One area of Humanism that generates discussion and comment within the movement is what is the scope of our worldview. Should we try to solve all the problems we see in the world or should we focus on only a few narrow concerns? One primary purpose is opposing religion but a debate shows up when one wants to go beyond that one issue. Humanism should and does have a ‘broad purpose’ because humans solving human problems is a broad topic and religion could even be connected tangentially to those problems.
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Tag Archives: church and state
Restoring Balance To Religious Freedom
The Center for American Progress (CAP) sees the problem with religious freedom after the Hobby Lobby court decision in 2014. Religious freedom is being used as a weapon to discriminate. CAP has some ideas on how to restore the religious freedom balance. The ideas seem like a good start.
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Did The Federal Prison System Make Humanism A Religion?
The American Humanist Association filed a lawsuit last year on behalf of an inmate at a federal prison in Oregon in order to get Humanism added to the list of recognized religions in the prison system. The lawsuit wasn’t about changing Humanism into a religion, like Islam or Judaism, but to make sure inmates who identify as Humanists can receive the same special treatment members of traditional religions receive. This was all about equal protection under the law.
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National Day of Reason Is Today
Today is the day secular people mark the importance of reason to help humans solve human problems. It is a day opposed to the aims of the National Day of Prayer which promotes magical thinking and doesn’t help address the real basic needs of average Americans.
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James Croft Is Bothered By Secularism
James Croft
I read an essay last night from James Croft about his thoughts after attending the recent American Humanist Association (AHA) convention. Titled ‘Beyond Secularism’, Croft complains that the AHA focuses too much on secularism and not enough on the issues he feels are more important. While I agree that we should be addressing more than ‘just’ secularism. I disagree with Croft’s assessment of the problem – if there is one.
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Secular Groups Jump On Prayer Bandwagon After Town Of Greece Decision
The recent US Supreme Court decision in Town Of Greece v. Galloway, opened the door to ‘legislative’ prayer that can be said at the beginning of a government meeting or event. Although the decision disappointed many secular people, some secular groups have decided to join in and encourage seculars to participate in the ‘prayers’ so that our point of view is represented. It isn’t the best solution to the divisiveness of government prayer but it may help show the court was wrong to allow prayer in the first place when the Christian’s true colors come out.
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