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Sunny Jackson

Humanism - 0 views

www.religioustolerance.org/humanism.htm

Humanism

shared by Sunny Jackson on 22 May 13 - Cached
  • they do not believe in the existence of a deity, or have no opinion, or don't care
  • codes of behavior and morality can be created through reason
  • concerned about human rights and equal opportunities for all
Sunny Jackson

Introduction to Humanism - 0 views

www.religioustolerance.org/humanism1.htm

Humanism

shared by Sunny Jackson on 22 May 13 - No Cached
  • knowledge can be obtained through rational thought and experimentation
  • developed into the scientific method and is the major underpinning of all sciences today
  • a philosophy centered upon the needs and interests of people
  • ...57 more annotations...
  • truth could be discovered by human effort
  • rationalism
  • free thought
  • rational philosophy
  • Many regard Socrates as the first and greatest of the Humanists
  • value knowledge based on reason and hard evidence rather than on faith
  • the preciousness and dignity of the individual person is a central humanist value
  • universe that obeys natural laws
  • rejection of divinely inspired ethical and moral codes in favor of codes derived by reason from the human condition
  • full responsibility for the future of the world, its political systems, its ecology, etc. rests with humans. There is no God in heaven to intervene and save us
  • religious groups' "promises of immortal salvation or fear of eternal damnation are both illusory and harmful."
  • reject both theocracy and secular dictatorships as political systems that are dangerous to individual freedoms
  • accept democracy
  • value freedom of inquiry, expression and action
  • combating bigotry, hatred, discrimination, intolerance and censorship
  • supporters of the principle of separation of church and state
  • moral values derive their source from human experience
  • regard life here on earth to be particularly precious
  • creator of Third Force Psychology
  • human rights
  • it represents a consensus of what Humanists do believe
  • Knowledge of the world is derived by observation, experimentation, and rational analysis
  • Humans are an integral part of nature, the result of unguided evolutionary change
  • Ethical values are derived from human need and interest as tested by experience
  • Life’s fulfillment emerges from individual participation in the service of humane ideals
  • Humans are social by nature and find meaning in relationships
  • Working to benefit society maximizes individual happiness
  • Isaac Asimov
  • scientist and author
  • literary freedom activist
  • Margaret Atwood
  • Brock Chisholm
  • conceiver of the Theory of Relativity
  • Albert Einstein
  • Betty Friedan
  • feminist activist
  • R. Buckminster Fuller
  • futurist and inventor
  • United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organization
  • Julian Huxley
  • Richard Leakey
  • Abraham Maslow
  • highly motivated to alleviating pain and misery around the world
  • John Boyd Orr
  • human rights activist
  • A. Philip Randolf
  • creator of Client Centered Therapy
  • Carl Rogers
  • Bertrand Russell
  • developer of the polio vaccine
  • Jonas Salk
  • Margaret Sanger
  • Andrei Sakharov
  • Gloria Steinem
  • American Humanist Association
  • Humanism and its aspirations
  • Humanism and Its Aspirations
Sunny Jackson

