Picture from Institute for Humanist Studies
At the lower corner of this blog, I have a red "A" which stands for Atheism. Yes, I am an atheist, and am proud to be one. What this means, of course, is that I don't believe in God. Atheism (like any ideology or -ism) is a label, but the thing about labels is that they can be limiting. This is especially when that label has to do with what one doesn't believe. If I had to choose another label to put upon myself, as I am sure many nonbelievers would prefer to put upon themselves, it would be a humanist.
Rather than what one doesn't believe, humanism has to do with what one does believe. There are a variety of definitions for humanism, but I think I prefer the one from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
a doctrine, attitude, or way of life centered on human interests or values; especially: a philosophy that usually rejects supernaturalism and stresses an individual's dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason.
In addition to espousing a belief of the importance of humanity and reason, the label of humanism does more to descredit the notion that nonbelievers (atheists, agnostics, skeptics etc.) are incapable of leading moral and ethical lives because they do not have the threat of consequences via a supernatural power or powers hanging over them.
To talk about some more about humanism, specifically secular humanism (although there is such a thing as religous humanism) as well as the issues of labeling addressed above, here is a video by Patrician Atheist:
To talk about some more about humanism, specifically secular humanism (although there is such a thing as religous humanism) as well as the issues of labeling addressed above, here is a video by Patrician Atheist:
Also, check out websites like the American Humanist Association to learn more about what humanism actually is.
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