I became a humanist, without knowing the term, when, as a teenager, I realized that the dogmas preached in the church that I attended did not hold up to the reality of the natural world. There is no divine compassion or and there are no miracles. At the same time I came to understand that the values […]
PART ONE I Humanism seeks truth from the rational analysis of evidence. At the same time, it appreciates the creativity and insight of artists working in various media. Humanists readily acknowledge that exceptional writers can provide solace and inspiration. Furthermore, humanists prize the fact that literature offers awareness and preserves knowledge, as well as providing […]
PART ONE I Although the term is used loosely in general, the clinical definition of a phobia is that it is an irrational fear. For example, being afraid or even unable to cross a sturdy bridge that is currently being used safely by many people would be a case of the unreasonable fear of heights […]
PART ONE I “History is bunk.” “History is one damn thing after another.” “History is lies told by the winners.” Are all of these true? In a sense, yes they are, but each is also false at the same time. How can this paradox be of interest to a humanist? Read on and see. History […]
PART ONE Humanists seek knowledge from evidence, think scientifically without reference to divine intervention, and are open to discussion. They are also motivated by honesty, empathy, and compassion. How does this approach apply to issues such as an understanding of the history and present circumstances of Canada’s original inhabitants? It makes us concerned about a […]
PART ONE You do not have to be a doctor to know that good hygiene, nutrition, and exercise are important to help maintain good health. You do not have to be a psychologist to know that repeated and uncontrolled behaviour that is destructive to yourself or others is an addiction. You do not have to […]
PART ONE The Enlightenment, also known as “The Age of Reason”, was a European intellectual and cultural movement in the 17th century that emphasized reason over faith and science over superstition. (It is not to be confused with “enlightenment” as the goal of Buddhism.) Enlightenment philosophers questioned accepted knowledge and spread new ideas about openness, […]
PART ONE I Humanism seeks truth from evidence and rational analysis. It engages in calm and open discussions that display a desire to understand various points of view. There is, however, no acceptance of divinity, doctrine, or dogma. Therefore, humanists are by definition not religious. At the same time, humanists believe in freedom of expression, […]
PART ONE Democracy in government essentially means “rule by the people” rather than rule by a monarch, aristocracy or dictator. Democracy is not a new idea but it is one that has not been put into practice all that often. Members of small, nomadic groups were roughly equal in power, because there was little to […]
PART 1 I Because humanists emphasize the importance of analyzing empirical evidence rationally it is sometimes thought that they are cold and machine like. Nothing could be further from the truth. Humanism gives equal emphasis to compassion, joy and creativity. Part of the celebration of life as we know it is the appreciation of art. […]
