Humanism is attracting members from across the political and religious divide, North and South. What's the attraction, asks Kate Holmquist ahead of their summer school
A first acquaintance with humanism, for many of us, involves attending a humanist funeral, wedding or civil partnership ceremony. God isn't exactly banned from the proceedings, since humanism defines itself by being open to interpretation.
"We don't like labels. Some humanist groups describe themselves as 'organisations of the caring Godless'," says Brian McClinton, of Humani (the Northern Ireland Organisation for Humanism), organisers of this weekend's cross-Border Humanist Summer School in Carlingford, Co Louth.
Humanism is "a philosophy of life that emphasises reason, love, co-operation, tolerance and humanity. You reject authoritarian opinion and tradition in the sense that you want to find out the truth for yourself," says McClinton.
At monthly meetings in Dublin and Sligo in the State, and in Coleraine and Belfast in the North, humanists gather to discuss their philosophy and motives. There are usually scheduled speakers, then an opportunity for individuals to "rant". Most members are middle-aged.
Secular, non-religious education and equal rights for gays and lesbians are issues that currently engage humanists on both sides of the Border. Many same-sex couples in the North have had humanist civil partnership ceremonies and in the State, there are strong links between humanism and the Educate Together movement.
The island of Ireland has 200 humanists in the North and 200 in the South, which adds up to proportionately more humanists than the UK, says McClinton. This would have been gratifying to 18th-century Irish writer John Toland, a self-avowed "pantheist" who many humanists regard as the first "free thinker".
Toland stated, "The sun is my father, the earth my mother, the world is my country and all men are my family".
Humanism has drawn members from both the Catholic and Protestant religions and from the Orange and "Green" traditions. Says McClinton: "Ireland now has a melting pot of numerous ethnic identities, yet its social and political institutions have not adapted to this new plurality and are still based on a Christian monoculture. This Christian hegemony largely remains in the important areas of culture, politics, the legal system and education. The most successful countries are those which have diverse cultures utilising all the talents of their diversity in the common interest."
While humanism is not a religion, it does fill the spiritual gap for people who have rejected Christianity. While they are atheists, humanists don't take kindly to being labelled as such and many find it irritating that in the media, journalists tend to limit themselves to the Christian traditions for comment on social and ethical issues. Humanists are usually consulted only as "token atheists".
"That's a very negative label," says McClinton, "when humanism is actually a positive movement."
Speakers at this year's summer school will include Robin Wilson of Democratic Dialogue, Jeff Dudgeon, author of Roger Casement: The Black Diaries and Paul Rowe of Educate Together. Workshops will explore and develop themes such as Third Way politics, multiculturalism, cosmopolitanism, sexual diversity and integrated education.
The Humanist Summer School takes place at the Heritage Centre, Carlingford, Co Louth, starting tomorrow, at 8pm, and continuing on Saturday from 10am and Sunday 10am. Registration Friday evening or Saturday morning. Both days: €45/£40 (Sat dinner: €30/£20). For further information, contact Brian McClinton in Lisburn, 048 92677264, or in Dublin, Ann James 01-8413116.
If you're interested in organising a Humanist ceremony, contact Dick Spicer, ceremonies co-ordinator of the Humanist Association of Ireland (01-2869870). See also www.irish-humanists.org and www.nireland.humanists.net