Nick -- Secular Humanism, Reconstructionism

[Guest guest]

Hi Nick --

Following are brief descriptions of both secular humanism, and of

Reconstructionism. Both are broad types of individual " spirituality " without

dogmatic ideas of deities, and based on belief in human ability to solve

problems.

http://www.secularhumanism.org/

What Is Secular Humanism?

Secular Humanism is a term which has come into use in the last thirty years to

describe a world view with the following elements and principles:

A conviction that dogmas, ideologies and traditions, whether religious,

political or social, must be weighed and tested by each individual and not

simply accepted on faith.

Commitment to the use of critical reason, factual evidence, and scientific

methods of inquiry, rather than faith and mysticism, in seeking solutions to

human problems and answers to important human questions.

A primary concern with fulfillment, growth, and creativity for both the

individual and humankind in general.

A constant search for objective truth, with the understanding that new knowledge

and experience constantly alter our imperfect perception of it.

A concern for this life and a commitment to making it meaningful through better

understanding of ourselves, our history, our intellectual and artistic

achievements, and the outlooks of those who differ from us.

A search for viable individual, social and political principles of ethical

conduct, judging them on their ability to enhance human well-being and

individual responsibility.

A conviction that with reason, an open marketplace of ideas, good will, and

tolerance, progress can be made in building a better world for ourselves and our

children.

Reconstructionist Judaism

http://www.jrf.org/recon/movement.html

Reconstructionist Jews understand Judaism to be the outcome of the religious

experience of the Jewish people in their search for meaning and sacred living

throughout history rather than revelation from a supernatural God. Put

differently, Reconstructionists see Jewish tradition, culture, and religion as

having grown " from the ground up " instead of from the " [mountain-]top down. "

Understanding Judaism as having been created by the Jewish people does not make

it less sacred to us. Knowing that Jewish tradition has undergone a long period

of development, change and adaptation does not weaken its claim on our lives,

but rather can strengthen our connection to our tradition. We hear in that

tradition the voices of generations of Jews who sought to record their deepest

values, most profound religious insights, and highest hopes. While

Reconstructionists do not take the Torah literally, we do take it seriously as a

record of our ancestors' search for moral principles and spiritual practices

that can help us become fully human.

Ethics and Values

In a time of wide debate about values, morals and ethics, religion is often

assumed to have answers for any and every situation. But as we come to know the

variety of cultures and religions that exist on our small planet, we come to

know that the discovery of eternal teachings arises from the respectful exchange

of perspectives and ideas among people -- not from authoritarian assertions of

the truth or the primacy of one religion or one religious community over

another. It is in this context that we see ourselves as having an obligation to

social justice and doing the work of tikkun olam, improving our world.

Reconstructionist communities emphasize such acts of social justice alongside

prayer and study as an essential part of their spiritual practice.

*************

Personally I'm not fond of Ellis and SMART has no personal appeal for me.

But I find nothing about it that conflicts with religious or spiritual beliefs

or that makes mention of any such things. I attended SMART for about 3 months

(involuntarily) and never heard any discussion of or affirmation of atheism, or

any quotes from Ellis at all.

~Rita

> Rita,

>

> So how would you define, " secular humanism " ? As I said in another post, I have

been given very different explanations of what the term means and since you seem

knowledgeable on subjects involving religion, I would trust that you have an

accurate understanding of the meaning of the term in relation to religion or

" spirituality " . (I use the term in quotes because, by definition, spirituality

is distinguished by *individuality*, i.e. it distinctly refers to the beliefs of

any one person, and that person's actions (prayer, meditation, etc.) relating to

those beliefs. AA is actually the complete opposite, as despite the " anything

can be your HP " claim, there is nothing individual about the 12 steps, and one

can't revise them while still claiming to be an adamant member of AA.

>

> I still stand by my opinion, though, that SMART is almost completely, if not

completely, based upon Ellis's theories, including his distaste and scorn over

any form of religious practice.

>

> Nick