Humanism
Humanist rituals include baby namings
History
Humanism – a philosophy which places human beings, rather than a god or gods at the centre of life – originated in ancient Greece. Manuscripts dating from 600BC record discussions between Greek scholars about the purpose of life and the role of the gods in it. The philosopher Protagoras, (490-420 BC) wrote: 'Man is the measure of all things.'
For the next 800 years, these ideas continued to be explored throughout the Middle East and western Europe. But from the 6th century AD, during the Dark Ages, the church gained power and stifled debate about the existence of god.
The Renaissance brought renewed interest in classical art and philosophy – and the invention of the printing press gave many more people access to ideas beyond their own immediate experience. Once again people again started to question whether supernatural forces or human beings were in charge. Alexander Pope (1686-1744) wrote: 'Know then thyself, presume not God to scan; the proper study of mankind is man.'
By the 19th century science was challenging religious doctrine. The best-known example was the publication in 1859 of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species. His theory of evolution was in direct conflict with biblical accounts of the creation of the world.
Humanist ideas continued to grow throughout the 20th century and in 1952, the first International Congress of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) was held in Amsterdam. Today it has more than three million members in 30 countries.
Beliefs
Humanism focuses on the value of human beings. Humanists assert that people are in control of their lives and the societies they belong to, and it is in their own hands – not God's – to improve life for everyone.
Moral values, they say, come from human needs and experience and are not imposed from above by a supernatural being. Humanists argue that life should be based on evidence, not faith. On that basis, we have only one life and need to live it to the full rather than waiting in expectation of reward or punishment in an afterlife.
They carry out humanist rites of passage – rituals for birth, death, marriage, coming of age – which do not include god but place human beings at the heart of their own existence.
