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By Dr. Christopher C. Bell Jr.
July 18, 2010
A. Introductory Remarks
B. What is humanism and its principle beliefs? Humanism is a
philosophy that is concerned with values and ideals that are
distinctly human as opposed to values and ideals that were set up by
a superhuman power. Humanism is rooted in the belief that it is
possible for civilized people to create moral codes to live by, and
that they do not need a supernatural arbiter. ) Emphasis is on what
man can and should do to attain the “good life” and not on what God
demands of man.
C. What are the principles beliefs of Humanism
(1) Humanity is responsible for the human
condition and the corrections of humanity’s plight; that achieving
the “good” must be the result of human values and human effort
rather than upon the actions and dictates of a superior or divine
power;
(2) that if man is to improve himself, his life, or the character of
the world in which he lives, he must do it by himself. He cannot
count on God to look after him; and the sooner he realizes this, the
better for all concern
(3) Modern humanists adhere to the moral principles of
_The Golden Rule (do as you would be done by)
_Utilitarianism (the greatest good for the greatest number)
_ The use of the human conscious in consideration of the
consequences of our
actions
(4) Suspicion toward or rejection of
supernatural explanations and claims
(5) Most humanists will acknowledge the existence of forces and
dynamics that create and sustain human life and the world (the
existence), but would say that man can only wonder and speculate
about these forces and dynamics.
D. A humanist has a different way of looking at life than a theist
(a believer in the existence of a God or gods)
(1) A theist says that suffering is the product of some divine plan,
i.e., the Will of God. However, a humanist says suffering is the
result of two things (1) human action (thru folly or malice) and the
randomness of nature. Under these two schemes, it is not God who has
the power to end suffering, but humanity. (Is Haiti a natural
disaster story or a poverty story or a combination of both?) (Does
Haiti’s tragedy result from the earthquake alone or from a history
of the structural violence of poverty, racism, and economic
isolation/colonization that are prolonged acts of human
wickedness?).
(2) A theist may say that suffering is redemptive, but a humanist
would say that suffering is not redemptive and saying that it is so
makes the oppressed complicit in their own oppression. Any religion
that denies human responsibility for suffering or conceives of the
pain of the oppressed as redeeming or as a saving Grace is a
religion of oppression.
Note: Redemptive means to repair, restore, reform, to free from the
consequences of sin, to release from blame.
(3) A theist may start to explain the physic of the world by saying:
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and then
created man and … (did so and so).
But the humanist would start to explain the physics of the world by
saying:
In the beginning, man looked out at an unkind and unfriendly world,
became afraid, and then created the idea of gods with whom he might
gain favor or advantage in coping with or conquering his hardships
or enemies
E. Comparison of UU and Humanist Principles
(1) The inherent worth and dignity of every person
Comparative humanistic values:
a. Strive and work together for the common good;
b. Right to privacy, Right to be able to die with dignity
(2) Justice, equity and compassion in human relations
Comparative humanistic values: Work to secure justice and fairness
in society
( 3) Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth
in our congregation
Comparative humanistic values:
a. Concerned about moral education and moral decencies such as
altruism, integrity, honesty, truthfulness, etc.
b. A way of thinking that turns away from a theology or philosophy
of despair or violence .
(4) A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
Comparative humanistic values:
a. Committed to reason and science to explain the world and not to
supernatural explanations
b. Does not look outside of nature to solve mankinds’ problems.
(5) The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process
within our congregations and in society at large
Comparative humanistic values
a. Democracy is the best guarantee of the protection of human rights
(6) The goal of a world community with peace, liberty, and justice
for all. Note: Of interest is the UU mantra of “On the Side of
Love.”
Comparative humanistic values:
a. Believe in optimism rather than pessimism, and hope rather than
despair;
b. Believe in enjoying life here and now and in developing our
creative talents to their fullest.
c. Will work to eliminate or transcend divisive loyalties based on
race, religion, gender, etc
(7) Respect for the interdependent web of all existence
Comparative humanistic values:
a. Acknowledges that man is a part of the creation and should
respect the contributions of all species toward the grandeur of the
creation itself.
b. Believe in protecting and enhancing the earth and to preserve it
for future generations
c. Believe in avoiding inflicting needless suffering on other
species
Additional humanists beliefs
a. Believe that “freedom from religion” should be an inherent right
for all
b. Believe in a rigid separation between church and state,
c. Believe that no special tax exemptions should benefit the
professional clergy.
