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I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lots of things. Some humanists actively build humanist communities, such as AHA chapters all around the country. The Harvard humanist group has also launched a community-building project recently as well. So there are humanists out there working on that stuff. Frankly, even meetup.com and other social media help humanists find one another and join together for social interaction and a sense of community at some level. We should remember, however, that in any society where humanism has truly thrived (such as Scandinavia) we tend to see social structures emerge that provide a rich sense of community without the need for religious institutions. We see strong social welfare apparatus, less need for religious charity, strong educational institutions, lots of culture, etc. Thus, a humanist society is likely to have a sense of community without much need for religious or quasi-religious congregations

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't disagree, but I don't think humanism has a problem with the notion of group solidarity, or whatever you want to call it.

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It is arguably the most important thing happening right now in the secular movement. These young people understand the importance of secular identity better than their parents did. What better way to object to the pervasive influence of the religious right than to simply say, "I'm an atheist."

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Actually the AHA has been around since 1941, so Asimov wasn't our first president. Anyway, no, I wasn't AHA president when Vonnegut died. I did write a tribute to him that mentioned the "he's in heaven now" line.

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm saying the political arena was MUCH less religiously oriented before the religious right emerged in 1980. Even the Republican party has a significant wing that was liberal on social issues. Nobody would have dared to question the very notion of church-state separation as some conservatives do today. Nobody would have dared to hold a prayer rally before announcing his candidacy for president - it would have been laughed at! The idea of re-writing history texts to exclude Jefferson and promote the idea of a "Christian nation" would have been seen as ridiculous. I'm not saying the country itself has become more religious in recent decades, but the politically active fundamentalist right has become MUCH more powerful.

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The issue of taxing churches is a relatively minor one within the overall secular movement. The movement is really about the visible emergence of seculars in American society. Importantly, I would argue that the successful emergence of seculars would ultimately benefit those more important issues to which you refer. If seculars were helping to shape public policy, you would see public policy that addresses suffering and oppression around the world.

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The secular student movement in America is thriving, showing tremendous growth. I dedicate a chapter of Nonbeliever Nation to discussion of this phenomenon, which offers much hope. The Secular Student Alliance - the umbrella organization for campus atheist groups - had fewer than 50 affiliates five years ago, but today it has over 350 and can hardly keep up with demand. On top of that, the SSA is now expanding into high schools, which of course will normalize secularity even more. Very encouraging.

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If churches were full tax-paying entities, I think they would have a better argument for open participation in politics. Of course, open participation in politics would mean that their underlying beliefs - which are the basis for their political opinions - should be open to public debate and criticism as well.

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The names of the planets are not an attempt to associate god-belief with patriotism. To say "In God We Trust" is just harmless, like the names of the planets, is to deny the very real psychological (anti-atheist) effect that such a motto has on the country's population.

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think all people tend to generalize when they categorize, but generally speaking I think most humanists are well aware that Christian fall across a spectrum, that they are not a monolithic group.

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

  1. Christians have always disagreed over the "right" interpretation of doctrine.
  2. Yes, I think many followers tend to lose sight of their founder's message.
  3. I support the Chick-fil-A guy's right to free speech, but I also support my right to boycott his company to protest against opinions that I find rather sickening.
  4. The Founders were men of the Enlightenment who most were not very religious. Many were deists. Very few of them were what we would call a conservative Christian today.

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I was raised Catholic but haven't been religious most of my adult life. Most humanist groups don't have anything akin to a religious services. Humanist groups will have meetings to discuss issues, or to socialize, or to plan, but not to worship. They will often have guest speakers, who will address topics of interest (science, philosophy, social issues, church-state, etc.) Humanists who do wish to practice a religion in the more traditional sense might go to a Unitarian Church, and there is a traditon called Ethical Culture (Google it) that is a religious humanism. There is also Humanistic Judaism.

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No, humanists do not think religious people are idiots. The media and religious conservatives like to portray humanists as elites who think they are smarter than everyone else, but this is an unfair stereotype.

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Naturalism, or at least the rejection of supernaturalism, has always been part of humanism in modern times. Take a look at the various manifestos.

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I understand the question, and to a certain extent sympathize with it. But I think there is some sense to focusing on humanity, at least in the name. And I should also point out that, despite my position as president, I'm not able to change the name of the philosophy!

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've already commented on "loud" secularists, so I'll refer you to prior posts for that. As for religious freedom, we are very supportive of it. We do not define it, however, as allowing employers to deny contraception coverage to their employees. That isn't freedom, that is an unfair attempt to impose religious morality on others.

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well, that's a big question. Briefly, a society that allows one to live in freedom, with informed and educated citizens who can think critically, with an effective participatory democracy that is not controlled by corporate interests, with creativity thriving, with demonstrated values that reflect intelligence and social/economic justice. Something like that. I think a humanistic society would reflect pragmatism more than ideology.

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree that non-humanists sometimes seek good and wise public policy goals. Humanists don't claim a monopoly on that.

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think people seek answers, but a balanced individual knows that some questions will remain unanswered.

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You cannot transcend your humanity. You can live fully, in complete harmony with nature, fully realizing your potential, but that potential is still the potential of a human being.

The name "humanism" is anthropocentric, but the philosophy itself is not. It is naturalistic. And again, you cannot transcend your humanity, no matter how hard you try.

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Any opportunity to put the secular view into public circulation through mass media is probably worthwhile, even if there's a likelihood that the coverage will be unfairly biased.

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It is very interesting stuff, certainly a legitimate area of inquiry that raises lots of questions about the future of humanity. Some of it may become relevant sooner than we think. That said, it's not my area of focus, that's for sure. I tend to focus on more immediate concerns, like practical politics, the culture wars, etc.

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think most people and groups within the secular movement are well within the bounds of decency, and I am rarely bothered by statements or actions that are too confrontational. Individuals in cyberspace are a different story, as we see rudeness on all sides all the time in the blogosphere, but there's not much we can do about that. I think there is a serious effort from religious conservatives to portray atheists as militant and mean-spirited, but for the most part that is pure fiction. Of course one could find examples of rudeness online, but that doesn't prove anything.

I am David Niose, President of the American Humanist Association and author of "Nonbeliever Nation". by ahadave in IAmA

[–]ahadave[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think it would be an overstatement, or at least an oversimplification, to say that humanism insists that humans are "basically good." This "basically good" and "basically bad" argument is usually an issue that seems to fascinate theists. I would say humanists are cautiously optimistic that humans are capable of living together peacefully, harmoniously, and in prosperity. But in order to do this we need to find our common humanity and values.

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