I was never a religious person. I had friends who were and even explored a few beliefs myself…Christianity, Buddhism, Wicca, Norse, Pagamism, Mithras, and the Great Spirit to name a few. The one thing I found lacking in all of these was evidence of their actual existence.

I will not argue that they are ineffective, they are not. I say they are effective, but only in the way anything can be effective when Human will is the driving force. Unfortunately, effective does not always parallel with benign or benevolent. Organized religion has shown the capacity for Human malevolence on a scale not achievable by an individual, just as we have seen with many geopolitical bodies throughout history. Anything Human has the challenge of being run by Humans with all their frailties.

Later, after I gave up on religion, I learned about Atheism; I discovered it was okay not to believe in something if there was no evidence, even if many others did. I leaned into it hard; I was the angry atheist. I am glad to say that phase did not last. It did not take long for me to realize Atheism described not what I was, but what I was not. That is when I started to search for what I was. I knew I was a good person. I certainly have many of the same weaknesses shared by every Human. As I aged, I got better at managing those weaknesses, my ethics and self-control matured. What I wanted was a life philosophy, so I started reading philosophy in search of something that defined what I was.

A few things happened during that search. I became a vegetarian for health reasons; a couple of years later that led to me becoming a vegan for ethical reasons. I started listening to Atheist and other philosophy-based podcasts. It was there that I found Stoicism, which was an excellent tool for managing my ignoble behaviors…anger, fear…Stoic practice helped me a great deal with those and others; it also helped with being a vegan in a world that is not always friendly to the position. It was through the podcast medium that I also found Secular Humanism. I started reading about it. I realized the moment I read the Humanist Manifesto that Secular Humanism was what I was looking for. I had been this named thing the entire time…I just did not know what to call it.

That got me thinking. I cannot be the only person to feel like I did then while having no idea it had already been defined and was organized. People had already worked out a position that described leading a capital “G” Good life based on reason and compassion. As the opening of the Humanist Manifesto puts it:

Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.

If there were other humans out there like me, taking no stock in the supernatural but believing in the potential of the greater Good of Humanity itself, then I thought should get the word out.

I joined a Humanist group looking for like-minded people…I did what Humans do…I sought community. I was a member for many years but unfortunately it was too far from my home for me to continue. I left that group but went on to earn an endorsement from the Humanist Society as a Humanist Celebrant.

And here I am. My next step is to register with the state as clergy…a process that can take weeks, I hear. Once I get that done, I will be able to perform legally binding marriages along with memorials, baby naming…all the usual clergy services. Humans find comfort and joy in shared rituals, even if they are strictly secular in nature (see Thanksgiving and Halloween).

One of the things that organized religion does well is fostering community. I plan to tap into the parts that work and use them in a Humanist framework. Religions have been stealing from each other for eons…it is Atheism’s turn. I hope to be a catalyst to building a community.

Community is built by gathering, sharing experiences, celebrating, and supporting each other in times of need. I think pursuing these ideas within a Secular Humanist framework is something that people would be interested in. All the good stuff with no threats of eternal punishment or rules based on long-past sensibilities.

So, what is Humanism, you may ask. This year I am going to explore the question is a series of twelve essays over the course of 2025, this being the first. The next ten will be based on The Ten Commitments. I will end in December with an overview and an invitation. I hope you join me, ask questions, and find value in my musings.

Peace.

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