The theory of evolution What scientists believe it is and isn`t - 0 views

www.religioustolerance.org/ev_state.htm

shared by Sunny Jackson on 22 May 13 - No Cached
  • Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution
  • an unpredictable and natural process
  • genetic modification that is affected by natural selection, chance, historical contingencies and changing environments
  • ...31 more annotations...
  • caused by variations which exist within a species due to differences in the genetic makeup of its individual members
  • This causes some individuals to be more likely to thrive in a given environment, and to produce offspring similar to themselves
  • new species typically develop very quickly within a small, peripheral group which is isolated from the main "tribe" and subjected to different environmental stressors
  • long periods of relative stability of a given species. These periods were broken by short periods of rapid change.
  • the origin of the first life form, of the origin of the earth, and the origin of the universe itself do not form part of the theory of evolution. Such studies are pursued within different scientific disciplines.
  • The origin of the universe and and its changes over time are called cosmology.
  • Research into the origin of the first form of life is called abiogenesis, and is not part of evolution.
  • Evolution really only deals with species of living -- or once living -- biological species
  • animals which are better able to reach maturity and propagate
  • The term "theory" has multiple meanings.
  • an: ..."extensive explanation developed from well-documented, reproducible sets of experimentally-derived data from repeated observations of natural processes."
  • The word has a very different meaning in science.
  • To avoid confusion, authors need to differentiate between these two definitions. Unfortunately, some authors prefer to cause confusion
  • Charles Darwin, the person who founded the theory of evolution in the mid 19th century, believed that humans are not the descendents of apes. Rather, apes and humans had a common ancestor.
  • he believed that any two species -- e.g. humans and apes, have common ancestor
  • Darwinism is not the theory of evolution
  • In reality, the discovery of genes and DNA as well as over a century of work by biologists, palentologists, and others have extensively modified his original teachings.
  • The diversity of life on earth is the outcome of evolution
  • Evolution of species has no specific goal
  • not part of a grand plan to produce some ultimate species
  • Evolution is largely guided by environmental factors
  • the processes of science are characterized by asking questions, proposing hypotheses, and designing empirical models and conceptual frameworks for research
  • The scientific method is self-correcting
  • Scientists' understanding of evolution and its processes change as new evidence become available
  • Essentially every modern biologist accepts that evolution happened; the fact of evolution is not widely debated
  • scientists do debate the "patterns, mechanisms and pace" of the evolutionary processes
  • new concepts for useful research
  • Since the existence of gods, goddesses and pantheons of deities can neither be proven nor disproved, and cannot be detected or measured, the scientific method has nothing to say on their existence
  • Supporters of creation science tend to start with a fixed belief system derived from a religious text, and attempt to support that belief by searching for compatible evidence.
  • Non-scientific beliefs should not be taught in the science classroom
  • some educators believe that they should be taught in comparative religion classes
Sunny Jackson

HUMANISM: Public school teaching, ethics, is it a religion? - 0 views

www.religioustolerance.org/humanism2.htm

Humanism

shared by Sunny Jackson on 22 May 13 - Cached
  • A non-religious approach to human sexuality would make use of the latest findings about sexual orientation; they would teach that bisexuality, heterosexuality and homosexuality are natural and human sexual variations.
  • non-religious approach to human sexuality would make use of the latest findings about sexual orientation; they would teach that bisexuality, heterosexuality and homosexuality are natural and human sexual variations
  • Public Schools are required to base their curriculum on secularism because of the principle of separation of church and state which the U.S. Supreme Court has said is implicit in the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
  • ...16 more annotations...
  • Humanists have successfully developed moral and ethical systems which are independent of divine revelation
  • foundational beliefs
  • Systems of morality and ethics can be developed through mutual agreement much like we develop laws and social customs
  • based upon common needs that humans have for survival, security, personal growth and love
  • Humans are social animals who can make the greatest achievements through mutual cooperation
  • reasonable
  • effective
  • lead to self esteem
  • consistent with one's natural feelings of caring, compassion and sympathy
  • do not lead to condemnation or rejection
  • accepted
  • Humanists do not generally believe in a supreme deity or deities, demons, ghosts, angels, or in a supernatural world, or in heaven and hell, or in a divinely ordained ethical code for humans to follow. Most would regard the Gods and Goddesses as a creation of mankind
  • Religious Humanism has been loosely defined as religion without deity worship and traditional theological beliefs
  • a belief in the scientific method as the best way to determine truth
  • philosophical and educational in nature
  • The ARIS study of 2001 showed that 76.5% of American adults consider themselves to be Christian. The Canadian Census of the same year showed that 76.6% of Canadian adults consider themselves to be Christian.
Sunny Jackson

