Humanism
What does a humanist believe?
Humanists reject the idea or belief in a supernatural being such as God. This means that Humanists class themselves as agnostic or atheist.
Humanists have no belief in an afterlife, and so they focus on seeking happiness in this life. They rely on science for the answers to questions such as creation, and base their moral and ethical decision-making on reason, empathy and compassion for others.
Humanists are concerned with human welfare and happiness and believe that this is the one and only life and world they have.
As a result, they believe that people should make the most of their lives while on Earth. However, they also believe that they have a duty to support others to live fulfilling lives too – this includes people who are alive today as well as future generations.
Because Humanists do not believe in any kind of god or supernatural force that will solve their problems, they believe that human beings must take sole responsibility for solving the world's environmental problems. Only humans are capable of finding the solutions that can lead to a sustainable existence.
Evolution
Humanists believe that human beings were not created, but instead evolved naturally. They believe that humans go on evolving, along with the rest of the species on our planet today. Evidence shows how human welfare is heavily dependent on the natural world and on the continued existence of many other species.