7) Humanistic Values
Though there are no "pillars" or "commandments" demanded by Humanism, there exists an ethical code generally respected by Humanists. Humanistic values are those ideals that promote a healthy, intelligent, tolerant, and compassionate world. Such values are simple, and are not special because they are unique, but rather because they are universal. Among these values are tolerance, compassion, empathy, honesty, liberty, trustworthiness, loyalty, self-esteem, civic pride, knowlege, and wisdom.
To date there is no moral system devised by any religion, sect, cult, or new age ideaology that has satisfied the whole of humanity. Such "moral" codes are at best largely arbitrary and mediocre guidelines, and at their worst they provide fertile breeding grounds for hatred, antipathy, bias, irrationality, divisiveness, and arbitrary (a)moral decisions.
The world's religions are touted to be the great sources of morality in the world, yet they break many of their own tenets (or worse... follow them) as they go at eachothers throats. Many Muslims bomb Christians and Jews. Many Jews withhold the rightful property of Muslims in Israel. Many Christians promote anti-semitism. Many Christians oppress Muslims in near Eastern countries. Many Hindus are now attacking Christian missionaries in India. Many Buddhists are doing the same at places in the world, while in both cases Christians are also instigating such things. And within each belief we see members of further branches engaging in acts of violence towards eachother. And even if branches (or branches within branches) tolerate one another, they frequently harbor deep rooted feelings of mistrust and often disgust towards one another. And, of course, they are all justified because they are all "the true religion".
Contemporary problems with current religious moral codes are bad enough, but history shows us hordes of overwhelming travesties and tragic consequences of arbitrary morality. Religion perpetrated the slaying of the Roman Pagans, war against the Celts, the Crusades, the Inquisitions, witch burnings, slavery, anti-semitism, apartheid, caste, Imperialism, Native American slaughter and removal, African slaughter and enslavement, racism, sexism, heterosexualism, supression of countless geniuses and valid theories, and hosts of wars, raids, and blights all over the face of the planet.
Clearly the world is in dire need of new global ethics. The benefits of sound morals founded with reason and compassion need to be reaped. Humanism is perhaps humankinds greatest chance at reaching such a sound moral system, a system condusive to the survival and happiness of our planet... and of humanity.
8) Religious Political Extremism
There are many people in the United States who are not content simply following their own religious dogma. These people have decided that they would like to force the entire country to follow them as well. Despite what our founding fathers had to say about separation of church and state, religious institutions often attempt to pass (or help pass) laws that are based upon their system of morality. The political circuitry of the United States relies heavily on catering to extreme religious groups and pushing morality based upon Judeo-Christian beliefs, no matter what the politicians themselves belive. Many politicians have entered into a symbiotic relationship with religious institutions out of mutual self-interest. Still others use politics to push their religion onto everyone, and mix it into legislation. Either way, we sacrifice freedom and the ideals our founding fathers bled and died for if we allow such things to happen.
9) Religious Freedom & Separation of Church and State
Freedom to believe is one of the major cornerstones of the United States, and is considered by most to be a fundamental value of human existence. Not only does no one have the right to take anothers beliefs and thoughts away, but no one has the ability. Humanism protects and respects the rights of people to believe what they wish. Regardless of what the CFA and Council for Secular Humanism members and affiliates believe in their personal lives, they know that this fundamental right cannot and should not be taken from anyone. People have the right to worship, organize, speak out, and teach others of their beliefs. People also have the right to challenge beliefs, and question everything. Free inquiry should be available to all.
Religious groups and organizations do not have the right to engage in state affairs. The CFA and Council for Secular Humanism oppose any efforts by religious institutions to have control of the rights and freedoms of America. The state is a neutral body that handles the adminstrative, legislative, and defense issues of the United States. The exact purpose of government is widely disagreed on by many people, but the view that the above organizations hold in common is that regardless of what the exact purpose of government is, no church should have the right to interfere with the policies that affect 250,000,000 people (and ultimately everyone everywhere).. Let religious people be religious, let worshipers worship, and let all of the churches tend to their own followers and issues. But do not let the churches handle the issues of America. CFA and the Council for Secular Humanism support separation of church and state.
10) Civil Liberties
Civil Liberties should exist for everyone. Individual freedoms are central to our lives, and allow us to fully blossom and grow as a person. There are many different types of people with many different personalities. There are many hobbies, many literature genres, many sports, and many organizations. There are many kinds of foods, many places to live, many types of clothes, homes, and cars, and many types of music. There are many career paths, and paths that are not careers. There are wanderers, politicians, artists, clergy, civil servants, mechanics, farmers, students, and salespeople. One can be a Democrat, Rebublican, Libertarian, Communist, Green, Independent, or one could dislike and avoid politics. There are many paths, many choices, many goals and opportunities.
Everyone should have all of the freedoms afforded everyone else, regardless of race, sex, class, creed, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and so forth. The era of segregation and discrimination is slowly ending, and a new era of communication, cooperation, and freedom is beginning to blossom. It needs to be allowed to blossom, it needs to be defended.
11) Unite Freethinkers; Common Goals
The ideals have always existed, yet now the goals are clearly and loudly proclaimed. There is an increasing dissolusion with urban myths, pop myths, religion, supernaturalism, and irrationalism by many people all over the planet. More and more people every day are turning to rote compassion, tolerance, wisdom, and intelligence to solve the problems that each new day presents.
Now Atheists, Agnostics, Non-Theists, Secular Humanists, and Freethinkers have a common banner under which they; we can unite. The Campus Freethought Alliance will soon be in place at SDSU, as it is in over 100 schools accross the United States. There are many such groups now forming all over the world. The number grows everyday. Our resolve grows every day. Our hope grows every day.
WE SHALL MEET THESE CHALLENGES TOGETHER
- PTW, 2-17-2000