Author: Laine Zvejniece
The Happy Human is the international symbol of Humanism.
Today's ever-changing world can be overwhelming and the density of different political opinions and religious beliefs is creating a confusing environment for young people who are still developing their minds and are unsure about their position in this world.
In a world where certain international moral values are ignored, climate change is caused by human activities, and wars are started, it can seem impossible to stay grounded, but the moral doctrine of humanists offers a way of living without ignoring and adding to these problems. The philosophy that experienced its rise during the Renaissance is now more important than ever.
Time and space are set in stone, but what we do with our future is up to us. The arrival of the future is considered inevitable, and so this raises some questions about the more and more popularized mindset of living only for today or also known as the YOLO mindset, without really considering the consequences of our actions regarding our planet, environment, flora and fauna, and other people in the future.
It is hard to live long- term in a short-term world, but our life doesn't last forever, so we need to be wise about how we spend our time here on this planet- earth, which we call our home, so that the next generations can live a quality life after us. While we should live for today, it is just as important to live for tomorrow.
Denying the divine
Humanism is a philosophy that stresses the importance of human factors rather than looking at religious, divine, or spiritual matters. Throughout history people have been taught that the mandated rules of religion should be the most important and highest standards for how we live our lives, but today more and more people are discovering that without religion we can still live a happy life. The natural world is wonderful enough, without having to imagine a supernatural or divine dimension to it.
Our natural human capacities for reason, kindness and love are all we need to live well and with meaning. There are non-religious people who believe that this life is the only life we have, that the universe is a natural phenomenon with no supernatural side, and that we can live ethical and fulfilling lives - using reason and humanity to guide us. These people look to scientific evidence and reason to understand the world. And they've placed human welfare and happiness - as well as the welfare and happiness of other sentient animals - at the heart of how they choose to live their lives. Today, people who hold these beliefs and values are called humanists.
Mother nature
On this planet every living organism plays its part in sustaining the environment, even a dead tree in a forest still has a purpose in sustaining the surrounding ecosystems, and we have to see ourselves as part of nature and live in harmony with it. We, humans, are part of nature, not separate from it. We're connected to every living thing on this planet.
The name ‘humanism’ could mislead someone to think it places humans first and above other living things - this is not a human-centered ideology. Humanism places human beings amongst other living things and creatures and treats them as equals because we all came from nature and when we die we go back to it.
We often hear doubts about what impact just one person can have on different aspects of the human life and the quality of life for themselves and others, but humanists believe in thinking for yourself and acting for others because we can make an impact on many aspects of our and others life and environment.
A positive outlook
Human beings often do things with purposes in mind, with aims and ends in view. But the sun, the moon, the stars - and the universe as a whole, with all the natural processes that occur in it - are not the sort of things that can have purposes, aims, and ends in mind. Realizing that there is no ‘why’, that there is no higher reason for our existence, liberates us to create meaning in our own lives.
We don't always control the circumstances to which people subject us, but we have the power to control our reactions and view of life despite unpleasant experiences. Humanism is rooted in the idea that people have an ethical responsibility to lead lives that are personally fulfilling while at the same time contributing to the greater good of all people. Humanism is a positive approach to life and drives for equality for everyone. Humanists place kindness to oneself and others, and mutual respect as one of the highest fundamentals for a peaceful society.
There are millions of individuals around the globe who share this way of living and of looking at the world - even if they haven't heard of the term ‘humanism’, and realized that it describes what they believe. Live the humanist lifestyle by thinking for yourself and acting for others!