What is Secular Humanism?

One definition of secular humanism is a philosophy that emphasizes human reason, ethics, and scientific inquiry while rejecting religious dogma and supernatural beliefs. It focuses on improving human welfare and promoting justice and fairness in society. My personal take on it has always been a non-religious view of life with an emphasis on making things better for the living instead of focusing on some sort of promised rewards in an imaginary afterlife if you adhere strongly enough to manmade rules. In other words, you get one shot at this. Make it count.

None of that may be what it means to you. According to the website for the American Humanist Association, which I just discovered even existed while researching this article, there are many definitions of humanism, disagreement among those who identify as humanists on the defintion and confusion caused by those trying to explain what humanism is. Wow. You can read more about that at their site here.

So to me, and the way I'll be approaching the evolution of Woke & Witchy, it's my own definition. It's doing good to improve the state of affairs for the living without interference of religious crap. It's a focus on doing all we can as humans to improve the here and now regardless so much of personal reward. Doing good for humanity should be its own reward, in my humble opinion.

I want nothing more to make some sort of positive impact on the world and leave a legacy of something better or at least no worse off than I found in the world for my being here. Not for any afterlife reward, but just because it feels like the right thing to do. Hey, isn't that kinda what WOKE is?

Anyway, this is obviously not an exhaustive, definitive article all about secular humanism, humanism in general or anything else. It's a jumping off point for you to explore what it means to you and even share if you'd like with the community here at Woke & Witchy.