What defines secular humanism?

[BlueKumul]

I’ve tried to understand it for years, but it’s always described in a vague language. Things like “we believe in happiness and reason”. Well, who doesn’t? Of course Christianity is the best ally happiness and reason ever had, so they should be Christians as well.

So, what exactly defines secular humanism and sets it apart from other varieties of atheism?

 

[aroosi]

From what I see from people I met, it is basically trying to do a lot of good deeds but with no faith in God. For example they are active in social justice but because it is the right thing to do, not because they see Christ in the poor.

 

[BlueKumul]

Atheists who stick to Christian morality? A step up from Nietzsche’s nihilism or Rand’s egoism.

 

[commenter]

The best summary I have seen is “What is Secular Humanism?”, by James Hitchcock, about 1980.

Subtitle “Why humanism became secular, and how it is changing our world”, IIRC.

He puts it into historical perspective, shows connection to politics, psychology, religion.

Humanism is changing, even since 1980. The main US Humanist organization moved to Washington DC. The founders, who were heavily interested in preserving free speech and individual rights, were replaced by a very different group.