HUMANISTS -BELIEF

DO HUMANISTS HAVE A BELIEF?

Yes, in some way we do. But our belief is rational, not religious. We only believe such matters when there are rational reasons to believe. (Ingemar Hedenius in "Faith and Knowledge"). Of course we are atheists but this gives only the answer on one particular question, and that's: "No, we don't believe there is or can be some god or gods". This non-belief does not say anything about our other opinions and comprehensions. As human ethicals and secular humanists we do believe in mankind's possibility to create a better world, that it is meaningful to work for our own happiness and for the progress of others, and that the discussion about "the meaning of life" has definitely nothing to do with a belief in God or in an existence of an "afterlife".

We do believe:

That human beings have evolved from simpler forms of life through natural processes as mutations and selection, taking millions of years.
That morality comes from understanding human nature; it does not come from a god. It reflects human experience, thought, feeling and commitment.
That people find more happiness and fulfilment when they are behaving well towards others.
That human beings alone are responsible for the future of this planet and all the life on it. There is NO god to care or help.
That human beings today have more power than ever before, to be creative or destructive. We all must therefore work together to secure the future of life on earth.
That life should be as fulfilling as possible for every individual.
That all human beings have an equal right to dignity and opportunity, without discrimination by race, sex or age etc.

We don't believe:

In a god or gods. Some describe themselves as agnostics. (a-gnostic = 'not knowing', .i.e. a person who claims not to know). They say nobody can really know whether there is a supernatural power or not. All human ethicals live their lives as atheists (a-theist = without God).
In life after death. But we DO believe that many of the things a person does will have consequences that live on.
That there is a supernatural power to guide us or help us.
That human beings are born "sinful".
That women are inferior to men.
That we should be embarrassed about sexual matters

Quoted from leaflet of Human Ethical Association of Västeras Sweden

See their Websites: http://www.go.to/botulfbladet

or: http://herregud.com/hefv

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