Secular Statement Of Principals

[sgallan]

Since I am often asked what I stand for, or believe in, the below works really well for me.

A Statement of Principles.....

We are committed to the application of reason and science to the understanding of the universe and to the solving of human problems.

We deplore efforts to denigrate human intelligence and to seek to explain the world in supernatural terms.

We believe that scientific discovery and technology can contribute to the betterment of human life.

We believe in an open and pluralistic society and that democracy is the best guarantee of protecting human rights from authoritarian elites and repressive majorities.

We are committed to the principle of the separation of church and state.

We cultivate the arts of negotiation and compromise as a means of resolving differences and achieving mutual understanding.

We are concerned with securing justice and fairness in society and with eliminating discrimination and intolerance.

We believe in supporting the disadvantaged and the handicapped so that they will be able to help themselves.

We attempt to transcend divisive loyalties based on race, religion, gender, nationality, creed, class, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, and strive to work together for the common good of humanity.

We want to protect and enhance the earth, to preserve it for future generations, and to avoid inflicting needless suffering on other species.

We believe in enjoying life here and now and in developing our creative talents to their fullest.

We believe in the cultivation of moral excellence.

We respect the right to privacy. Mature adults should be allowed to fulfill their aspirations, to express their sexual preferences, to exercise reproductive freedom, to have access to comprehensive and informed health-care, and to die with dignity.

We believe in the common moral decencies: altruism, integrity, honesty, truthfulness, responsibility. Humanist ethics is amenable to critical, rational guidance. There are normative standards that we discover together. Moral principles are tested by their consequences.

We are deeply concerned with the moral education of our children. We want to nourish reason and compassion.

We are engaged by the arts no less than by the sciences.

We are citizens of the universe and are excited by discoveries still to be made in the cosmos.

We are skeptical of untested claims to knowledge, and we are open to novel ideas and seek new departures in our thinking.

We affirm humanism as a realistic alternative to theologies and philosophies of despair and ideologies of violence and as a source of rich personal significance and genuine satisfaction in the service to others.

We believe in optimism rather than pessimism, hope rather than despair, learning in the place of dogma, truth instead of ignorance, joy rather than guilt or sin, tolerance in the place of fear, love instead of hatred, compassion over selfishness, beauty instead of ugliness, and reason rather than blind faith or irrationality.

We believe in the fullest realization of the best and noblest that we are capable of as human beings.

[shanstress70]

A Statement of Principles.....

We are committed to the application of reason and science to the understanding of the universe and to the solving of human problems.

I agree with this, but I believe God is the scientist of all scientists and put it all in motion and I include him in my beliefs.

We deplore efforts to denigrate human intelligence and to seek to explain the world in supernatural terms.

I don't feel that believing in God denegrates human intelligence at all.

We believe that scientific discovery and technology can contribute to the betterment of human life.

I totally agree.

We believe in an open and pluralistic society and that democracy is the best guarantee of protecting human rights from authoritarian elites and repressive majorities.

I totally agree with this as well.

We are committed to the principle of the separation of church and state.

I agree.

We cultivate the arts of negotiation and compromise as a means of resolving differences and achieving mutual understanding.

I agree that this is the best way of resolving differences, although sometimes unfortunately it doesn't work.

We are concerned with securing justice and fairness in society and with eliminating discrimination and intolerance.

Totally agree.

We believe in supporting the disadvantaged and the handicapped so that they will be able to help themselves.

Totally agree, with the emphasis on 'so that they will be able to help themselves'.

We attempt to transcend divisive loyalties based on race, religion, gender, nationality, creed, class, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, and strive to work together for the common good of humanity.

I agree.

We want to protect and enhance the earth, to preserve it for future generations, and to avoid inflicting needless suffering on other species.

I agree, and feel very strongly about this.

We believe in enjoying life here and now and in developing our creative talents to their fullest.

Amen brutha!

We believe in the cultivation of moral excellence.

Yes indeedy.

We respect the right to privacy. Mature adults should be allowed to fulfill their aspirations, to express their sexual preferences, to exercise reproductive freedom, to have access to comprehensive and informed health-care, and to die with dignity.

Absolutely.

We believe in the common moral decencies: altruism, integrity, honesty, truthfulness, responsibility. Humanist ethics is amenable to critical, rational guidance. There are normative standards that we discover together. Moral principles are tested by their consequences.

I agree.

We are deeply concerned with the moral education of our children. We want to nourish reason and compassion.

Completely agree.

We are engaged by the arts no less than by the sciences.

I can't agree that they are entirely equal, since science has the potential of saving lives and making people live more comfortable lives, but I have no problem if that is an individual's opinion.

We are citizens of the universe and are excited by discoveries still to be made in the cosmos.

I am excited by these discoveries, but sometimes wonder if some of the money could be put to better use feeding or housing the poor.

We are skeptical of untested claims to knowledge, and we are open to novel ideas and seek new departures in our thinking.

Agree 100%.

We affirm humanism as a realistic alternative to theologies and philosophies of despair and ideologies of violence and as a source of rich personal significance and genuine satisfaction in the service to others.

I believe that the important aspects of humanism can be lived along with a belief in God.

