10/08/2025
One of the things we try to do is find different ways of helping people 'get' what humanism means.
Sometimes you’ll see us post a graphic with a definition of humanism. It might be humanism in six words. Or it might be a longer description that tries to anticipate a few of the “What about…” questions in the comments.
When we pitch them very simply, we may get complaints that we’ve oversimplified.
When we’re precise and thorough, we may get complaints that it’s too philosophical, wordy, or high-brow.
With this one, we’re trying to talk about humanists and the sort of world humanists stand for. What does that mean?
It means humanists believe that belonging to the human family matters more than belonging to one tribe or nation. That’s universalism.
It means we want everyone to be free to think, speak, and live as themselves without being forced into conformity. That’s freedom.
It means recognising that life isn’t just about what we can get, but also about what we can give. That’s generosity.
It means valuing the richness of different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, rather than insisting on uniformity or control. That’s diversity.
It means a society where everyone is recognised as fundamentally equal in rights and dignity, not one organised into groups of superiors and inferiors. That’s equality.
It means being able to feel with others rather than looking down on them, or assuming that other people’s problems are never any of our business. That’s empathy.
It means being willing to question, to doubt, and to keep learning rather than clinging to certainties—even when a false certainty would be comforting. That’s rational doubt.
And it means being brave enough to choose hope and action, even when fear seems easier. That’s courage.
All of it rests on a commitment to truth, love, and kindness above everything else.