Six belief systems regarding homosexuality and bisexuality - 0 views

www.religioustolerance.org/hom6beli.htm

shared by Sunny Jackson on 22 May 13 - Cached
  • "You see me as a little less human, and for me to realize it, breaks my heart."
  • The most conservative view believes that gays and lesbians are incapable of love; they are driven only by lust
  • Religious conservatives, whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or of another religion, often define homosexuality in terms of behavior
  • ...16 more annotations...
  • often described as "having left the homosexual lifestyle" or as being "ex-gays."
  • self-identification
  • A homosexual is a person who is sexually attracted only to members of the same sex.
  • A bisexual is attracted to both women and men, although not necessarily to the same degree.
  • A heterosexual is a person who is attracted only to persons of the opposite sex.
  • Bisexuals can choose to confine their activity to one sex or the other; however they still remain bisexual.
  • Homosexuals can choose to remain celibate; however they still remain homosexual.
  • Adult sexual orientation is generally regarded as fixed; it cannot be changed through therapy or prayer
  • destructive
  • addiction
  • chosen
  • lifestyle
  • one of three unchosen, fixed, and morally neutral sexual orientations which is normal and natural for a minority of adults
  • contrasting belief systems
  • Many tenaciously hold beliefs that are contrary to observable facts
  • real progress could be made if the various sides looked upon each other as individuals
Sunny Jackson

Popular beliefs about homosexuality - 0 views

www.religioustolerance.org/hom_beli.htm

shared by Sunny Jackson on 22 May 13 - No Cached
  • They teach that lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender persons and transsexuals (LGBT) represent a threat to religious freedom. -- not a threat to the freedom of of the church and its members to believe as they wish, but as a threat to the freedom of the church to openly discriminate against LGBTs
  • a homosexual or bisexual orientation is generally both unchosen and unchangeable
  • generally do not recommend reparative therapy because of its very low success rate
  • ...17 more annotations...
  • expect LGBTs to remain celibate for life
  • dangers
  • equal rights and protections for persons of all sexual orientations, including the right to marry
  • the extension of federal and state hate-crime laws to include violent crimes motivated by hatred of the victim's sexual orientation
  • regard homophobia -- any denial of human rights based on sexual orientation -- to be as profoundly immoral as is sexism and racism
  • benefits of marriage
  • A significant majority of Canadian adults support same-sex marriage, which was legalized in all ten provinces and three territories in mid-2005
  • persons of all sexual orientations protected from abuse, firing, discrimination in accommodation, violence in hate crimes, exclusion from the military, etc.
  • People love to portray situations in terms of two options
  • life is not that simple
  • Homosexuality, is morally neutral
  • Persons of all sexual orientations deserve equal rights
  • Homophobia is the main evil
  • Full acceptance and valuing of persons of all sexual orientations
  • a normal and natural sexual minority
  • supportive
  • a fundamental human right
Sunny Jackson

What can we conclude from all of this religious information? - 0 views

www.religioustolerance.org/conclude.htm

shared by Sunny Jackson on 22 May 13 - No Cached
  • How does one digest all of the data
  • In our essays, we do not normally draw conclusions
  • Our policy has always been to provide our visitors with a balanced presentation of both or all sides to each issue
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • we explain what the most conservative and the most liberal theologians believe
  • most Christians' beliefs probably lie somewhere in the middle
  • We let our reader reach their own conclusions. 
  • On controversial social matters, we also explain all sides to an issue
  • dedicated seekers after truth
  • some of the conclusions below are influenced by our religious faiths; this essay is not as balanced and objective as the rest of this web site
Sunny Jackson