We believe in optimism rather than pessimism, hope rather than despair, learning in the place of dogma, truth instead of ignorance, joy rather than guilt or sin, tolerance in the place of fear, love instead of hatred, compassion over selfishness, beauty instead of ugliness, and reason rather than blind faith or irrationality.

I agree with all this, and find it's possible with my belief in God. I do believe in sin, although I don't believe that we are all born with sin. I also don't believe the Bible is inerrant, although I believe it is inspired. IMO, men have interjected their own perspectives through the years.

We believe in the fullest realization of the best and noblest that we are capable of as human beings.

I agree with this.

In summary, I believe that most of the aspects of humanism can co-exist with a belief in God. This is how I choose to live my life, and I think that God is pleased with it.

[sgallan]

In summary, I believe that most of the aspects of humanism can co-exist with a belief in God. This is how I choose to live my life, and I think that God is pleased with it.

I think that's true. And when people do so I consider it terrific. I alway say.... I'm not looking for converts. I just get asked what I believe, and this works. Interestingly, when I posted this on another board those who have more fundamentalist type beliefs seemed pretty upset with it.

[shanstress70]

In summary, I believe that most of the aspects of humanism can co-exist with a belief in God. This is how I choose to live my life, and I think that God is pleased with it.

I think that's true. And when people do so I consider it terrific. I alway say.... I'm not looking for converts. I just get asked what I believe, and this works. Interestingly, when I posted this on another board those who have more fundamentalist type beliefs seemed pretty upset with it.

Yeah well, those with more fundamentalist type beliefs are generally upset with my beliefs as well, so we have something else in common! :) I've actually been told I'm not a Christian before because of some of this.

[sgallan]

Yeah well, those with more fundamentalist type beliefs are generally upset with my beliefs as well, so we have something else in common! I've actually been told I'm not a Christian before because of some of this.

Well I guess if it's that hot place for us, we can meet and have some s'mores.

[shanstress70]

Yum... smores!

The reason some people say I'm not a Christian is bc of my belief that people other than Christians can possibly go to Heaven, depending on how they live their lives. I believe in a loving God, that is truly like a Father. I know that my husband would not kill our child, or send him to a bad place regardless of what he believed... so why would a loving God condemn someone to Hell?

Plus, assuming Christianity is true, why would some child who is raised in a Hindu household in India convert to Christianity bc some strange missionaries (I'm not speaking of specifically LDS here) tell him he should? For the most part, we will grow up believing what we are raised with. God would not punish his children for being a product of their environments. At least that's what I believe.

And yes, I even believe that Atheists can go to Heaven if they lives their lives morally and decently, helping others as they can, following the Golden Rule. Although there are quite a few Christian's that I have to wonder about!

[Dr T]

Hello you two (so far). Interesting ideas. There is a lot to comment about here sgallan and your thoughts about getting into heaven Shan also perk up my ears. I don't have time to get started on this today. I hope to sometime. Until then, thanks for your ideas.

[Guest ApostleKnight]

What do you mean--personally--by separation of church and state?

[sgallan]

What do you mean--personally--by separation of church and state?

Pretty much how it is practiced right now. I have no problems with moments of silence, but actual verbal prayers is something else. I have no problem with Bible "clubs" as long as other "clubs" are allowed as well, and all are voluntary. I personally don't care that the word "god" is in the pledge, but I understand why some do. You want to teach about things like creationalism, then do it in an elective religion class. The courts have ruled on this several times. I think the Alabama Judge thing was a good ruling. That kind of thing. I tend not to make a big issue over most of these things (except education), but I understand why others do. We are not a theocracy. We're not even a true Democracy (those tend to stomp on the rights of the minorities). We are a Democratic Republic.

[Guest ApostleKnight]

Thanks for your clarification sgallan. To expand on your last point, John Adams once defined America as an "extended commercial limited federal democratic republic." :)

As for church and state being separate, I don't think many people know the origin of the phrase or the original intent. Thomas Jefferson used the phrase in his letter to the Danbury Baptists, and meant that government should not "enshrine" one religion to the detriment of others...giving tax breaks to Catholics and taxing non-Catholics more heavily for example.

In the early days of the colonies, many religions would take turns (one Sunday a month) using government buildings like city halls as improvised chapels. Too many people interpret the phrase "separation of church and state" to mean that government can't acknowledge any religion or religious text, etc...

But that's simply not so. Jefferson just didn't want to see a Mormon President signing an executive order forcing all citizens to read the Book of Mormon or be jailed, for example.

I think your view is fair-minded sgallan, and tend to agree with your stance. Thanks.

[prisonchaplain]

In summary, I believe that most of the aspects of humanism can co-exist with a belief in God. This is how I choose to live my life, and I think that God is pleased with it.

Perhaps this is why "secular humanism"--as opposed to general humanism--was the boogey man for the religious right throughout the 1980s.

What do you mean--personally--by separation of church and state?

Perhaps the greatest act an American president has authorized in the past several decades was the religious access rulings of the Clinton Whitehouse. They basically said what sgallan said--that Christians, and other religious groups should get the same treatment as others. You allow all or none. With that "win," the school prayers, creationism, etc. became irrelevent to me.

For an evangelical to praise Clinton may cause some gasps--guess I'm a "hug a thug" kinda guy.

[para]

i see no problems in your beliefs