http://www.dorsethumanists.co.uk/
Founded in 1996, Dorset Humanist Association is a local humanist group affiliated to the British Humanist Association (BHA). Currently, we have just over 100 members. Our main activity is a lively programme of talks, lectures and discussions on a range of topics including religion, philosophy, human rights and global problems. Our aims are to promote Humanism, to be a friendly meeting-place for non-believers and doubters of every shade and description, and to do good in the world. Our governing principles are free speech and lively debate within an overall framework of tolerance and respect.
Our lecture programme is well-attended – between 40 and 70 people come along to the Moordown Community Centre once a month on Saturday afternoon. This is a chance to hear stimulating talks, get stuck in to topical debates and meet up with other Humanists. In the Summer months we arrange social get-togethers such as pub lunches and walks, often with neighboring Humanist groups. We celebrate Darwin Day every February with a buffet lunch and a topical talk. We extend a warm welcome to everyone, regardless of race, age, sex, sexual orientation, ability, belief, background, hairstyle or dress sense.
We publish a regular newsletter and an informal journal called The Dorset Humanist. This is for all members but particularly for those who can’t get along to our meetings. A few of our lectures are available in transcript format.
reposted from: http://www.dorsethumanists.co.uk/ my: highlights / emphasis / key points / comments
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What is Humanism?
Dorset Humanists are affiliated to British Humanists Association (BHA). The BHA defines Humanism:-Humanism
Humanism is the belief that we can live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs. Humanists make sense of the world using reason, experience and shared human values. We seek to make the best of the one life we have by creating meaning and purpose for ourselves. We take responsibility for our actions and work with others for the common good.
What humanists believe
Humanism is an approach to life based on humanity and reason - humanists recognise that moral values are properly founded on human nature and experience alone. Our decisions are based on the available evidence and our assessment of the outcomes of our actions, not on any dogma or sacred text.
Humanismencompasses atheism and agnosticism ‑ but is an active and ethical philosophy far greater than these negative responses to religion.
Humanistsbelieve in individual rights and freedoms ‑ but believe that individual responsibility, social cooperation and mutual respect are just as important.
Humanists believe that people can and will continue to find solutions to the world's problems ‑ so that quality of life can be improved for everyone.
Humanists are positive ‑ gaining inspiration from our lives, art and culture, and a rich natural world.
Humanists believe that we have only one life ‑ it is our responsibility to make it a good life, and to live it to the full.
source: http://www.humanism.org.uk/site/cms/contentChapterView.asp?chapter=309
BHA Vision & Mission
Our Vision
A world without religious privilege or discrimination, where people are free to live good lives on the basis of reason, experience and shared human values.
Our Mission
The British Humanist Association exists to promote Humanism and support and represent people who seek to live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs.
source: http://www.humanism.org.uk/site/cms/contentChapterView.asp?chapter=333
2.4 Who is Eligible to Join?..
You will find that some of your prospective members call themselves atheists,..
some agnostics, while others dislike labels but say they have no religious..
beliefs. Often people are uncertain and simply haven’t made up their minds...
They want to find out what Humanism is about and whether it is what they..
have been looking for. All these people will be welcome to join if they feel that..
your Group is right for them. It is important to have some leaflets with various..
definitions of Humanism so that there are no misunderstandings. For example,..
those calling themselves ‘Christian Humanists’ should be kindly told that..
Humanism, being non-religious, is unlikely to be for them...
An explanation by David Warden
http://www.dorsethumanists.co.uk/whatishumanism/
Humanism is a positive alternative to religious belief. Humanists explore the big questions of life on the basis of human intelligence rather than religious authority and we are committed to moral action in the world and in our individual lives.
What do humanists believe?
Humanists believe in the freedom of the human mind, rather than submission to God or to any tyranny on earth. This is sometimes referred to as ‘autonomy’, an attitude which was the hallmark of the 18th century Enlightenment and many ancient Greek philosophers. Freedom of thought means that Humanists do not have any creed, except the creed of freedom of thought itself.
Humanist ethics
Humanists recognise that there is no basis to ethics except the voluntary adoption of modes of behaviour which enable us to live well together. Deciding how to behave is often a difficult choice between competing claims, for instance between my own needs and the needs of others. Humanists appreciate the complexity of moral reasoning and do not have any simple answers to difficult ethical questions. Ethics is not, however, simply a question of ‘doing good’. To live ethically means exploring the root causes of misery in the world, including oppressive relationships in families and in organisations.
Humanist politics
Humanists recognise that politics is a difficult balancing act between economic freedom and social cohesion, between the rights of the individual and the needs of the community. In constitutional affairs, Humanists would prefer to have an elected Head of State rather than an hereditary monarchy because the monarchy is a powerful symbol of privilege, deference and inequality.
Humanism as a counterculture
Global capitalism and consumerism have become a new form of totalitarianism. Economic well-being is important but Humanists are committed to moral well-being as well. Humanists do not advocate poverty but they have other concerns besides material acquisition.
Humanism and human rights
Human rights are based on the freedom and dignity of the individual and therefore Humanists are committed to human rights as expressed in various international declarations and conventions. We are opposed to any form of discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, age, ability, sexual orientation, belief, background, etc. More positively, we support the emancipation of any oppressed class including women, children, employees in oppressive organisations, animals and so on.
Humanism and education
Humanists are committed to education as long as it is based on the principle of free enquiry rather than the transmission of dogma.
Humanism for the individual
Because Humanists believe in freedom of thought and critical enquiry, they often find themselves going against the flow of society. This is sometimes called ‘authenticity’ – staying true to your own beliefs rather than conforming to society. This attitude is potentially very costly for Humanists as individuals. Many of our freethought predecessors were imprisoned for their beliefs and even today freethinkers in many parts of the world can be arrested and imprisoned.
Humanism in history
The word ‘humanist’ was first used in the late 15th century to refer to Italian scholars who specialised in the study of classical literature (humanitatis) in contrast to theology (divinitatis). The modern meaning of the word Humanism started to gain currency in the early part of the twentieth century with books such as Humanism: Philosophical Essays by Oxford pragmatist Ferdinand Schiller (1903) and Humanism by the American philosopher William James (1904). The first Humanist association was established in America in 1941 and in Britain in 1963. The roots of Humanism are much deeper than this however. In the 19th century there were many freethought and ethical societies which were Humanist in outlook.
Humanist campaigns
Humanists are working to ensure that our intellectual freedoms are safeguarded and that the voice of non-religious people is heard. If you visit British Humanist Association's website you can find out about humanist campaigns. The International Humanist and Ethical Union website website has more information about what is happening in other parts of the world.
How many humanists are there?
There are about 1 billion non-religious people in the world – nearly one-sixth of the world’s population. According to the last UK census, 13 million people in Britain are non-religious, probably an underestimate of the true number of non-believers. The British Humanist Association has around 5,000 members and 40 local groups. In some European countries, such as Belgium and Norway, Humanism has greater numerical strength, partly because of state funding for all religions, including Humanism as a secular alternative. Norway, for instance, has around 60,000 Humanists. There are Humanist groups on every continent including Africa, Asia and South America.
reposted from: http://www.dorsethumanists.co.uk/whatishumanism/ my: highlights / emphasis / key points / comments
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