Humanist Manifesto is the title of three manifestos laying out a Humanist worldview. They are the original Humanist Manifesto (1933, often referred to as Humanist Manifesto I), the Humanist Manifesto II (1973), and Humanism and Its Aspirations (2003, a.k.a. Humanist Manifesto III). The Manifesto originally arose from religious Humanism, though secular Humanists also signed.
The central theme of all three is the elaboration of a philosophy and value system which does not necessarily include belief in a personal God or any higher power, although the three differ considerably in their tone, form, and ambition. Each has been signed at its launch by various prominent academics and others who are in general agreement with its principles.
Excerpts:
FIRST: Religious humanists regard the universe as self-existing and not created.
SECOND: Humanism believes that man is a part of nature and that he has emerged as a result of a continuous process.
THIRD: Holding an organic view of life, humanists find that the traditional dualism of mind and body must be rejected.
Using technology wisely, we can control our environment, conquer poverty, markedly reduce disease, extend our life-span, significantly modify our behavior, alter the course of human evolution and cultural development, unlock vast new powers, and provide humankind with unparalleled opportunity for achieving an abundant and meaningful life.
Traditional moral codes and newer irrational cults both fail to meet the pressing needs of today and tomorrow. False "theologies of hope" and messianic ideologies, substituting new dogmas for old, cannot cope with existing world realities. They separate rather than unite peoples.
Promises of immortal salvation or fear of eternal damnation are both illusory and harmful. They distract humans from present concerns, from self-actualization, and from rectifying social injustices. Modern science discredits such historic concepts as the "ghost in the machine" and the "separable soul." Rather, science affirms that the human species is an emergence from natural evolutionary forces. As far as we know, the total personality is a function of the biological organism transacting in a social and cultural context. There is no credible evidence that life survives the death of the body. We continue to exist in our progeny and in the way that our lives have influenced others in our culture.
We would resist any moves to censor basic scientific research on moral, political, or social grounds.
In 1961 the United States Supreme Court declared Humanism to be a RELIGION (case of Torcasco vs. Watkins).
Among the signatories of Humanist Manifesto I is John Dewey, whose extensive work and influence in establishing the Humanist philosophy of government school teaching is well documented. He is frequently referred to as the 'father' of present-day government school education.
Dr. C. M. Pierce, Harvard University, said in a speech to teachers:
"Every child in America entering school at the age of five is INSANE because he comes to school with certain allegiances toward our founding fathers, toward our elected officials, toward his parents, toward a belief in a supernatural being, toward the sovereignty of this nation as a separate entity. It's up to you as teachers to make all of these SICK children well, by creating the international children of the future."
Paul Blanchard, noted Humanist author and educator, said:
"Our schools may not teach Johnny to read properly, but the very fact that Johnny is in school until he is 16 tends to lead toward the elimination of religious superstition."
On May 1, 1933, John Evans, the religion editor of the Chicago Tribune, under the title, "Liberals See New Religion without God," summed up the manifesto's case:
Inasmuch as a universe without God has no way of imparting "revelation," and because the inhabitants of a godless universe are devoid of "spirit," which is the vehicle of revelation's reception by mankind, then, in order to get on well in the universe, man must adopt a strictly scientific spirit, the humanist creed asserts. . . . Says the new creed: "Religion must formulate its hopes and plans in the light of the scientific spirit and method."
Whither is God?” cried Friedrich Nietzsche’s madman. “I shall tell you. We have killed him—you and I.” But the people only stared in astonishment. “I come too early,” said the madman. “This tremendous event . . . has not yet reached the ears of man.” (And that was in 1882!) Even so, the madman’s cry has reached some ears in every generation since. And for those, the madman had a question: “Must not we ourselves become gods simply to seem worthy of [God’s death]?” When God is gone, faith turns to humanity.