Hard Questions for Humanists

March 2003

  • How much do you identify yourself as a humanist? Is it a belief system, a philosophy, or a religion?
  • What is and/or should be the relationship among humanist groups such as the AHA and the Council of Secular Humanism?
  • What should be the relationship between humanism and atheism? Between humanism and Unitarianism? Between the Humanists of Utah and local religious and philosophical groups?
  • What does it mean to be a practicing humanist?
  • What do you think of the Humanist "Manifestos?"
  • Does humanism have any political objectives? If so, what are they?
  • Are there humanist positions on any of the following: a) Euthanasia; b) Therapeutic Cloning; c) Reproductive Cloning; d) Genetic Modification of Humans; e) Late-term Abortion?
  • Are there aspects of humanist history that trouble you?
  • Do you feel humanism has evolved? What do you think its future direction might be?
  • Should humanists seek to grow their numbers?
  • What are the greatest challenges that you see humanists facing?

Please send your answers to these questions-and/or additional questions you recommend-to Richard Garrard, Utah Humanist editor or by postal mail to: Editor, Utah Humanist, P.O. Box 900212, Sandy, Utah 84090-0212.