Spiritual Humanism.

[Dan]

I've heard the term before, but never really did any reading or research.
Found this today...

A religion based on the ability of human beings to solve the problems of society using logic and science.

Most people need a religion to help guide them through life's challenges and difficult moral decisions. Recognizing how the power of religious rituals, methods, and communication can impact human behavior, Spiritual Humanism fuses traditional religious behaviors onto the foundation of scientific humanist inquiry.

While it is impossible to remove age old traditions from human culture, we can redirect them by redefining their underlying significance and meanings. Spiritual Humanism is natural, not supernatural. By using a method of scientific inquiry we can define the inspirational, singular spark inherent in all living creatures.

I find it interesting that it's defined as a religion of sorts.
I like what I'm reading so far, because it appeals to my imperfect need to see proof and understand just how tenets apply to the world, as I experience it, in the present.
By using a method of scientific inquiry we can define the inspirational, singular spark inherent in all living creatures.
That's probaby a statement that many will disagree with.
For me, and me only, it means defining, at last, that which may be undefinable with my limited grasp of other religions.

[Live]

Thank you. I would like to come back to this later. Still on rent-a-computer. With a spanish keyboard.

[Live]

Actually, Dan, I sighed, you are going to make me do a lot of work! The terminology spiritual humanism is new to me, it used to be secular humanism and it was never defined as a religion.

The Dalai Lama addresses this very eloquently and speaks of this need before any religion. That we are humans, first, with human principles, needs and ethics based on reality. Much later in life do we become identified, if at all, with a religion. And he asserts that this is not even necessary.

This is a book I have not read lately. So I am not doing this subject justice. If you like to read I would highly recommend Ethics for the New Millienium which is not a religious book, nor is it a Buddhist book, it of the universal human need for a good life in accordance with the reality of nature and science.
I can also refer you to others that are working closely with cutting edge science if you are interested. I find them fascinating, albeit it difficult reading, but certainly worth the work.

[Dan]

Here's a link to the site where I found the above quote.
http://www.spiritualhumanism.org/index.htm

As I understand it, Secular Humanism and Spiritual Humanism are two different things.

[Live]

without even looking, let me guess, one has a spirit, the other doesn't?

[Dan]

I wouldn't know Live...
I just posted the link for you or others that might want to read up on it.
I have to be honest, I was looking for material about Carl Sagan when I chanced upon that site. I thought it might be of interest. Some of the stuff appeals to me.

[Live]

dandy.
here's the site I had in mind
if it is wrong it is my bad memory.

www.MindandLife.com

[Live]

ps, you are looking at astronomy and cosmology and I am looking at neuroscience.

Interesting that the paths crossed.

[Rev. Maureen]

Hello everyone,

My name is Maureen, and I came across this forum quite by accident. I am an ordained clergy member of the Church of Spiritual Humanism, and in doing a web search for some of our other member's websites, I came across the link to this thread.

Although I am not personally in recovery (my primary addictions being and ), I hope that you do not mind my registering for the forum. I did so only to answer any questions you may have about CSH or what it means to be a spiritual humanist.

There is a Humanist Manifesto, which explains the general concepts and philosophies of humanism as they relate to personal, political, social, global, environmental, and economic issues. Although it is not a "bible" for humanists, it does serve as a guide, and could help an individual determine if humanism is right for them. Here are some links:
http://www.americanhumanist.org/about/manifesto2.html

http://www.americanhumanist.org/3/Hu...spirations.htm

http://www.spiritualhumanism.org/rituals.htm

http://www.spiritualhumanism.org/hymn.htm

And a quote from the CSH FAQ page:

Is this a Christian church?

The Church of Spiritual Humanism is a humanist church, and does not endorse christian theology. Christians are welcome to join but the tenets of the church are not based on the christian belief system. Our central tenant is that Religion must be based on Reason. The church will only endorse beliefs for with evidence verifiable by the scientific method. Since belief in gods is still a matter of faith rather than science we do not yet endorse it. If verifiable evidence of the supernatural is discovered the church be happy to adopt it into our religious system.

I also suggest that you visit our forum here:
http://www.spiritualhumanism.org/phpBB2/index.php

Registration takes only a moment, and we are always glad to answer questions as well as welcoming new perspectives and voices to our group. It may be more helpful in your decision if you meet some of those who are already living as and practicing the principles of humanists in their daily lives.

In the meantime, I will be happy to answer any questions you may have, as well as I may, right here. Thank you all for your interest, and again, I hope my presence is not an intrusion.

Sincerely,
Rev. Maureen, O.C.P.
www.spiritualhumanism.org

(PS - LOVE those smileys!! We have very limited choices on our forum - yours are totally rockin'!!

[CAPTAINZING2000]

Welcome,

Nice to have you here. LOL hope you can kick the butt They'll kill you.

Chris

[doorknob]

Cool stuff! Reminds me a little of the UU church.

Doorknob

[ggnewme]

Indeed - in an effort to try and make the 12 steps work for me (in al-anon) I have recently been taking my agnostic butt to various UU discussions and services. I went to an Ethical Humanist "service" once, but there was no spirituality to be found.

I'm finding a home at a UU church in Chicago, comprised of pagans, agnostics, atheists, humanists, you name it... well who knew that all the people still questioning all this had formal gatherings? Anyway, been long looking for a way to be "spiritual" and uncertain at the same time, and a forum of like thinkers to always be talking about it and challenging my notions of religion.

I think I'm settling on UU, with the idea that "god" - in kind of an existential sense - is present in all things. This makes step 3 a little tricky for me, as I also believe in free will. Anyway, it's more about philosophy than religion, but "I Heart Huckabees" is a great movie about, well, what's the purpose of any individual life...?

[AkiraAten]

Glad to find other people out there who are interested in learning more about Earth religions. I am new here just posted a message not to long ago.
I am hear to learn from others out there I am a wife with a husband that is an alcholic about 10 days he has been going to AA meetings so I am glad that he has taken the first step. I am here for him trying to be the guiding hand in his healing but its very hard to understand all of this right now because he has had this problem for awhile and now is admitting it. I am a teaching of Ancient Egyptian Paganism so I know first hand its quit the difference in learning an Earth based religion. I hope to find other people out there that I can talk with that has been there with there husbands through this time.
Blessed be
AkiraAten