ÿþ<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=unicode"> <meta name=ProgId content=Word.Document> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10"> <meta name=Originator content="Microsoft Word 10"> <link rel=File-List href="humanism_files/filelist.xml"> <title>Humanism: An Inspirational Worldview</title> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"/> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Author>damion reinhardt</o:Author> <o:LastAuthor>damion reinhardt</o:LastAuthor> <o:Revision>2</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>1</o:TotalTime> <o:Created>2001-09-20T17:48:00Z</o:Created> <o:LastSaved>2001-09-20T17:48:00Z</o:LastSaved> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>755</o:Words> <o:Characters>4304</o:Characters> <o:Company>SYNERGY</o:Company> <o:Lines>35</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>10</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>5049</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>10.2625</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:SpellingState>Clean</w:SpellingState> <w:GrammarState>Clean</w:GrammarState> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; 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An Inspirational Worldview</span></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>In high school I first began to think differently about life.&nbsp; I had been raised in a traditional religious setting, and started to question many aspects of reality.&nbsp; A few years later in my second year of college, I discovered that my outlook on life was called humanism.</span></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Humanism is a worldview that affirms that individuals have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives, and to develop their greatest potential.&nbsp; It bases morality on reason and compassion, and upon how our actions affect the quality of people's lives.&nbsp; It stands for valuing and enjoying life here and now, and for making this world the best of all possible places.&nbsp; Humanism is silent on the question, &quot;Is there a god?&quot; although most humanists tend to be atheist or agnostic.</span></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Throughout the world and the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>, many humanist organizations abound, and a majority of them focus on rationalism.&nbsp; They have used reason and science to critically examine the bible, to support the separation of church and state, to fight for human rights, and to debunk creationism.</span></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Nevertheless, during life's crucial moments, pure rationalism will not help us.</span></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Rationalism will not give us the strength to deal with divorce, betrayal, or the death of a loved one.</span></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Rationalism will not motivate us to carry on when everything seems hopeless and lost.</span></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Rationalism will not rid us of our guilt when we've been involved in some shameful mess.</span></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Rationalism will not break the monotony and loneliness that our daily lives can sometimes bring.</span></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Only one thing can deliver all of these to our lives plus a whole lot more.&nbsp; It is inspiration.</span></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>I have found humanism to be an absolutely amazing source of inspiration.&nbsp; Humanism has taught and will continue to teach me a variety of priceless lessons concerning how to live and who I am.</span></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>I have learned that, by nature, people are much stronger than they think, and possess many abilities beyond what they've ever imagined.&nbsp; It is up to each individual to recognize his/her potential within, and to utilize it to the fullest.&nbsp; This realization produces an overwhelming sense of freedom.&nbsp; Anything is possible with motivation.&nbsp; Without it, one can do nothing.&nbsp; Humanism leaves no room for excuses.&nbsp; Either he is stimulated to live up to his true potential at something, or he is not.</span></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>This involves a strong degree of faith in oneself.&nbsp; Faith can be defined as a synonym for hope and optimism.&nbsp; I have learned through experience that if I have this type of faith, it makes me happier and gives me the will to achieve what I desire.&nbsp; This faith is based on its usefulness to improving quality of life.&nbsp; It has benefited me psychologically without being irrational or harmful to others.&nbsp; Therefore I find it practical.</span></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Healthy interpersonal relationships provide another major source of humanistic inspiration.&nbsp; These give us a strong sense of belonging, identity, and love.&nbsp; They allow us to learn from one another, and are a great source for emotional support.</span></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Personal hobbies also supply significant humanistic satisfaction.&nbsp; Music, movies, fitness, socializing, reading, writing, and just getting out and enjoying nature can be wonderful stress relievers and add excitement and adventure to our lives.</span></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Next, one of the best ways to get an incredible sense of the human spirit is to make a contribution to this world.&nbsp; You see, 50 years after we die, no one will remember our large sums of monetary wealth.&nbsp; No one will recall our giant mansions, fancy cars, expensive jewelry, beautiful women, and not even our good looks.&nbsp; What everyone will remember forever is not what we receive, but what we give.&nbsp; What counts is the difference we make in people's lives.&nbsp; It is serving our communities; being strong leaders; putting out positive messages for others; making scientific discoveries; or just being good, loving friends, family members, or partners in relationships.&nbsp; It brings an awesome sense of gratification to know that our legacies will live on for years and years after we pass away.</span></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Finally, as strange as this may sound, the idea of no afterworld can also be inspiring.&nbsp; This allows us to value this life as much as possible, and to try to get the most out of it while we can.&nbsp; This offers the perfect justification for remaining active and not getting bored.&nbsp; We have no time for apathy.</span></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Most people today are not searching for a rational or logical worldview.&nbsp; They want a philosophy that speaks to them personally, and has the greatest positive influence on their well-being.&nbsp; It is wonderful to stress humanistic faith in ourselves and in each other.&nbsp; It is very rewarding to know that we can and must help ourselves.</span></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>All in all, humanism certainly can provide an effective source of encouragement for us to lead fuller lives, to deal with crucial times, and to continually improve ourselves.&nbsp; Humanism is an absolutely amazing source of inspiration, and if you find yourself in agreement with this philosophy, just <span class=GramE>remember</span> that you are not alone.</span></p> </div> </div> </body> </html>