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Are you a humanist or what?
Are you a humanist or what?
This is the obligatory thread asking people what particular label they prefer to stick on themselves. I decided against making it a poll but I'll suggest some possiblities below and people can pick more than one.
The first label I choose for myself is atheist because, unlike humanist, people know what it means. I am a humanist, I think, and I am certainly a secularist and, I hope, a freethinker. So here's a list of possibilities:
Atheist
Agnostic
Humanist
Secularist
Freethinker
Naturalist
Bright
Theist
Deist
Pantheist
Religious
Spiritual
Any others?
The first label I choose for myself is atheist because, unlike humanist, people know what it means. I am a humanist, I think, and I am certainly a secularist and, I hope, a freethinker. So here's a list of possibilities:
Atheist
Agnostic
Humanist
Secularist
Freethinker
Naturalist
Bright
Theist
Deist
Pantheist
Religious
Spiritual
Any others?
I'm certainly a humanist. Of the other terms, I quite like naturalist. I prefer it to atheist because it isn't about defining myself in relation to people who believe in God nor does it by definition allow for belief in the supernatural.
By the way, I'm sorry I didn't get around to contributing to the very interesting thread someone started on naturalism and hope that whoever started it has joined this forum and will start it up again.
By the way, I'm sorry I didn't get around to contributing to the very interesting thread someone started on naturalism and hope that whoever started it has joined this forum and will start it up again.
- Lifelinking
- Posts: 3248
- Joined: July 4th, 2007, 11:56 am
John Catt, on the BHA forum, came up with a very good response to just this sort of question, which I twisted to suit my own world view:
I’m agnostic because we cannot prove whether there is a god or not (our understanding of the universe incomplete).
I’m an atheist because I conclude, on the basis of such evidence as is available to me, that there is no god
I’m a secularist because I believe that government should be completely separate from any religion.
I’m a humanist because I believe my life and the universe I live in, transient though they may be, are positive, otherwise nihilism would be the deprtessing outcome.
I’m a naturalist because I believe that because we have evolved from an immensely complex natural system, we can better understand ourselves as humans by looking for answers in nature, not scripture.
I’m a freethinker because I don’t think anything should restrict my freedom to think for myself.
I'm a Bright when you want a catchy new ajective to starta discussion
If I pick just one, I would plump for humanist.
I’m agnostic because we cannot prove whether there is a god or not (our understanding of the universe incomplete).
I’m an atheist because I conclude, on the basis of such evidence as is available to me, that there is no god
I’m a secularist because I believe that government should be completely separate from any religion.
I’m a humanist because I believe my life and the universe I live in, transient though they may be, are positive, otherwise nihilism would be the deprtessing outcome.
I’m a naturalist because I believe that because we have evolved from an immensely complex natural system, we can better understand ourselves as humans by looking for answers in nature, not scripture.
I’m a freethinker because I don’t think anything should restrict my freedom to think for myself.
I'm a Bright when you want a catchy new ajective to starta discussion
If I pick just one, I would plump for humanist.
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- Posts: 143
- Joined: July 4th, 2007, 8:20 am
Nice one, Lifelinking. Hadn't seen that one before, although I think the term is likely to get the same reception as 'Bright' did.
My standard answer would be atheist. It's a robust term that people understand and respond to (positively or negatively). It sometimes brings the opportunity to talk about why I don't believe in God. At a time when religions seem to becoming more powerful, I think it's important to disassociate oneself in no uncertain terms.
My standard answer would be atheist. It's a robust term that people understand and respond to (positively or negatively). It sometimes brings the opportunity to talk about why I don't believe in God. At a time when religions seem to becoming more powerful, I think it's important to disassociate oneself in no uncertain terms.
I'm having trouble with the whole humanism thing at the moment too. I used to answer this question by saying that I liked to call myself a 'humanist' because people often don't understand the term and that gave me the excuse to explain. But now I'm having some doubts about it all.wheels5894 wrote:Atheist, definitely and secularist. i suppose Humanist too though I'm not sure I like the label after recent events. (Oh and I ingacquired an MTheol in 1996)
I used to hate the Brights thing - and I'm still uncomfortable about the name - but we've been going to the Glasgow Brights meetings and they're a great bunch.
