Welcome to the Stand-Up Humanist!

If you’re a regular to the non-religious section here on Patheos you know many of the non-religious voices have moved on to different pastures. I wish these writers the best. May they find the greener grasslands they seek and their new home on the web be a successful endeavor.

As for myself I’m staying put, although I’ve acquired a new alias and facelift.

My old blog, Thinkadelics, The Art of Free Thought is still here. Like a recently extinguished romantic flame I still miss her. But she was far too idealistic to hold widespread interest on this forum, so I set her free.

Her memories still linger, though, gracing her archives in posts which sought to point the way to freedom beyond religion, and to which I suspect will now disintegrate into obscurity like ancient, long forgotten papyrus texts.

Such is life: The only constant is change.

Truth be told, I tried to break up with her months ago. I even relished the idea of what I’d do with the extra 25 hours of free time I’d have, but Patheos offered me a new opportunity to talk about life from a humanist’s point of view.

What is secular humanism?

Defining secular humanism . . . what can be said about it? A few words . . . it’s kinda boring. Just read through this definition from Wikipedia and you’ll agree. It puts you to sleep.

“Secular humanism, often simply called humanism, is a philosophy or life stance that embraces human reason, secular ethics, and philosophical naturalism while specifically rejecting religious dogma, supernaturalism, and superstition as the basis of morality and decision making.”

Ho hum—who ponders these grand concepts before starting their hectic day?

Actually, many humanists do. We’re just more practical about it.

Consider the havoc that’s about to be unleashed by Omicron. Think of the demise of democracy here in America and around the globe. Or, the rise of narcissist authoritarians, corrupt politicians, climate change, injustice, racism, poverty—and all the other evils in this world writ large and ad infinitum.

Humanists care deeply about these issues. Yet, we also recognize these evils don’t encompass the totality of the human experience.

Need I bear witness to the plethora of marvels that represent the human experience? Of the cornucopia of wonders in our natural world that are there for our enjoyment? Of our spiritual essence—our creative potential—that lies within each one of us? Or of our potential to build a better world?

Yes, I do, and all in good time.

Why I launched the Stand-Up Humanist

This is the main reason I launched the Stand-Up Humanist: To express how exciting it is to be a warm-blooded human and to have been given the gift of life! But to do so in a more light-hearted way with a bit of humor, irony, satire, and wit.

And yet, there is another focus to this column, one that has to do with the idea of “standing up” for one’s beliefs.

For in a world where few people can tell the difference between fact and fiction, this world needs secular humanists to shine a light and disperse the madness. To offer clarity of thought and to put an end to the dogma, supernaturalism, and superstition polluting the airwaves of life. To teach others how to embrace “human reason and secular ethics” as the only universal values that can propel humanity forward.

Now, I can’t promise you I’m going to be hilarious all the time. Or, that I’ve even got something profound to say. But I’m sure going to try.