In 1999, I attended a symposium organized by the Boulder International Humanist Institute (BIHI) in Boulder, Colorado.[1] This is around the time when I first started discussing the idea of writing a book about humanism that would include tenets to encapsulate the main principles. Teaching people was a part of my job then, too, and I recognized the value of providing accessible reminders that readers can refer back to, so they don’t have to re-read entire sections in order to recall the central conclusions. That’s why I include the main Tenets for each section in an accessible list format, and the Fundamental Tenets at the end of the book, also provided as an easily referenced list.

I also see a need for it in the literature of atheism and secular humanism, to educate the general public about the humanistic values that most atheists share with most of them. One of my hopes is that in doing this, I can help to foster understanding between all groups and reduce misunderstanding of and discrimination against atheists.

This is primarily a synthesis of existing knowledge. I have tried to do so in a novel way and with a new (and, I believe, necessary) voice. There is far too much antagonism between the religious and non-religious communities. There is a need for an inclusive naturalistic philosophy, and that is what I am presenting here.

There is another benefit, I think, of a layman’s take: The fields of science and philosophy seem to many of us to be difficult, highbrow, and remote. However, I think they can be accessible to everyone.

Much of what is Humanism can coexist equally well in the minds and hearts of atheists and of theists alike. Humanism is implicitly secular (separate from religion; not with or against any particular religion[3]). The Philosophy of Humanism, as elucidated by Corliss Lamont, does include atheism by excluding any supernatural entities, including God. However, there is also much in humanism that atheists and theists can and do share. Theists can (and many, if not most, do) believe in and support “the ethical imperative of Humanism [of] compassionate concern for all of our fellow human beings”[4] and “… the guiding principle of … concentration on the welfare, progress, and happiness of all humanity.”[5] However, these human qualities do not belong to, nor were they invented by, any religion – they are ours, all of ours, as humans, theists and atheists alike.

Because this truth is unknown to many, I offer this analysis of the values and principles of Humanistic Atheism.

[1] I think this organization is now defunct. It was founded by Gordon Gamm and you can see its nonprofit registration info here: http://www.nonprofitfacts.com/CO/Boulder-International-Humanist-Institute.html. Not to be confused with the entity currently using the .info TLD. Gordon is now at United Coalition of Reason (https://unitedcor.org/) in Washington, D.C. where he continues his commendable work.

[2] We were expected to go get the dictionary, bring it back to the dinner table, and read the definition aloud for the benefit of all, a practice I plan to continue with my kids.

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secularity

[4] The Philosophy of Humanism by Corliss Lamont, p. xvii

[5] Ibid., p. xiii