F. What role does faith play in the life of a humanist?
There are many definitions of faith, but Humanist have faith in the
ability of men (human beings) to find and live the “good life” and
to promote compassion and sharing between human beings at the
“personal level,” and to be persuasive in those forums that address
world peace.
G. So what is the big deal about Black Humanist and why should their
existence matter to UUs?
1. The Big Deal is: The fact that a group of “African American
Humanists” held their first national conference means they have come
out of the closet and are now brave enough and numerous enough to
publicly make their feelings known. This is big news? Why?
African Americans have been “haunted” for years by claims from some
of their own activists members that their acceptance of mysticisms
(as reflected in Christian dogma) retards their development as human
beings.
In addition, American white society now equates black people’s
propensity for religion with their failure to use rational thinking
to improve their lives and their historical position of
powerlessness in society. The AAH now refutes these claims, and UUs
should know and appreciate that some black people are beginning to
leave (runaway from) the religious reservations on which they were
raised.
Many whites see blacks as a group of people who are waiting for some
unseen force (Jesus Christ or God) to rescue or deliver them from
the various oppressive evils of their society; and perhaps take them
to heaven. For a group of African American to make themselves seen
and known as humanists is tantamount to an open challenge to the
whole of American society. Remember, not only are these black
humanists off the black religious plantation, they are also thinking
in ways that are contrary to the majority white population. These
African Americans are making themselves into fringe-dwellers or
pace-setters with respect to both the black community and the white
population. And this is big news, because for centuries, blacks have
followed the thinking patterns that they have learned from white
people in almost everything. This variance in religious thinking is
a landmark occurrence in black people’s trek toward
self-realization.
2. Why should it matter to UUs?
It should matter because: Most of us who are UUs are humanists
whether we know it or not, and we should have information concerning
those who share our basic understanding about the physics of the
world and about the fears, hopes, and struggles of mankind.
Now you know that as UUs, you are not unique in your perspectives on
traditional religion. Most of us who are UUs are “runaways” from our
traditional family religion and may not be welcomed in our own
families. Now you are aware that there are some black people who
think and feel the same way as you do about their traditional
“family” religion and have now made a public statement about their
non-beliefs in the present pattern of Christianity. Most AAH have
come to their religious and spiritual persuasion independent of
white people, but have not yet organized themselves as UUs. have
done. In fact, some of these AAH may be good candidates to become
UUs.
It should matter because now you know, that like you, some black
people are aware of the psychological oppression of many religious
beliefs and are trying to free themselves from such oppressions.
Christianity like most religions has a “group-think” mantra; a “hear
and obey” mode of thinking. White UUs do not feel the same
oppressions from Christianity as do black humanists. White UUs
become “runaways from Christianity” because of a need for
“intellectual” freedom. Black humanist are runaways from
Christianity and they too seek intellectual freedom, but they are
also seeking a psychological and emotional relief from the stress
produced by the white superiority trappings of the white man’s
Christianity.
It should matter because: Like UUs the AAH are either fringe
dwellers or pace setters Most black people like most white people in
America are Christians. Most black people in American have ancestors
that received Christianity as a result of the training and
compelling actions of their white slave masters. Black Humanists do
not believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ and many do not believe
in the classical God of the Bible and as a result of their un-belief
in these matter they are outsiders. Black humanists are seen as
‘fringe-dwellers” with regard to the general black population. Thus
black humanists are in the same predicament with black people as UUs
are with regard to the larger white population, and each must
determine how they view themselves; as pace-setters or
fringe-dweller.
Summary:
1. We have reviewed the similarities and differences between UUs and
black humanists beliefs and principles.
2. We may conclude that most UUs are themselves humanist.
3. We know that black humanists like UUs are either fringe-dwellers
or pace- setters; it depends on their individual perspective, but
their presence in the larger society has not raised much curiosity
and is seen only as a small aberration.
4. Black humanists would probably be good candidates to become UUs
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