- About Humanism
About humanism
An invitation to live life rationally and meaningfully
Humanism is a progressive philosophy of living which bases its concerns and values on science, ethics, and justice. Humanists admire the human capacity to collaborate, to solve problems, and to fashion ethical conduct based on reason and the pursuit of collective knowledge, rather than relying upon subjective, personal truths, religious authority, or dogma. Humanism stresses the dignity of the individual, human rights, and equality, and promotes ethical behaviour grounded in shared human values.
Humanist Manifesto
To be a humanist is to be human - to take responsibility for yourself and the world in which we live. It is a way of life that calls for consciousness, community, and meaningful connection with oneself, others, and the environment.
Humanism is based on respect for the dignity, freedom, and rights of every individual, encouraging the pursuit of knowledge, the creation of a democratic society, and concern for the common good. Humanity arises from the ability to understand and feel the experiences of others. Empathy is our strength, allowing us to recognise the feelings and uniqueness of others. Freedom and responsibility are partners – without this union, freedom becomes chaos, and responsibility turns into oppression. We strive for a society where knowledge, culture, art, and science help to build a world based on rationality, creativity, and empathy.
We invite you to consciously experience the important moments in life. Naming a child, uniting lives, or saying goodbye to loved ones can become meaningful ceremonies, reflecting an individual's uniqueness and connection to others.
Birth marks not only the beginning of new life, but also the community's commitment to sharing knowledge and values. Partnership becomes not a dogma, but a conscious decision by two people to create a common path.
Life's end can be celebrated as a meaningful commemoration of the legacy left behind and the inspiration for new generations.
To be human is to choose consciousness over apathy, dialogue over silence, and action over inaction, every single day.
We are people.
We are creating meaning.
The history of humanist ideas
The philosophical principles of humanism – rationality, ethics, human dignity, and the importance of knowledge – began to form in antiquity. For example, Protagoras (5th century BCE) put forward the idea that humans, rather than gods, create meaning („man is the measure of all things“). Stoicism (3rd century BCE) proposed the idea that the direction of humanity is to live according to reason and virtue. Secular humanism also emphasises critical thinking and moral responsibility. The Stoics argued that humans have a unique ability to think rationally, and humanism relies on science and critical thinking as ways to understand the world. A common idea is that when a person cannot change external circumstances, they can control their perspective and actions, having the freedom and responsibility to create their own life's meaning. The idea that man is part of the universe was formed in antiquity; today, humanism encourages understanding nature through science and protecting it for future generations.
During the Middle Ages, religion dominated the explanation of the world. However, the Renaissance revived ancient ideas, and the word „humanism“ began to be used to describe worldviews. Humanism was not initially strictly secular; its ideas evolved over centuries alongside religion and philosophy. Thinkers such as Erasmus of Rotterdam and Michelangelo emphasised human potential for self-improvement through science, art, and critical thinking. During the Enlightenment, humanism gradually separated from religious dogma and became secular. In the Age of Enlightenment (17th-18th centuries), Voltaire, John Locke, and Denis Diderot championed the importance of reason, liberty, and human rights, promoting a scientific understanding of the world free from religious dogma.
Am I a humanist?
Having learned the concept of the humanist worldview, identifying yourself as a humanist, let alone calling yourself one, can seem strange. Isn't it just another label that takes away your freedom to think for yourself?
For individuals who have consciously chosen to abandon religion, a new name for their belief system might seem like picking a new religion. However, people who consider themselves humanists have defined and formed their values through knowledge and experience, and humanism simply becomes a word they discover to describe themselves. It doesn't signify conversion or a declaration of „from today onwards, I will live differently.“ A humanist worldview and beliefs prevail in a person's choices, though sometimes there may be a lack of tools, accessibility to services, knowledge, or support to achieve life choices based on the ideals of humanity – critical thinking, human dignity, kindness, and creativity.
Organised Humanism in the World and Lithuania
The first humanist organisations began to form in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. For example, in 1896, the Ethical Culture Society was founded in the USA, promoting ethical living without religious dogma. In Europe, the Humanistic League (Humanistisch Verbond) was established in the Netherlands in 1929, aiming to promote secular humanist values. These organisations laid the groundwork for the later international humanist movement, which continues to promote rationality, ethics, and human rights today.
The ideas of secularism arrived in Lithuania from the West, with an increasing number of people considering that the state should be separated from the Church. Dr. Jonas Basanavičius and Dr. Jonas Šliūpas are considered pioneers of this movement. The latter founded the freethought organisation „Spindulys“ in 1895, the Association of Lithuanian Freethinkers in America in 1900, the Union of Lithuanian Freethinkers in 1910, and later the Lithuanian Freethinkers Federation in 1918 and the Society of Freethought Ethical Culture in 1935. During the interwar period, the Lithuanian freethought movement aimed to introduce civil registration and exempt children of non-believers from religious education classes. They demanded that national holidays be celebrated secularly and established freethought cemeteries.
The Amsterdam Declaration of 2022, which outlines the core beliefs and values of humanism (this declaration is an improved version of the earlier humanist declarations of 1952 and 2002), can be considered the main document defining secular humanism.
Humans are social animals, shaped by evolution and culture to live together in society. For society to function, it requires norms, laws, and regulation. As society changes, these principles must always be open to challenges and updates arising from ongoing ethical discussions and rational debates.
Ambassadors of Humanistic Ideas
You are invited to familiarise yourself with the list of notable humanists here.