Sandi Toksvaig on humanism

Well like others I m 100% humanist according to that quiz
But I m not into being labelled and a few questions I had to pick the nearest not necessarily exact answer

I think the humanists I know have what used to be called "christian" principles without the trappings of religion.In other words we care for the sick ,the elderly and vulnerable .We help those in need ,we try not to be judgemental of others choices or habits .We have no need of churches or ministers who in my opinion are often bigots about their own beliefs ,not all but many that I have come accross .I have been in a business for 50 years where I met on average 3 ministers and priests a week so I have met more than a few .
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The larger religions are money making machines ,taking from their poorer congregations and stockpiling properties and wealth that they say is needed by "the church" .Didn't Jesus say that buildings and things weren't important? That wherever people gather in his name was the church.Religion will die unless it moves with the times ,its a fiction that can be updated to suit the times IF it must continue .

An old thread but while I’m ‘in the mood’ ? I feel compelled to make a point about the title ‘Humanist’ My belief has always been to respect individual choices and that people should get on together in a world filled with personal opinions and rightly so. The word humanist irks me as it suggests that people of faith do not respect the human race to the same extent. Spirituality and humanism walk hand in hand in my humble opinion. ? ? I think I’ll do the quiz although I’ve no doubts about my result. ?

The following is a quote from the Information about the course

This course is not designed to present a body of facts about humanism as though it were some doctrine or creed. Instead its aim is to present a series of questions and issues that many humanists grapple with today and explore how they might respond. There is diversity within humanism, and a humanist outlook on life involves the belief that everything is open to question. This course will therefore try not to lay down ‘absolute truths’ about the nature of humanism, nor to generalise its claims as representative of all humanists. Some of the content will express personal opinions about humanist beliefs and values. Nonetheless there is much consensus between humanists on many of their beliefs and values and we will try to reflect this.

Nor are we trying to argue the case for humanism, but rather we aim to develop your understanding of why humanists believe it is the most reasonable and responsible approach to life. You will not be expected to agree with the humanist’s conclusions. The humanist’s story is just one of many examples of how human beings have tried to understand how things are, what we can know, and how we should live. However, it is important to recognise that, although its contribution to contemporary thinking and modern society is often not recognised or identified, it is an approach to life that has had a significant impact on the beliefs and values of a large and growing number of the world’s population today.

This course therefore aims to increase your knowledge and understanding of humanism as well as the tensions and dilemmas contained within it.

You will find videos to watch and articles to read, as well as links to further resources to deepen your understanding.

The desired goal, however, is not purely to pass on such knowledge, but for you (whether you agree, disagree, or lie somewhere in between) to use what you learn to support your own journey to find answers to the questions that are explored. There will be plenty of opportunity for you to share your own thoughts and ask your own questions, and we hope that you will engage with your fellow learners wherever there is the opportunity.

It is hoped that you will see the content as a stimulus, as something to be discussed and disagreed with, interrogated and improved upon. Hopefully it will encourage debate and awaken the hunger to learn more.

A note. When we use the word ‘humanists’ in this course, we do not claim to speak for all humanists. However, it would be cumbersome to say ‘some’ or ‘many’ or ‘most’ humanists every time we speak about something on which the majority of humanists would agree, even if there might not be unanimous agreement. Where, on the other hand, disagreement is more prevalent among humanists, we will be more explicit about it.

*Twiceasnice" Quiz and course are not constructed by the same people, so the course will, I hope, be less simplistic. Certainly sounds like it so far. The quiz was a bit like those "Which vegetable do you most resemble?" types on Facebook to get you onto a website - fun but not necessarily all that deep.

Did the quiz - I am 100 per cent Humanist! Thanks for this, Elegran. I've just signed up for the course.

The quiz says I am 24% humanist and I obviously have a religious faith. To me the questions were too simplistic and some answers didn't really reflect how I would probably answer. Not for me I don't think

Jane I did think that it was too obvious which of the answers in the quiz would point to which labels. More devious and complex questions would have been better.

"how wide are the margins of humanism?" - let's hope the course answers that question. The answer should be better than knowing nothing about it and making assumptions..

However, it is always worth finding out more about an interesting subject - or philosophy - so the course is worth thinking about.

I am not sure why it has to have a label though, perhaps some people just are and how wide are the margins of humanism?

I decided to answer a bit recklessly the next time and am only 62% a humanist now

The quiz didn't seem to have the answers I'd have ticked. I gave up on it. I don't think I'm anything in particular but am interested to consider possibilities.

You often see or hear things like "Why does God allow . . ." this ot that, where the thing that people don't want allowed is something that occurs naturally, as a result of natural processes - children getting ill, for instance, or people dying in earthquakes or tsunamis caused by geological disturbances.

I have signed up for it. Thanks for flagging it up. Like others I came out as 100% (not a surprise) and also don't like being labelled (politically or in any other way) because by definition it means you have to sign up to the whole package. Interestingly the Christian package has many guises, so people sign up to different ones - I wonder if it is the same for humanism. I am about to find out!

Seems so Elegran,

Why does this cause some to criticise though? I attend a Pagan Spring celebration, they tie ribbons to trees, I think a tree is beautiful and ribbons not needed but accept and understand it is important to those who tie the ribbons .

No idea how my God is suppose to intervene in nature,

Humanists don't believe in any god that intervenes in nature.

I suspect that some people want to be free themselves from anything that restricts them to one specific rulebook when they are making decisions, but are quite happy to condemn someone else's source of guidelines.

I have always accepted and respected this Elegran, but find Christianity is not accepted and respected by many humanitarians , Atheists .

Without actually reading any of the definitions, I would guess that it goes something like this - when we are very young we are nice to other children because the adults in our lives tell us that is how we should treat them, but after we grow up we can recognise that other people are just like us, so we can treat them fairly without needing an authority figure to lay down rules. Extending that awareness, with a bit of thought we can work out for ourselves how best to live.

I don't feel it is necessary to automatically consign religion to the wheelie-bin, though, just to realise that there are other routes to making good decisions.

Well I came out 100% humanist . So nothing surprising at all for me.
Very interesting Elegran thank you for the links .

Just so true Elegran

I think that I will decide what I am and whether or not I want a label, agnostic, humanist or whatever.
The quiz labels me as 100% humanist too shysal but I think I am a sceptical pragmatist.

So it is not either/or. The principles of Christianity and humanism are really both connected to humanity loving thy neighbour and considering others.

I am 49% humanist,