Creating change through humanism
By: Roy Speckhardt
Publisher: Humanist Press
Published: 2015
Place of publication: Washington, D.C
Language: eng
Number of pages: 185
ISBN-13: 9780931779657; 9780931779664
Copyright date: 2015
Subjects: Secular humanism; Philosophy
Description: "Humanism is "the radical idea that you can be good without a god." That's how Roy Speckhardt, the longtime executive director of the American Humanist Association, defines it. His new book, Creating Change Through Humanism, lays out how and why people can lead moral and ethical lives without belief in a higher power. While surveys show that more and more Americans are giving up on religion, merely abandoning traditional religious faith is just one step on a path to a better way of thinking. Speckhardt explains how to take the next steps with the empathy and activism that characterize humanism today.   Humanism has inspired generations of individuals to improve themselves, their communities and their country. Creating Change Through Humanism describes how a humanist lifestance has influenced and can continue to advance acceptance, diversity and equality. Humanist ideals pervaded the U.S. from its founding, starting with the innovative idea of separating church and state to maintain a religiously-neutral government. Humanism has continued to propel our nation toward social progress by promoting basic human rights and dignity. The humanist movement, with its forward-thinking outlook and emphasis on critical thinking and self-reflection, has been at the forefront of such pressing social issues as civil rights, women's rights, LGBTQ equality, responsible scientific freedom, and the environment and population dynamics.   Speckhardt interweaves personal stories, including his own, of individuals who have journeyed from organized religion to humanistic convictions. He encourages his readers to be open about their own lack of belief and to become active in social and political causes, so they can put their positive values into action and combat the anti-humanist prejudice propagated by the religious right"-- Provided by publisher.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 175-181).
Table of contents: title: Foundations; title: Is humanism right for me?; title: Identifying and coming out; title: An argument for humanism; title: Planting the seeds; title: Prejudice humanists face; title: Past and present aspirations for a better future; title: Applications; title: Political consequences humanists face; title: Core humanist issues; title: Living humanism; title: Becoming an activist; title: Conclusions aren't enough.