Humanism and Religion

July 14,2005   Dov, in IHS forum.

Re: Science-Based Humanism

Chris9234, I regret that I cannot please you:

(A) In matters of "belief" I have not suggested and would not suggest that either one of us is right or wrong. These terms are applicable only to scientifically verified matters. And I appreciate your frankness in revealing your belief that "secular humanism is unable to accommodate a variety of phenotypes".

(B) From Merriam-Webster Online:

* secular humanism = noun, especially : humanistic philosophy viewed as a nontheistic religion antagonistic to traditional religion.

* re·li·gion = noun, (1)the service and worship of God or the supernatural; commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance, (2) a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices, (3) scrupulous conformity, (4) a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith.

(C) Humanism, including even secular humanism, is " a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor" and the question is if it is held to also with "faith". When it is regarded as either right or wrong it is a religion by definition. Being a religion it is a subject of personal taste/election. My own taste/election is a Science-Based-Humanism-Religion. I have been trying for a few years to effect establishment of an international program for advancing the scientific basis of science-based humanism, as explained in my post " SCM " in the Suggestions section (author marked Guest, I do not know why…).

So, I do not have a " testable thesis ". I have a personal taste/election for a science-based cause, science-based principled system, to be held to with conviction and ardor.

And I think that such a system can indeed accommodate a variety of phenotypes.

Dov