The
Humanist Church
We believe . . .
Truth is conformity to fact or actuality. All truths are derived from natural causes and not from revelation.
The truths of human nature demonstrated in art and literature, are as important as the truths demonstrated by science.
Ordinary people are capable of solving problems. It is better to actively work toward solutions than to rely on Divine assistance.
Ordinary people are capable of understanding the world using logical, rational, and analytic thought. All phenomena can be explained in terms of natural causes and laws without attributing moral, spiritual, or supernatural significance to them.
Each person is born a good person and without "original" sin. Furthermore, each person is capable of living free from sin.
Each person has the ability, called judgment, to assess situations or circumstances and to draw sound conclusions.
Each person has the ability, called free will, to use their judgment to choose acts conforming to a set of principles defining right and wrong. We believe it's better to choose actions according to how closely they conform to ideal principles defining right and wrong rather than according to the perceived consequences of the action.
Each person has the obligation to take responsibility for their accidental and deliberate acts. This responsibility includes expressing regret to the person wronged, making all possible reparations, and making every effort not to repeat the wrong. We all err, but we are not "sinners" and do not need to be "saved".
Natural consequences are the only results of our actions. We do not believe in the existence of heaven or hell.
All life came into being during the process of evolution. We are a part of the world and not dominant over it. We belong to each other and to the world itself.
The bible was written by human beings. We do not believe that the bible is the literal word of God, nor do we accept it as an authoritative reference.
It's important to honor the great thinkers who have contributed to the world's body of knowledge. While we do not worship these people (or always agree with them), we do take time during the year to celebrate their lives and their contributions to our world. Through their works they have achieved a type of immortality. They are our mentors.
The Principles
of the
Humanist Church
It is wrong to cause harm or discomfort to anyone.
It is wrong to steal, damage or destroy the property of others.
It is wrong to deceive or dissemble.
It is right to protect and teach all children.
It is right to be benevolent, kind, and compassionate to others.
It is right to enjoy life.
A Little History
The early humanists were not a separate religious group or sect. In fact, they were devout Catholics. Their interest (and the derivation of their name) was in the humanities. Their passion was to find and translate the early Greek and Roman works. It is because of their efforts that many of these works were rescued and survive to this day. The early humanists were Italian and their interest in these works was partially motivated by an interest in their personal heritage.
The passion to revive ancient texts migrated to the northwest and found a new home in Germany. The Germans, however, didn't feel tied to just Greek and Latin texts. Their passion included early biblical texts as well. This exposed many contradictions between the teachings of Catholicism and the early Christian writers. The best known of the German humanists was Desiderius Erasmus, who lived from 1466 to 1536 CE. His research and translations of ancient mathematicians and astronomers influenced Copernicus and countless others.
Science gradually replaced the humanities as the primary focus of study. The humanist movement continued to contribute by insisting upon "practical uses" of science. In those days, an emphasis on the practical eliminated what is now called pseudo-science from the field of inquiry. As the world began to understand how nature functioned, a new skepticism arose. It was now conceivable that the world could operate without a supernatural force.
This concept grew into a religion known as Deism. Deists believed God simply stopped showing any interest in human life, after creating the universe. Deism migrated to America where it had a profound influence. Many of America's founding fathers including Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George Wahington, Ethan Allen and Thomas Paigne were Deists.
It's important to remember that Freedom of Religion as an inalienable right was first asserted by these men. Only in a free society could secular groups arise asserting the existence of a natural universe that occurred accidentally and continues autonomously without purpose or design. Many of these groups, have chosen the word "humanist" to describe their emphasis on the dignity and worth of the individual in an all natural world. Humanism is defined today as a system of thought that centers on human beings and their values, capacities, and worth.
Goals of the
Church of North Texas
Our goal is to create a community fostering goodwill, good friends, emotional support during hard times, happiness during good times, a moral grounding, and the spirit of creativity.
Our goal is to return to the roots of humanism. We have passion for the classics, for science and technology. We acknowledge and respect our American traditions especially the separation of church and state.
Please join us
All individuals have substantial and equal worth in the Humanist Church. We welcome all, Christians and Non-Christians, who believe as we do.
Contact Us
At our meetings on the third Saturday of every month at 11:30 AM at the Denton Unitarian/Universal Church.
At our web page:
www.HCNT.com
Or our Yahoo Group:
"HCNT"
Our Mentors
There is no end to this list....
Erasmus
Darwin
Bacon
Newton
Sophocles
Ingersoll
Rabelais
Voltaire
Hume
Shakespeare
Jefferson
Paign
Reason, Observation and Experience - the Holy Trinity of Science - have taught us that happiness is the only good; that the time to be happy is now, and the way to be happy is to make others so.
The Gods by Robert Green Ingersoll
[Authored by Cynthia Keaton. Adopted 2004-06-19.]