8.0423 On the meaning of HUMANIST (1/28)

Tue, 28 Mar 1995 03:40:49 EST

Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 8, No. 0423. Tuesday, 28 Mar 1995.

Date: Fri, 24 Mar 1995 22:24:40 GMT
From: Alexander Bisset <Alexander@bisset.demon.co.uk>
Subject: The label "Humanist"

I have already sent a message to the listserv to signoff this list, however I
thought I would take a moment to explain my reasons for joining & signing off
so soon.

I understand HUMANISM to be the view that morality is an attitude of mind and
stems from within the individual and not from man-made rules of some mystical
supreme being for whom we hold no belief.

Humanism is a philosophy. A way of viewing the world, seeing humans as being
responsible for their own destiny and rejecting the idea that a mystical
being that some choose to call god (note the lower case) in some fashion
controls our actions.

I subscribed to this list in the belief that I would find a home on the net
with fellow humans who believe that to be moral and a good citizen DOES NOT
require the belief in a supreme being. Instead I find a list that specialises
in, it would appear, the roots of words, their application, & the use of
computers in such. Indeed the talk.philosophy.humanism seems to fit my
definition of humanism.

Since this appears to be the purpose of this list perhaps you could explain
how the word humanist could have such wildly different uses. It would appear
that this would be an excellent place to ask such a question.

Alexander Bisset
... Don't worry, I'm fluent in weirdo...