Ethical Humanism as a Religious Approach

Calling all humanists, rationalists, freethinkers, nontheists, atheists, agnostics
Study group forming in Madison*

Time and location to be determined based on participants preferences'…probably on the isthmus or the near west side. Starting date is Feb. 8, 2009; probably will meet monthly. Below is a tentative outline of topics. If you are interested in participating, please contact Bob Park at loonfoot@gmail.com or 608-273-8775. Include your preferences as to location and time, e.g., evenings, Saturdays, Sundays, etc. For more information about ethical humanism, visit www.aeu.org.

Ethical Humanism (Ethical Culture) examines life through the lens of human experience and searches for meaning within human relationships. It is part of that great and living humanist tradition which affirms the primacy and beauty of this life and this world, and which cherishes reasoned inquiry, the scientific method, and the creative vision of the humanities.

Understanding Ethical Humanism as a Religion

  • Deed Before Creed
  • Religion
  • Why the World Needs the Religion of Ethical Humanism
  • Human Experience
  • Naturalism
  • Nontheism
  • Pragmatism, Existentialism, and Process Thought
  • Humanism
  • Ethical Humanism
  • Intrinsic Worth
  • Act So As To Elicit the Best in Others and Thereby in Yourself
  • Love Life in All Its Particularity
  • Personal Living
  • Social Justice

    Ethical Humanism Religious Identity Statement for the 21st Century

    Creating Ethical Community: Faith in Human Worth

    Eight Commitments of Ethical Culture
         1. Ethics is central.
         2. Ethics begins with choice.
         3. We choose to treat each other as ends, not merely means.
         4. We seek to act with integrity.
         5. We are committed to educate ourselves.
         6. Self-reflection and our social nature require us to shape a more humane world.
         7. Democratic process is essential to our task.
         8. Life itself inspires religious response.

    The Humanist Way: An Introduction to Ethical Humanist Religion by Edward Ericson
  • The Greatest Idea in the World
  • The Birth of Ethical Culture
  • Ethical Idealists and Forerunners of Humanism
  • The Humanism of the Ethical Movement
  • Spiritual Values of Ethical Humanism
  • The Secret of Moral Creativity
  • Toward an Inclusive Humanist Way
  • Social Conscience and the Ideal of Ethical Democracy
  • The Humanist Way for Personal and Ethical Living

    * The study group leader will be Ron Solomon, who has over 40 years of experience in the Ethical Culture movement. He is currently on the Board of the American Ethical Union (the national organization for congregations affiliated with Ethical Culture/Ethical Humanism in the U.S.) and is a vice president of the International Humanist and Ethical Union. (Ron and his wife Carol recently moved to Madison to be near the family of their son Brian, who is on the Madison City Council.)