what is a humanist exactly?

Answer 1

http://www.secularhumanism.org

This website gives you some info on secular humanism. Basically they believe in being good people, and that you don't have to believe in organized religion or God to be a good person. It is more about having good ethics and morals and doing the right thing because of your decision, and not to please a God.

Answer 2

There are lots of definitions and many different types of humanists. To most people today humanism means ethics and morality without religion. Most humanists believe reason should be the guide to ethical behaviour, not some religious dogma. But there are many religious humanists.

Humanism began in the Renaissance when the world was just rediscovering Ancient Greece and Rome. The first humanists believed one could learn to lead a moral life just by studying Classical literature. At the same time most did not question the authority of the Church.

This changed in the eighteenth century with the Age of Reason and the Enlightenment. Humanists came to believe that reason was the best guide to truth and morality, not the Church.

America's founding fathers were strongly influenced by the Enlightenment. The American Revolution challenged the Divine Right of Kings, and separation of Church and State was enshrined in the American Constitution. The French Revolution followed and the rest, as they say, is history.

Humanists today are held in low esteem by most religions. They feel challenged by the concept that you can have ethics and morality without religion. But Satanists!? That's a new one on me. Most humanists reject any kind of supernatural power, good or evil.

If you want to learn more, do an internet search. Wikpedia is always a good place to start.

Answer 3

You are here: Philosophy >> Learn More About Secular Humanism! >> What Is A Humanist
What is a Humanist?

What is a Humanist? The position of a humanist is that a person has control over his own behavior. The Humanist allows a person freedom of choice, and is responsible for his own self-direction. Making one’s own choices will lead to a progression of personal growth and a more positive view of oneself. Stressing that anxiety is a motivating force for change, the Humanist believes that the change will result in a more independent and complete life.

As the Humanist views it, a person’s goal is to appreciate life, to assess his purpose in life, and to accept this purpose. Death should not concern the Humanist, since death only is an end to a complete life. Humanists do not believe in life after death, or eternal life.

Secular Humanists describe themselves as atheists or agnostics. The atheist believes that there is no God, while the agnostic believes there is no God, but admit He could possibly exist. Instead of relying on gods or supernatural forces, Humanists base their decisions on the lessons of history, their own personal experiences, and the application of reason. The methodology of science is considered to be the most reliable source of information of what is factual in our universe.

Religious Humanism emerged out of Ethical Culture, Unitarianism, and Universalism. Their communities offer a basis for moral values, methods for dealing with life’s problems, and an overall sense of purpose. Special holidays shared with like-minded people, and providing an institutional setting for the moral education of children, offer members a sense of belonging. Members affirm each other’s beliefs and attend weddings, funerals, and all ceremonies together. Religious Humanists believe that only through religion can the needs of most people be met.

Answer 4

Humanist

1. One of the scholars who in the field of literature proper represented the movement of the Renaissance, and early in the 16th century adopted the name Humanist as their distinctive title.

2. One who purposes the study of the humanities, or polite literature.

3. One versed in knowledge of human nature.

Related Word Definitions:
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Answer 5

Humanists are mostly atheists who value human life, and spend their lives dedicated to the improvement of humanity as a whole. They work for education, gender equality, gay rights, religious freedom, seperation of church and state, etc.

Answer 6

Humanist- a mindless, self centered pig who thinks they know just about everything in the world, but in truth have no idea, and are trying to make themselves look cool by rejecting basic morals. Usually consists of a person who has had some tragedy occur in their lifetime and get mad at higher powers for it? Basically doing it for personal benefit. Its like some kind of fad. You guys will go out like Beanie Babies.

Answer 7

Humanism is a broad category of active ethical philosophies that affirm the dignity and worth of all people, based on the ability to determine right and wrong by appeal to universal human qualities—particularly rationalism. Humanism is a component of a variety of more specific philosophical systems, and is also incorporated into some religious schools of thought.

Humanism entails a commitment to the search for truth and morality through human means in support of human interests. In focusing on the capacity for self-determination, humanism rejects transcendental justifications, such as a dependence on faith, the supernatural, or divinely revealed texts. Humanists endorse universal morality based on the commonality of human nature, suggesting that solutions to our social and cultural problems cannot be parochial.

Humanism can be used in some ways to fulfill or supplement the role of religions in some people's lives, and therefore qualifies as a stance on religion. It is entirely compatible with naturalism (and therefore atheism), but doesn't strictly require either of these, and is compatible with some religions.

While the broad category of humanism encompasses intellectual currents running through a wide variety of philosophical or religious thought, it is embraced by some people as a complete life stance.

Though the dominant form of modern humanism is agnostic in theology, not all forms of humanism are. However, humanism denies the importance of the supernatural in human affairs, regardless of whether or not it exists. In this way, humanism does not necessarily rule out some form of theism or deism, and there are many humanists who consider themselves religious, some of whom are members of (typically, liberal) religious organizations. What humanism clearly rejects is deference to supernatural beliefs in resolving human affairs, not necessarily the beliefs themselves.

For that matter, agnosticism or atheism on its own doesn't necessarily entail humanism. Indeed, many different and incompatible philosophies are atheistic in nature.

Renaissance humanism, and its emphasis on returning to the sources, contributed to the Protestant reformation in helping to gain a more accurate translation of Biblical texts.

(More info at the site listed below)

Answer 8

Satanists. I hear the church of Satan is full of humanists. Good people, when society has you listed as a reject.

Answer 9

Someone who values humans.

Answer 10

Someone who has faith in Humanity.