North East Humanists - Beliefs

Beliefs

The main beliefs of the North East Humanists, as stated on their website, are:

• In common with other forms of life, human beings are part of an evolutionary process that began billions of years ago.
• There is no supernatural agency to which we can turn for instruction, justice, comfort, or support. The solutions to human problems are in the hands of humans alone.
• We acquire our moral values not from a supernatural source but from the groups and society that we grow up in.
• Men and women are responsible for their conduct and should have regard for the welfare of others.
• As far as we know, our life is the only one we will ever have.
• Human beings can lead happy, creative, fulfilling and meaningful lives whilst in this world.

The word 'belief' is used by the group in the sense of something believed, in the form of an opinion or conviction. This should not be confused with belief in the religious sense, meaning confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof, or belief in a certain religious tenet or set of tenets, more commonly referred to as faith.

The group considered the IHEU Amsterdam Declaration of 2002, and believed it could be expanded to answer basic questions that frequently arise from group members, acquaintances and guests at meetings. To address this, a working party produced a discussion paper which was widely circulated.