I had stopped calling myself an atheist partly because I don't like to define myself in relation to what I don't believe in and also because I don't like how a lot of atheists come across.
To be honest, I'm not that bothered about labels.
- Lifelinking
- Posts: 3248
- Joined: July 4th, 2007, 11:56 am
I need a term that is positive. Atheist is about what you don't believe in. Agnostic is probably best understood by the religious and I can understand why you have adopted it, Zoe, but I find 'Humanist' fits me nicely.
Saying we were Humanist dealt very nicely with a JW at the door recently, btw. It was at Easter, that wonderful pagan fertility festival, and she wanted to invite me to celebrate the birthday of the greatest man who ever lived. That was a bit confusing as I wasn't sure who she could mean. She was the wrong age for it to be Eric Clapton.
'Well actually,' sez I, 'we are Humanists'.
'Oh... you don't believe in God, then...'
'That's right. We believe in living our one life well.'
And she had little to say after that. I gave her back her leaflet and she went on her way.
Saying we were Humanist dealt very nicely with a JW at the door recently, btw. It was at Easter, that wonderful pagan fertility festival, and she wanted to invite me to celebrate the birthday of the greatest man who ever lived. That was a bit confusing as I wasn't sure who she could mean. She was the wrong age for it to be Eric Clapton.
'Well actually,' sez I, 'we are Humanists'.
'Oh... you don't believe in God, then...'
'That's right. We believe in living our one life well.'
And she had little to say after that. I gave her back her leaflet and she went on her way.
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- Posts: 143
- Joined: July 4th, 2007, 8:20 am
I get very excited when the JW's call, but sadly they appear not to like water, as I haven't had a visit in the last 6 years! I invite them in, sit them down, give them a cup of tea, then grill them mercilessly!
Favourite topics: Ask the lady why she has short hair, ask the man if he's ever had to consider plucking his eyes out, asking whether pygmies who have never heard of god should be caste into eternal hell fire...
*sigh* Those were the days.......
It kept them off the streets too!
Favourite topics: Ask the lady why she has short hair, ask the man if he's ever had to consider plucking his eyes out, asking whether pygmies who have never heard of god should be caste into eternal hell fire...
*sigh* Those were the days.......
It kept them off the streets too!
Personally, I don't like calling myself an 'Atheist' as I had always been brought up to believe that meant you were *anti* religion.
I wouldn't call myself an Agnostic either, as for me that's a bit of a cop out - I went through a phase in my teens of thinking maybe I was an Agnostic as I was terrified to admit I *didn't believe in God* as this was frowned upon & if I'm totally honest, I was scared I would go to hell if I died & didn't believe! (Oh the joys or religious education!)
I haven't really looked into what I think I am in too much depth, I think there are far too many labels today & I don't like the idea of being put in a box.
But if I had to plump for one, I would say Humanist - although sometimes in the current climate I feel like a *bad humanist*
I wouldn't call myself an Agnostic either, as for me that's a bit of a cop out - I went through a phase in my teens of thinking maybe I was an Agnostic as I was terrified to admit I *didn't believe in God* as this was frowned upon & if I'm totally honest, I was scared I would go to hell if I died & didn't believe! (Oh the joys or religious education!)
I haven't really looked into what I think I am in too much depth, I think there are far too many labels today & I don't like the idea of being put in a box.
But if I had to plump for one, I would say Humanist - although sometimes in the current climate I feel like a *bad humanist*
I tend to like Naturalist, but some people actually get that confused with Naturist which around here means Nudist and I like to wear clothes so that can be confusing. I am struggling with the whole label thing. Atheist is accurate for me but it seems annoying to have to give religion enough credit to use it in defining myself.
Athiest I am, but I would say it describes more what I'm not and says nothing about what my life values are.
Humanist is a wide church - if I may use that term, and describes generally where I stand.
Secularist defines the shade of Humanism I subscribe to so I suppose I would call myself a Secular Humanist.
Humanist is a wide church - if I may use that term, and describes generally where I stand.
Secularist defines the shade of Humanism I subscribe to so I suppose I would call myself a Secular Humanist.