What can we conclude from all of this religious information? - 0 views

www.religioustolerance.org/conclude2.htm

shared by Sunny Jackson on 22 May 13 - No Cached
  • Our DNA, mixed with the DNA of another, lives on through any children that we have
  • The influence of our DNA continues to be diluted with each generation. But it is spread through an increasing number of our descendents.
  • Every action that we have taken throughout our life influences other people and the world in some way. Even after we are gone, our actions continue to change the universe. The ripples formed during our lifetime, for good or evil, continue to spread.
  • ...17 more annotations...
  • when people normally think about life after death, they think of some continued form of consciousness -- one in which at least our memories and personalities remain intact
  • The Celts and some other aboriginal societies taught that when we die, we are born into an alternative universe that is much like the earth. When someone dies in that other universe, a baby is born on earth. There is an elegant symmetry to this concept.
  • Eastern and some Neopagan religions teach some form of transmigration of the soul or of reincarnation, in which humans eventually pass through a whole succession of lifetimes.
  • nobody really knows what happens
  • It is up to the individual to give their own life meaning. 
  • When we treat others a sub-humans, dreadful things can and do happen
  • There are a lot of theories about life after death, but we are a little short on hard evidence. It seems as if nobody is really certain. We have two choices: To somehow learn to live with this uncertainty. To follow a religious belief, even though we have no proof.
  • One cannot simply decide to believe in something or someone as an act of will
  • There are many religions with multiple concepts of God
  • Going with the majority might avoid being the victim of religious prejudice
  • consider keeping a very low profile
  • if you choose the dominant religion of your family of origin, you might minimize conflict in your life
  • It is not necessary to fully adopt a single religion.
  • most religions can inspire their members to lead better lives
  • Most, perhaps all, have an evil, dark side
  • Many have discriminatory policies
  • if you adopt a specific religion, you might consider working from within to eliminate any bigoted policies that your chosen faith exhibits
Sunny Jackson

A brief overview of homosexuality and bisexuality - 0 views

www.religioustolerance.org/hom_intro.htm

shared by Sunny Jackson on 22 May 13 - No Cached
  • "Because families are defined by love not gender. Because hatred is not a family value. Because equal rights are not special rights."
  • "Homosexuality is assuredly no advantage, but it is nothing to be ashamed of, no vice, no degradation, it cannot be classified as an illness." Sigmund Freud (1935)
  • "The fact is that more people have been slaughtered in the name of religion than for any other single reason. That, THAT my friends, is true perversion."   Harvey Milk
  • ...13 more annotations...
  • "Whatever religious people may say about their love of God or the mandates of their religion, when their behavior toward others is violent and destructive, when it causes suffering among their neighbors, you can be sure the religion has been corrupted and reform is desperately needed." Charles Kimball
  • "When religion sanctifies hatred, it lends to that hatred a special ferocity. Normal moral inhibitors are erased." Johannes Cardinal Wildebrands
  • "You can safely assume that you've created God in your own image, when it  turns out that God hates all the same people you do." Anne Lamott
  • homosexuality is morally neutral, is determined by some combination of genetics and environmental factors before school age, is a sexual orientation, is defined by ones sexual attraction to persons of the same sex, and is very rarely if ever changeable during adulthood
  • "It always seemed to me a bit pointless to disapprove of homosexuality. It's like disapproving of rain."  Francis Maude
  • others consider homosexual orientation to be a morally neutral trait, like left handedness. It is normal, natural, and unchosen
  • the same equal rights and protections enjoyed by other groups
  • equal treatment and protections
  • Abigail Van Buren
  • Homosexuality is measurable and thus is a legitimate area for human sexuality researchers to study. They have generally concluded that adult human sexuality comes in three natural, normal, unchosen, and almost always unchangeable orientations: Heterosexuality: Most people are sexually attracted only to members of the opposite gender. Homosexuality: A small minority of adults are attracted only to members of the same gender. Bisexuality: A smaller minority are attracted to both men and women, but not necessarily to the same degree.
  • justice, love and acceptance
  • If the individual decided to restrict his/her sexual relationship(s) with persons of the opposite sex, they would be considered an ex-gay by most conservatives and a bisexual by most liberals.
  • It is action of oppression and discrimination which harm people.
Sunny Jackson

An intra-faith Christian translating dictionary: abortion terms - 0 views

www.religioustolerance.org/evan_dic2.htm

shared by Sunny Jackson on 22 May 13 - No Cached
  • the abortion rate could be cut to a fraction of its present value if the use of contraceptives, including EC, were encouraged
  • involves the use of a medication
  • "Medical" implies that a pharmaceutical is used
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • Individuals and groups in favor of abortion access and free choice
  • Pregnancy starts when the fertilized ovum is implanted in the womb
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