Humanist Parents Seek Communion Outside Church

[thundley4]

What?  This almost sounds like how a cult might begin.

BOSTON -- They are not religious, so they don't go to church. But they are searching for values and rituals with which to raise their children, as well as a community of like-minded people to offer support.

Dozens of parents came together on a recent Saturday to participate in a seminar on humanist parenting and to meet others interested in organizing a kind of nonreligious congregation, complete with regular family activities and ceremonies for births and deaths.

"It's exciting to know that we could be meeting people who we might perhaps raise children with," said Tony Proctor, 39, who owns a wealth management company and attended the seminar at Harvard University with his wife, Andrea, 35, a stay-at-home mother.

Humanism is both a formal movement and an informal identification of people who promote values of reason, compassion and human dignity. Although most humanists are atheists, atheism is defined by what is absent -- belief in God -- and humanists emphasize a positive philosophy of ethical living for the human good.

Link

I'm not a religious type, but I'm far more likely to side with Christians than atheists.  It seems like these people are searching for some meaning or some reason to be/act in a good way. 

This might belong in another forum, if so  do that.

[formerlurker]

This really doesn't bother or concern me.   It looks like an innocent community orientated group.   

[Zeus]

humanist master's of divinity ?????


humanist Meaning and Definition
a.)a classical scholar or student of the liberal arts
b.)of or pertaining to a philosophy asserting human dignity and man's capacity for fulfillment through reason and scientific method and often rejecting religion


Divinity Meaning and Definition
(a.) The science of divine things; the science which treats of God, his laws and moral government, and the way of salvation; theology.
(a.) The Deity; the Supreme Being; God.
(a.) A pretended deity of pagans; a false god.
(a.) The state of being divine; the nature or essence of God; deity; godhead.
(a.) Something divine or superhuman; supernatural power or virtue; something which inspires awe.
(a.) A celestial being, inferior to the supreme God, but superior to man.

[Jim]

maybe they should just join scientology

[terry]

I thought this is what the Unitarian Universalists were all about.   I know at least one UU that is a flat out atheist.   She actually changed from one UU congregation to another because there was too much talk about God at the first one.   

The UU principles are ..

    * The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
    * Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
    * Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
    * A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
    * The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
    * The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
    * Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

It's more of a community organization than a religion