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<DIV><B><FONT face=Arial-BoldMT size=3>
<P align=left>THE AFFIRMATION OF HUMANISM:</P></B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT
size=3>
<P align=left>A Statement of Principles</P>
<P align=left>Paul Kurtz</P></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial-BoldMT size=2>
<P align=left>We are committed </B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT size=2>to the
application of reason and science to the understanding of the universe and to
the</P>
<P align=left>solving of human problems.</P></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial-BoldMT
size=2>
<P align=left>We deplore </B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT size=2>efforts to
denigrate human intelligence, to seek to explain the world in supernatural
terms, and to</P>
<P align=left>look outside nature for salvation.</P></FONT><B><FONT
face=Arial-BoldMT size=2>
<P align=left>We believe </B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT size=2>that scientific
discovery and technology can attribute to the betterment of human
life.</P></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial-BoldMT size=2>
<P align=left>We believe </B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT size=2>in an open and
pluralistic society and that democracy is the best guarantee of protecting
human</P>
<P align=left>rights from authoritarian elites and repressive
majorities.</P></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial-BoldMT size=2>
<P align=left>We are committed </B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT size=2>to the
principle of the separation of church and state.</P></FONT><B><FONT
face=Arial-BoldMT size=2>
<P align=left>We cultivate </B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT size=2>the arts of
negotiation and compromise as a means of resolving differences and achieve
mutual</P>
<P align=left>understanding.</P></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial-BoldMT size=2>
<P align=left>We are concerned </B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT size=2>with
securing justice and fairness in society and with eliminating discrimination
and</P>
<P align=left>intolerance.</P></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial-BoldMT size=2>
<P align=left>We believe </B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT size=2>in supporting the
disadvantaged and the handicapped so that they will be able to help
themselves.</P></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial-BoldMT size=2>
<P align=left>We attempt </B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT size=2>to transcend
divisive parochial loyalties based on race, religion, gender, nationality,
creed, class,</P>
<P align=left>sexual orientation , or ethnicity, and strive to work together for
the common good of humanity.</P></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial-BoldMT size=2>
<P align=left>We want to protect </B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT size=2>and
enhance the earth to preserve it for future generations, and to avoid inflicting
needless</P>
<P align=left>suffering on other species.</P></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial-BoldMT
size=2>
<P align=left>We believe </B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT size=2>in enjoying life
here and now and in developing our creative talents to their
fullest.</P></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial-BoldMT size=2>
<P align=left>We believe </B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT size=2>in the cultivation
of moral excellence.</P></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial-BoldMT size=2>
<P align=left>We respect </B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT size=2>the right to
privacy. Mature adults should be allowed to fulfill their aspiration, to express
their sexual</P>
<P align=left>preferences, to exercise reproductive freedom, to have access to
comprehensive and informed health-care,</P>
<P align=left>and to die with dignity.</P></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial-BoldMT
size=2>
<P align=left>We believe </B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT size=2>in the common
moral decencies: altruism, integrity, honesty, truthfulness, responsibility.
Humanist</P>
<P align=left>ethics is amenable to critical, rational guidance. There are
normative standards that we discover together.</P>
<P align=left>Moral principals are tested by their
consequences.</P></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial-BoldMT size=2>
<P align=left>We are deeply concerned </B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT size=2>with
the moral education of our children. We want to nourish reason and
compassion.</P></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial-BoldMT size=2>
<P align=left>We are engaged </B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT size=2>by the arts no
less than by sciences.</P></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial-BoldMT size=2>
<P align=left>We are citizens </B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT size=2>of the
universe and are excited by discoveries still to be made in the
cosmos.</P></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial-BoldMT size=2>
<P align=left>We are skeptical </B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT size=2>of untested
claims to knowledge, and are open to novel ideas and seek new departures in
our</P>
<P align=left>thinking.</P></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial-BoldMT size=2>
<P align=left>We affirm humanism </B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT size=2>as a
realistic alternative to theologies of despair and ideologies of violence and a
source</P>
<P align=left>of rich personal significance and genuine satisfaction in the
service to others.</P></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial-BoldMT size=2>
<P align=left>We believe </B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT size=2>in optimism rather
than pessimism, hope rather than despair, learning in the place of dogma,
truth</P>
<P align=left>instead of ignorance, joy rather than guilt or sin, tolerance in
the place of fear, love instead of hatred,</P>
<P align=left>compassion over selfishness, beauty instead of ugliness, and
reason rather than blind faith or irrationality.</P></FONT><B><FONT
face=Arial-BoldMT size=2>
<P align=left>We believe </B></FONT><FONT face=ArialMT size=2>in the fullest
realization of the best and noblest that we are capable of as human
beings.</P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>