Progressing humanism.

On April 23, 2003, in a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, the American Humanist Association released Humanism and Its Aspirations to the media. The next day the Religion News Service wire sent out multiple articles about the document, and the May/June 2003 issue of the Humanist, containing the full text, was issued. Additional media coverage appeared in sources as diverse as the Chicago Tribune, the Kansas City Star, and the Baptist Standard. To date, twenty Nobel laureates have become signatories--more than have signed any previous Humanist statement.

What follows is the text of the press conference remarks by Maddy Urken, a list of early signers whose endorsements didn't arrive in time for last issue's press deadline, and a collection of brief commentaries by a number of signers and nonsigners.

The subtitle of Humanism and Its Aspirations is Humanist Manifesto III, which may lead some to wonder why Humanists update their primary document every few decades. This happens, of course, because change is at the heart of any philosophy or lifestance that is open to new knowledge. Humanism is like science in this respect. Despite centuries of updating, science is still with us and many of its earliest ideas and conclusions are still accepted. Similarly, Humanism's methods and premises remain essentially unchanged, and many of our current conclusions will remain intact well into the future.

If this seems an unsteady basis for an enduring philosophy, consider the alternative. Clearly, it is unacceptable to adhere to a way of life that would promise to remain unchanged in the light of new evidence no matter how clear and obvious that evidence became. Some traditional lifestances lag centuries behind the leading edge of human knowledge. These approaches, in sum or in part, inevitably become irrelevant as times change. How can we feel secure living by ideas so rigid that nothing--no matter how compelling--can change them?

Humanists are people comfortable with change and eager to learn from it. And many changes have occurred in the thirty years since Humanist Manifesto Il. These changes were taken into account in the decision to draft and release a third statement. It's time to introduce a new generation to our ideals, and that requires a new document in harmony with the times and written in the language of today.

Throughout Humanism and Its Aspirations, there appear points that can serve as foundations for dealing with some of today's problems. Consider human rights. Our new document reads: "We work to uphold the equal enjoyment of human rights and civil liberties in an open, secular society." At the beginning of this new century, our government wasn't legally able to jail U.S. citizens indefinitely and without declared reason, denying them access to legal counsel. Considerations of "probable cause," the "right to an attorney," and "due process" were firmly in place to protect the people. But with steady demands for conformity and appeals to the supernatural, our current national leaders have created a situation in which many violations of civil liberties are possible. In fact, if you are brave enough to speak out against governmental policies, you might be accused of acting against our national interests or even aiding terrorism.

As our new document states: "The responsibility for our lives and the kind of world in which we live is ours and ours alone." It is time to put human rights and civil liberties, including the separation of church and state, back on the front burner. And it is we who must do it. It is we who must take responsibility and then take action.

We are well aware that not everyone agrees with us. Some people support increased government surveillance and a reduction in civil liberties. They are willing to trade the freedom they say we should fight for for an illusion of security. Others view the United States as a Christian nation. And still others place religious doctrine above personal responsibility. We don't believe that our new document will change their minds.

Indeed, as Humanists we make no concerted effort at conversion. We have our hands full just working to reach the millions of people in the United States who already think like us. Although there are tens of thousands of people who have already become part of the organized American Humanist movement, many don't know there's a name for the ideals they hold. People who are new to Humanism often tell us that they never knew that others shared their ideas. They tell us, "I didn't know I've been a Humanist all my life!"

We in the AHA are about to engage in a vigorous effort to reach those who already support Humanism's goals but who haven't had the opportunity to join with their fellow Humanists and enjoy the benefits of unity. Vie are reaching out to rational, skeptical, socially conscious individuals to sign this landmark document. We want to enlist thousands of signers of Humanism and its Aspirations to join us as we work to build a society and an environment that will carry us through this new century and beyond. At the same time, we will try to reach out to those who think differently to raise their level of awareness of what our aspirations really are and to erase misconceptions about the implications of our ideas. We seek to live in harmony with those who disagree with us--accepting them as fellow citizens and being accepted by them in return.

Unfortunately, this has often been difficult for people who are identified as embracing anything other than traditional faith. The current administration has created a climate that further excludes minority religions, philosophies, and lifestances by consistently imposing its own.

We hope Humanism and its Aspirations will be a tool to aid Humanists who want to convey Humanism's positive message and counter prevailing misunderstandings. This new document can also demonstrate the fact that many Humanist principles are compatible with some of those of traditional religion. There is much the non-Humanist will find to agree with in it, especially for those people of faith who prefer to rely first on their own capabilities.

Humanism and its Aspirations recognizes that human problems are connected and are the result of larger social forces. In our increasingly connected world, no one is untouched by the problems of others--no matter how far away they think they live. Humanism and Its Aspirations expresses a sense of common responsibility. A wider, more informed recognition of humanity's collective needs can be useful in counteracting the negativity of narrow thinking or special interests.

We hope that, as in the past, the ideas of Humanism will continue to exert a positive influence on the larger society.

Maddy Urken, an expert in information management, served as a member of the Humanist Manifesto III draping committee and is a member of the board of directors of the American Humanist Association.