what now? Am I supposed to spread the 'good news' of my Humanism? Is it a freethinkers heresy to get others to join my group? Do I proselytize to my friends by saying “Hey, I'm going to see a re-enactment of Robert Ingersoll's 'Why I am an Agnostic', at the Center for Inquiry. Do you want to come with me?” Or, “Why don't you come to my Darwin study group this evening.” What I can do is support the advance of secular organizations such as People for the American Way & Citizen's United for the Separation of Church and State. I have to keep a vigilant eye on my school board, local Congressman, and Senators. If I want to help others in need, I should join secular volunteer groups and give back that way.

Now with my confession out of the way, I will tell you how I came to this point. Since emigrating from England in 1992, I have been an avid observer of the religious right-wing; from the 'frock' jocks of the Evangelical radio shows to the tele-evangelists on TBN. We do have these kind of people in my old country, but they are considered on the lunatic fringe and they are flat broke. I am shocked, that in this country, they are a powerful, and monied political group who would be more comfortable at the Salem Witch Trials, than at a convention for atheists, freethinkers and non-believers. I am shocked by their pseudo science to explain biblical miracles and creation myths. I am even fascinated about how they happily argue with each other in eschatological debates about the 'end times' discussing whether their genitals will survive once they are raptured. Obviously they will not need that sinful area when they get to heaven, but then none of us will be needing our wedding tackle after death. Shockingly, in the twenty first century, they have a fear and obsessional belief in modern day witches, and not just the supernatural ones. Many of them put their god, with no shred of proof of its existence, before the safety of their family. Faith healing is good medical practice for some sects, prayer is their health-care insurance policy, and scientific ignorance is their teacher. They believe that God gave us the internet, and laugh when Al Gore claims to have had a hand in its promotion and development. Isn't it a grand coincidence that the two industries that are of the quickest to embrace new media technologies are porn and religion. To be honest, I don't know what that last sentence means.

I admit a begrudging respect for their drive to change school text books, curriculums, history, and science to fit into the bronze-age literature of their narrow theology. That takes organization, and a lot of non-questioning foot soldiers for Jesus (we mustn't forget Muhammad, and the late grate L. Ron Hubbard). I have been standing idly by, as they used the White House for taxpayers funding of their proselytizing under the guise of faith-based initiatives. Despondent and jaded, I made a decision to have my voice heard, and shove back on this intrusion into common sense. I don't normally join groups, but the Christian right-wing pushed me into the arms of Secular Humanism.

Ezra

Next week-What is Secular Humanism