Stuart's Summary of Humanist Principles
INDIVIDUAL KNOWLEDGE AND HAPPINESS
1. Individuals want to secure a good, happy life for human beings, not just for our selves but also for as many other people as is practically possible. We wish the best of fortune and opportunity, and the least of pain and trouble to everyone.
2. Each individual has the primary responsibility for his or her happiness and well being, but may request, obtain or accept assistance from others.
3. Rationality, critical thinking, and free inquiry are the best approaches for determining the truth and making decisions for the individual and society.
4. All traditions and beliefs, of whatever origin, are subject to full and complete critical examination.
5. All individuals should value the truth, as supported by critical evaluation about life, nature, and society. All individuals should therefore make a constant effort to search, evaluate and understand it.
6. Science is the most powerful method for systematically investigating nature. The natural world has objective reality. However some systems are so complex they may never be understood.
7. Artistic achievements in all its forms, and from all cultures enhance human life and should be considered one of the primary accomplishments of humanity. Individuals should therefore strive to experience many art forms and from a variety of cultures.
INDIVIDUALS AND SOCIETY
1. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
2. Trust others unless they prove themselves untrustworthy. Verify any suspicions before your judgment.
3. Assist people in need where possible, but realize there are limits.
4. Do not kill or hurt other people unless unavoidable for defense.
5. Do not kill or torture animals except where necessary for human survival.
6. Respect other people’s property and their investment in it.
7. Protect, nurture, and educate children. Children must in turn respect their parents and responsible adults.
8. Assess people on an in individual basis only. Their behavior, accomplishments and actions should be the only criteria.
9. Each individual should find a productive vocation or career that contributes positively to society.
10. Do not seek revenge who offend or act wrongly toward you, instead try to communicate the offense to them and discourage the action in the future, and seek fair restitution. Realize however that some people are violent and sociopath and must be sanctioned or detained for the protection of others.
11. Sexual relationships should only be between consenting adults. Individuals must respect the conditions and restrictions of the their partner(s). Individuals must be completely honest with their partner(s) concerning sexual activity.
INDIVIDUALS AND GOVERNMENT
1. Government has the legitimate responsibility and authority to protect lives, safety and rightful property of the individuals over which it has jurisdiction, and to enforce legal contracts.
2. Government may not impose cruel and unusual punishment on individuals who break laws.
3. Government may not search a person or their property without reasonable evidence of a crime.
4. Government may not seize a person’s property unless that individual is convicted of a crime, or as a matter of settling civil suite.
5. Government has the right to eminent domain, but must provide fair market compensation for property. Eminent domain can only be used to promote public projects never for private profit.
6. Government should not engage in wide spread redistribution of wealth. However government must assure that mentally and severely handicapped are treated humanely and cared for. Government may also render temporary assistance to those affected by severe financial hardship, family crisis, illness, or natural disaster.
7. Individuals have a right to a fair trial and not to incriminate themselves and only be tried once for a crime.
8. Religion and government must be kept separate. Governmental authority may only be used to protect the religious freedom and beliefs of all.
9. Individuals have the right and responsibility to vote and participate in public affairs at all levels.
10. Individuals have the obligation to server on juries, pay just and reasonable taxes, and serve their country, state and community in times of crisis.
11. Individuals and groups have the right to speak freely and assemble to criticize or discuss government policy.
12. Government may not restrict commerce between consenting partners, but may enforce rules to prevent fraud, deception or exploitation.
13. Government may not invade the private lives of individuals unless the individual is suspected of committing a crime.
14. Government may legislate and enforce laws concerning the preservation of the environment.
15. Government has the obligation to promote the health and education of its citizens, however should not consider itself the best source of education or health.
16. Government has the right and obligation to make rules to regulate commerce, assure public safety and the security of its citizens.