True lovers of knowledge are temperate and brave...
Socrates
Socrates
I've always had this problem with "labels". When I used to indulge in "herbal remedies" and "psychedelic substances" I routinely rebelled at being called a "hippy". Ultimately, I suppose I regard myself as a "geezer".
I've read arguments above about not wanting to define oneself in terms of religion, and I go along with that. Of course, what we are really talking about here are not "definitions" as such, but attributes; and attributes, moreover, that are concerned with our general outlook vis-a-vis the problem of existence.
In order to decide I first need to figure out what the terms mean. This is my rough self-guide. Feel free to correct me anyone.
1. Atheist - means I don't see any rational justification for god
2. Agnostic - means I do not feel capable of proving or disproving god
3. Humanist - means my outlook is geared towards humanity supplying the means of its own (for want of a better word) salvation
4. Secularist - means I support the concept of society being governed without the influence of religion
5. Freethinker - means I have an open mind
6. Naturalist - means I acknowledge my roots in nature
7. Bright - means I have joined a particular "club"
8. Theist - means I accept the possibility of an ultimate "divine consciousness"
9. Deist - means I accept the possibility of an ultimate creator (or creative force) who (which) nevertheless does not interfere with the creation
10. Pantheist - means god is everywhere (reality comprises the thoughts of god)
11. Religious - means one who likes to join in with the beliefs held by others
12. Spiritual - means a transcendent outlook
On this basis, I can accept most of the labels but have particular difficulty with 8 & 10 and reject 11 altogether.
7 of course is a matter of choice.
I used to have a problem with 1, until I read The God Delusion, which put me right. I didn't change, it was my understanding of the term which changed.
If I had to choose one it would be Humanist, not through any idealistic or "faith" type of motive, but because it seems to me to represent the most useful attitude towards our species.
BTW: Regarding my rejection of 11, I like to think that if ever again I get asked my religion I would put down "Mione Faith". This is pronounced "My-Own Faith" but is spelt as My "1" Faith thus being slightly ambiguous. It also sounds like some kind of cult.
I would propose "Mione Faith" as the name for a "cult" of anti-cultism and/or independent thinking.
I've read arguments above about not wanting to define oneself in terms of religion, and I go along with that. Of course, what we are really talking about here are not "definitions" as such, but attributes; and attributes, moreover, that are concerned with our general outlook vis-a-vis the problem of existence.
In order to decide I first need to figure out what the terms mean. This is my rough self-guide. Feel free to correct me anyone.
1. Atheist - means I don't see any rational justification for god
2. Agnostic - means I do not feel capable of proving or disproving god
3. Humanist - means my outlook is geared towards humanity supplying the means of its own (for want of a better word) salvation
4. Secularist - means I support the concept of society being governed without the influence of religion
5. Freethinker - means I have an open mind
6. Naturalist - means I acknowledge my roots in nature
7. Bright - means I have joined a particular "club"
8. Theist - means I accept the possibility of an ultimate "divine consciousness"
9. Deist - means I accept the possibility of an ultimate creator (or creative force) who (which) nevertheless does not interfere with the creation
10. Pantheist - means god is everywhere (reality comprises the thoughts of god)
11. Religious - means one who likes to join in with the beliefs held by others
12. Spiritual - means a transcendent outlook
On this basis, I can accept most of the labels but have particular difficulty with 8 & 10 and reject 11 altogether.
7 of course is a matter of choice.
I used to have a problem with 1, until I read The God Delusion, which put me right. I didn't change, it was my understanding of the term which changed.
If I had to choose one it would be Humanist, not through any idealistic or "faith" type of motive, but because it seems to me to represent the most useful attitude towards our species.
BTW: Regarding my rejection of 11, I like to think that if ever again I get asked my religion I would put down "Mione Faith". This is pronounced "My-Own Faith" but is spelt as My "1" Faith thus being slightly ambiguous. It also sounds like some kind of cult.
I would propose "Mione Faith" as the name for a "cult" of anti-cultism and/or independent thinking.
Penny just dropped (clunking very loudly!).Nick wrote:Perhaps we should all be called Godfrey....