About The Sydney Humanists & Humanitarians

"Humanism is a broad category of ethical philosophies that affirm the dignity and worth of all people, based on the ability to determine right and wrong by appeal to universal human qualities"

If you are not familiar with Humanism you may find these videos a good introduction.

Take this short quizz to see whether your beliefs could already be considered 'Humanist'.

Opportunities for Exchange

At this stage there are three main modes of exchange for members:

1. Electronic communication
(a) 'Messages' - An active discussion board for all members (see left).
(b) Group emails to humanism-165@meetup.com. These emails are moderated so as to ensure zero spam to the group

2. Events and meetings (see past calendar)
(a) Catchups around existing events - as discovered by members and posted to our calender. The organisers will often make group bookings and try to create opportunities before or after the event.
(b) Member-initiated events - for longer discussions, socialising, semi-structured activities, etc. This is the richest mode of exchange however requires considerable effort to organise. Your assistance with these is greatly appreciated by all members.

Expectations

The group has some basic expectations of its members in order to ensure the group stays alive and evolving! Please read through the expectations the meetup has of its members! It is hoped that these expectations are in no ways restrictive or onerous. If any member feels that these expectations are in some way unreasonable or inappropriate please do offer the constructive feedback!

Affiliations

Formal registration with Humanist bodies such as the Council for Secular Humanism or the International Humanist and Ethical Union has not yet been established.

A informal relationship exists between The Sydney Progressive Humanist meetup group and the NSW Humanist Society with John August President of the NSW Humanist Society also being a member of this meetup group. Ansgar Fehnker, organiser of the Sydney Atheist Meetup group, is also a member of this meetup group.

This group is affiliated and inspired by the evolving concept of Amura and Abunda. There are also affiliations with the Australian Humanists facebook group.

Seven Humanistic Principles

The Humanistic perspective is a common sense one:

1. Need to test beliefs - A conviction that dogmas, ideologies and traditions, whether religious, political or social, must be weighed and tested by each individual and not simply accepted on faith.

2. Reason, evidence, scientific method - Commitment to the use of critical reason, factual evidence, and scientific methods of inquiry, rather than faith and mysticism, in seeking solutions to human problems and answers to important human questions.

3. Fulfillment, growth, creativity - A primary concern with fulfillment, growth, and creativity for both the individual and humankind in general.

4. Search for truth - A constant search for truth, with the understanding that new knowledge and experience constantly alter our imperfect perception of it.

5. This life - A concern for this life and a commitment to making it meaningful through better understanding of ourselves, our history, our intellectual and artistic achievements, and the outlooks of those who differ from us.

6. Ethics - A search for viable individual, social and political principles of ethical conduct. Discerning the best course of action in order to enhance human well-being and individual responsibility.

7. Building a better world - A conviction that with reason, an open exchange of ideas, good will, and tolerance, progress can occur.

Three Primary Qualities

There are three keywords for this Meetup group:

1. Eudaimonia - Create the conditions for wellbeing, contentment, and peace with application of mind and body science as well as secular spirtual practice.

2. Authenticity - Discover and develop personal character and virtue though courage, clear thinking and existential, dharmic, and integral ways of living.

3. Social liberalism - Build, secularise, modernise, and liberalise groups and institutions for profit, people and the environment. Open up the possiblility for a progressive future for all.

What we are not interested in

- exclusive membership with respect to age, gender, political affiliation or background
- arrogance, disrespect, thoughtless perversity
- satan worship (unless a silly joke), mystical spirit worship, trademarked American religions, etc.
- superstitions including fairies, angels, aliens, witches, holy relics, etc.
- identity merely through the negative (e.g. anti-christian, anti-religion, anti-government, etc.)
- promotion of an outlook which is merely skeptical and pessimistic
- 'talk-fests' and intellectualisation without social impact and practical outcomes