Discussion Group Report

Roy Speckhart, director of membership programs of the American Humanist Association, says a case can be made that Humanists can't be political conservatives. He points out that less than 3% of AHA members consider themselves conservative and less than 1% define themselves as libertarian.

The political positions held by the progressive majority come directly from core humanist principles. Political conservatives aren't merely people who subscribe to one or two conservative positions; they are those who follow conservatism as a general rule. Merriam Webster defines liberal as "favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded." The dictionary definition says conservatism "favors traditional views and values; tending to oppose change."

Speckhart puts forth the following as probably defining positions of conservatives:

1. Abortion is wrong and should be outlawed in almost all circumstances in order to protect the sanctity of life.
2. The United States has been a godly nation since its founding and the government should actively make sure it stays that way.
3. Homosexuality is unnatural, so there's no reason to grant gays and lesbians the same rights and benefits as heterosexuals.
4. What is good for business is also necessarily good for the United States and its people.
5. Men and women, like other definable groups, have dissimilar aptitudes, which is probably why males are so successful in this society.
6. Retribution is an acceptable motive for punishment of crime and for becoming involved in global conflict.

While the AHA has issued dozens of position statements that strongly oppose the outlined conservative viewpoints, no solitary position truly bars one from being a humanist. But, Speckhart suggests, "…someone who agrees with all the base conservative statements might do well to consider a different philosophical home--because humanism simply isn't compatible with such a set of positions. Conservative viewpoints go counter to the principles outlined in Humanist Manifesto III, a document signed in 2003 by leaders of every humanist organization in the United States and most worldwide. This is because humanists base their ideas and actions on the scientific method, compassion, and equality, not dogma and outdated convention."

Three core principles underlie humanism's progressive outlook: the scientific method, compassion, and egalitarianism.

Our unflagging dedication to the scientific method is relied upon because experience has proven it is reliable. Because of this approach, humanists tend to reject failed doctrines, simplistic or uselessly abstract concepts of right and wrong and stereotyped or conspiratorial notions of good and evil.

"Humanists," contends Speckhart, "are often skeptical of unproven claims--frequently exposing falsehoods from get-rich-quick schemes to medical quackery." They "are also generally skeptical of large concentrations of power, be they religious, governmental, or economic." They are among the first to raise concerns about government's suspension of liberties, government secrecy, private profiteering, and similar encroachments. Their willingness to question a wide range of authorities is contrary to those forms of conservatism which side with corporatism.

The second core principle is compassion because benefiting society maximizes individual happiness and raises the potential of humanity. Indeed, for humanists the primary purpose of the scientific method is to pursue compassionate goals, improving the world through their quest for knowledge and using that knowledge to benefit society and the environment. They are almost alone in contemporary society in recognizing that only reason, observation, and experience provide truly reliable tools for realizing compassionate ends. It is completely contrary to the principles of humanism to reject altruism as a legitimate moral force and instead, after the fashion of objectivists and libertarians, embrace a monolithic rational selfishness. Humanists are driven to embrace social policies that are inclusive, spread the benefits of wealth, diffuse social and political empowerment, and promote reasonable levels of self-determination. This is the source of the humanist embrace of democracy and individual, social, and human rights.

The third principle is the conviction that humans are basically equal and that each person should be treated as having inherent worth. Acceptance of group inequality is insupportable through humanist reasoning. Humanists recognize the ethical responsibility of individuals and society to treat each other equally with respect to social, political and economic rights and privileges. This orientation discounts many arguments against gay marriage. The commitment to compassion dictates that discrimination against same-sex commitments isn't only an unsupported position but is morally wrong. Another example is the humanist view of the role of women in society. Despite the refusal of conservatives to give up the idea that a woman's place is in the home, science has failed to demonstrate any significant differences in the intellectual aptitudes of men and women.

"It is obvious," argues Speckhart, "that the core principles of humanism support liberal ideals. So it isn't surprising that over 90% of humanists support reproductive rights, assisted suicide, and uncensored freedom of speech--an extraordinary level of agreement." "Nonetheless, humanists must continue to welcome diverse views. Not only is this liberal open-mindedness characteristic of humanism, it is necessary for any group that so relies on disagreement and discourse to further its philosophy." And there is plenty of room for disagreement on methods for achieving progressive goals.

In the last two years, much more frequently than in years past, the AHA has spoken publicly on social justice issues--and has watched membership numbers rise to a new historic high while reporters and opinion leaders begin to take notice. "If humanists refuse to address difficult subjects," Speckhart concludes, "the resulting blandness will diminish the movement's potential--both in terms of numbers and effectiveness."