About Great Southern Humanist Society

Welcome!

The Great Southern Humanist Society is a vibrant and growing community of humanists located in the southeast region of the United States of America.

We share the view that Humanism is a democratic and ethical philosophy which affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives. We believe that virtues like morality, kindness, justice and generosity are derived from natural human values and reason which have been tested by the commonality of our practical experience and critical analysis of the natural world we live in.

We take the positive position that Humanism by definition is naturalistic, scientific, and secular.

Furthermore, we recognize that Humanism is a broad field of thought and action bordered on one side by the transcendental and oppressive views of traditional fundamentalist religions and on the other by an equally oppressive anti-theism both of which reflect absolute claims with a totalitarian emphasis.

Humanism includes those who are agnostic about claims of ultimate realities, supernaturalism and absolute truths and who adhere to an enlivened ethic that informs our lives and guides our relationships with all living things. It also includes those who have examined religious claims and found no evidence to support a belief in them.

Humanism certainly recognizes that life is more than mere cognitive responses to stimuli and appreciates the full range of human emotion, from the varied reactions to life's tragedies to the wonder and awe at our natural self and surroundings.

While we accept that science has led us to comprehend emotions as natural phenomena this understanding certainly doesn't lessen the actual wondrous experience of them.

A basic premise to Humanism is that conclusions about many things in this world have to change as knowledge grows. It is necessary to remain open-minded, to avoid jumping to conclusions and often to simply suspend judgment.

Because we commonly use the scientific method we recognize that even our most central beliefs may have to change in the light of further evidence. Even more importantly, when we form a conclusion it is important that we do not force it upon other people.

As Humanists, we are socially responsible, culturally tolerant, personally ethical, informed by science, inspired by art and moved to compassion for others.

Please feel free to contact us through the resource of The Great Southern Humanist Society Meetup website, via email or in person as we commit ourselves to public community projects, social activism, charity and volunteerism!



"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."

Please come back often and share your experiences with us!

HumanistFamilies@hotmail.com

UPDATE 05/10/07

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We hope everyone understands the underlying meaning and motive of the following additions to our site and finds them purposeful:

We have some new rules for our members to be aware of.

These guidelines are to provide a safe and comfortable environment to all of our members.

Please take a moment and look them over.

1.) Be respectful of others.
2.) Be courteous on the message board.
3.) Keep advertising where it belongs.
4.) Be responsible for yourselves and your children at events
5.) Have good attendance and participation
6.) Be kind, be active and please RSVP

Once a member is considered as having not participated or even accessed the site and/or becomes noted as an "inactive member", that member will be sent an email checking on their interest and may be removed from the roster based on whether or not there is a response or at their request.

Thanks for your patience and understanding and we hope to see you all at an event very soon!

GSHS