Secular Humanism

“Today, organized goodwill can make manifest the impossible.” — Justin S. Grant, MA, Business & Spirituality p. 82

In addition to the traditional saving work of organized religions, there are massive secular armies doing humanitarian work for global salvation.

For our discussion, any branch of inclusive, intelligent, and well-intentioned human activity is considered spiritual in nature. The spiritual aspect of life bestows lighted brilliancy that channels energetic wisdom, creativity, and insight. To this list can be added a deep sense of personal responsibility, directed to the good of the group and the whole of society. Religions preach ethics. Conscience means “with science.” Philosophical correspondence unites religion and science as a three-in-one truth stream.

“The consciousness of exalted Entities far surpasses limited religious concepts and separative human beliefs. Within the interpenetrating strata of sound, light, and subtle matter, Higher Beings respond to vibrations emanating from all spiritual aspiration, including the many forms of transformational thinking, secular goodwill, and non-denominational humanism. Right action, right devotion, and right invocation – with or without religious affiliation – are timeless ways to harmonize ‘all little human wills’ with the Universal Will. This is the essence of yoga/union/enlightenment/atonement.” — Business & Spirituality pp. 76, 14, 347

Secular humanism deserves an honored seat at the interfaith table — because the love of truth is itself a devotion. “I am not an Athenian, nor a Greek, but a citizen of the world,” said Socrates, and that creed of universal citizenship is one the mystics of every faith would sign.

Business & Spirituality observes that the Abrahamic traditions teach that people do wrong because they are sinful, while the Himalayan traditions teach that people do wrong because they are ignorant — and that “the merging of global cultures and the synthesis of spiritual teachings are fast fusing the best and discarding the rest.” (p. 82) The humanist’s tools — evidence, education, and compassion without borders — belong to that synthesis.

Honesty, though, cuts both ways:

“Our approach to truth must include both open-mindedness and humility. The arrogance of some contemporary rationalists corresponds to the arrogance of entrenched religionists.” — Justin S. Grant, MA, Business & Spirituality p. 92

And on the question that most divides believer from skeptic, the book offers a leveling wisdom: “The actions of pantheists, monotheists, and atheists do not necessarily differ — the Lord of Justice weighs inner intentions and outer behaviors rather than arbitrary beliefs.” (p. 145) By whatever name — conscience, ethics, the Good — a life of integrity and service is a spiritual life.

So to our humanist friends: no conversion is sought here. Bring your questions at full strength. Rigorous doubt and reverent wonder are not enemies — they are the two hands with which humanity holds the truth.