What is Humanism?

Humanism is a way of thinking and living without religion. Humanists believe that people can care about morality, human purpose and human dignity without appealing to religion or superstition. We use reason to decide for ourselves how we should live, and seek to improve the lives of all human beings.

Humanism is non-dogmatic, encouraging people to take responsibility for their own actions using reason, combined with the available evidence, as their guide.

Humanism is a non-religious, naturalist philosophy. As such, most humanists are atheist or agnostic, though humanism can also include theists who do not use sacred texts as primary guidance for their actions.

Selected Quotes

A humanist, as I understand the term, says: ‘this world is good enough for me, if only I can be good enough for it.’ —William Empson

A man’s ethical behaviour should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties and needs; no religious basis is necessary. —Albert Einstein