Go back
Spiritual Humanism

Spiritual Humanism

General

i

Felicific Forest

Joined
15 Dec 02
Moves
49429
Clock
17 Sep 03
2 edits
Vote Up
Vote Down

"As Spiritual Humanists we believe that every person has innate right to make a spiritual connection to the rest of the cosmos. Our premise is simple:
We can solve the problems of society using a religion based on reason."

I found this when visiting http://www.spiritualhumanism.org/

This thinking is based on reason, therefore my question:
Is Spiritual Humanism a form of freethinking ?


Acolyte
Now With Added BA

Loughborough

Joined
04 Jul 02
Moves
3790
Clock
18 Sep 03
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by ivanhoe
"As Spiritual Humanists we believe that every person has innate right to make a spiritual connection to the rest of the cosmos. Our premise is simple:
We can solve the problems of society using a religion based on reason."

I found this when visiting http://www.spiritualhumanism.org/

This thinking is based on reason, therefore my question:
Is Spiritual Humanism a form of freethinking ?


Contrary to what the some of the Freethinkers' Clan might say, it's not about what you believe, but why you believe it. I would say a freethinker is someone who has arrived at their religious beliefs more or less independently, rather than subscribing to a particular church; probably still a minority, but one that includes believers and non-believers. From what you have said, you sound like a freethinker, and although I have similar views on religion to my parents, I'd like to think I've thought it through enough to count as a freethinker as well.

Humanism, however, is more specific: humanists believe that humanity has to find its own way through life; we can't rely on instructions from gods or assistance from angels, nor on an afterlife. Humanists don't always insist on rationality, though; those that do are usually referred to as 'secular humanists'. 'Spiritual humanism', on the other hand, clearly has an emotional element, as it tries to provide an alternative to religion on an emotional level. I'm more of a secular humanist myself, but I can see why some people prefer the spiritual version.

r
CHAOS GHOST!!!

Elsewhere

Joined
29 Nov 02
Moves
17317
Clock
18 Sep 03
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Acolyte
Contrary to what the some of the Freethinkers' Clan might say, it's not about what you believe, but why you believe it.
Actually, I think that the Freethinkers agree on method, and not doctrine.

Acolyte
Now With Added BA

Loughborough

Joined
04 Jul 02
Moves
3790
Clock
18 Sep 03
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by royalchicken
Actually, I think that the Freethinkers agree on method, and not doctrine.
Not quite sure what you mean. Are you referring to the clan or freethinkers as a whole, and what do you mean by 'method'?

rwingett
Ming the Merciless

Royal Oak, MI

Joined
09 Sep 01
Moves
27626
Clock
18 Sep 03
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Acolyte
Not quite sure what you mean. Are you referring to the clan or freethinkers as a whole, and what do you mean by 'method'?
I think he means the scientific method as being the most reliable way of determing what is to be considered "true".

i

Felicific Forest

Joined
15 Dec 02
Moves
49429
Clock
18 Sep 03
1 edit
Vote Up
Vote Down

" ... From what you have said, you sound like a freethinker ... " Acolyte

You mean me ?

r
CHAOS GHOST!!!

Elsewhere

Joined
29 Nov 02
Moves
17317
Clock
18 Sep 03
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Acolyte
Not quite sure what you mean. Are you referring to the clan or freethinkers as a whole, and what do you mean by 'method'?
Sorry Colin. I meant that the Freethinkers Clan does not support a single doctrine (we have a vast and respectable Christian contingent, some atheists, agnostics, humanists, maybe a nihilist or a solipsist in the mix as well). Instead, we by definition agree in principle that ideas are not to be trusted without passing some tests of validity that I think you did a fairly good job of describing in your first post in "The Art of Debating".

i

Felicific Forest

Joined
15 Dec 02
Moves
49429
Clock
19 Sep 03
1 edit
Vote Up
Vote Down

How is the situation in the states concerning Freethinking.
How many people (in percentages) in the States consider themselves to be agnost, atheïst, freethinker, humanist or nothing at all (indifferent towards every kind of thinking about personal life, society and how the world and everything in it evolves ?

Are there any "schools", different ways of approaching the issues, within Freethinking ?

i

Felicific Forest

Joined
15 Dec 02
Moves
49429
Clock
19 Sep 03
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by ivanhoe
How is the situation in the states concerning Freethinking.
How many people (in percentages) in the States consider themselves to be agnost, atheïst, freethinker, humanist or nothing at all (indifferent towards every kind of thinking about personal life, society and how the world and everything in it evolves ?

Are there any "schools", different ways of approaching the issues, within Freethinking ?


Never mind. I've found what I was looking for:

http://www.ffrf.org/nontracts/freethinker.html
and
http://church.freethought.org/whatis.html

Cookies help us deliver our Services. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More.