Society for Humanistic Mormonism

The Society for Humanistic Mormonism Answers​

 

16 Tough Questions about Humanistic Mormonism

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1. What is Humanistic Mormonism?

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Humanistic Mormonism is a branch of Mormonism and is represented by the religious denomination known as the Society for Humanistic Mormonism. It combines attachment to Mormon identity and culture with a humanist philosophy and approach to life. It defines Mormonism as the historical and cultural experience of the Mormon people. Humanistic Mormonism affirms that people are independent of supernatural authority and are endowed with reason.

 

2. How can you be Mormon if you don’t believe in God?

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Membership in the Mormon people is not a function of belief it is a function of identification, connection, and history.  While some Humanistic Mormons do not believe in God some do.

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3. Why call what you do Mormonism?

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Mormonism is the evolving culture of the Mormon people. There is no single way to be Mormon. What Mormons do is called Mormonism. What Humanistic Mormons do as Mormons is Mormonism. Pluralism in Mormon life enriches Mormonism and enables a more inclusive and enriched Mormon community.

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4. Why are you a separate denomination/movement in Mormonism?

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What distinguishes Humanistic Movements from other Mormon denominations/movements that identify humanistic themes in Mormonism is our resolve to create a logical connection between our philosophy and our ceremonies. Humanistic Mormon celebrations, ceremonies, songs, and commemorations use humanistic language.

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5. Is Humanistic Mormonism a religion?

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According to the dictionary a religion is an organized collection of beliefs, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to an order of existence. Humanistic Mormonism is a religion using that definition. Humanistic Mormonism falls into the category of a cultural religion, based on history and evolving values guided by science, reason and compassion. Humanistic Mormonism is also a religion in its structure, its congregational model, and school for children, temples, adult education, and life cycle ceremonies. However unlike traditional religion, here we have freedom of thought and freedom of speech. Whether one believes in God or no God (or whether one takes an agnostic view point), or whether one sees Humanistic Mormonism as their personal secular view point or whether they see Humanistic Mormonism as their personal religious view point: All groups are welcome and can be in good standing as Humanistic Mormons. That is to say Humanistic Mormonism has no creed other than a commitment to reason, science, compassion, free inquiry, freedom of speech, and freedom of thought.

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6. If you are not religious in a traditional sense, why have the offices of a "Bishop," an "Apostle," or a "Prophet," etc.?

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A Humanistic Mormon Bishop is someone who is knowledgeable about Mormon history and ceremony. A Humanistic Mormon Bishop provides pastoral care based on Humanist principles. The Humanistic Mormon Bishop gives information, advice, and consultation about existential questions.  Prophets and Apostles are leaders of the Mormon people, they are knowledgeable about Mormon history and ceremony and help lead the Society for Humanistic Mormonism at its highest levels which makes up The First Presidency and The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for the Society for Humanistic Mormonism.  We choose to be part of the Mormon community and calling our leaders with these traditional titles of "Bishop" or "Apostle" or "Prophet," etc., helps us to participate fully in Mormon communal life as other branches of Mormonism have done and are doing.  As Humanistic Mormons we wish to take part in that heritage of which we value.



7. Isn’t the Mormon religion (orthodoxy)/Prophets responsible for what Mormonism is?

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No one owns “Mormonism” it belongs to all of humanity and to all types of Mormons and even belongs to Post-Mormons or Ex-Mormons who have a right to say what they think Mormonism should become or what they think Mormonism is. There are many ways of interpreting what Mormonism is, no one way is the right way. It belongs to world culture and world society as well as the many differing types of Mormons to decide what “Mormonism” is. One thing we are sure of Mormonism will continue to evolve. Humanistic Mormonism is just one step in that evolution, it is sure to keep evolving in the future.

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8. Can Humanistic Mormons believe in a God?

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Yes, in fact it suggests it in our Article of Reason 13:  Finally we believe there is enough evidence to suggest that an afterlife is not only possible but likely given the latest research on near death experiences as well as shared death experiences.  We therefore proclaim that the highest value in life is to learn how to LOVE others and by doing so we will follow the Being of Pure Light and Unconditional Love that people of all religions and none often say they see in the afterlife in their near death experience along with past family members.

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9. Can Humanistic Mormons pray, what do you do and who do you worship?

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Humanistic Mormons may pray to God, use poetry, songs, humanistic holidays, temple ceremonies, life cycle ceremonies, prose, and meditation, etc., to encourage reflection on the meaning of life and to bring the community together.  In addition we have devotional and ceremonial/temple displays to our highest human values the ideal of Reason, Science, Compassion, Love, and Philosophy.  Reason, Science, Philosophy, and Love, Compassion, are not gods that we worship, per say, but rather abstract things that are part of ourselves that we worship and honor. 

 

10. Can someone convert to Humanistic Mormonism?

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We define a Mormon as someone who identifies with the history, culture and fate of the Mormon people. If a person would like to participate in the Mormon experience, they can adopt Mormonism and a Humanistic Mormon community or the Society for Humanistic Mormonism can adopt the person wanting to be part of the Humanistic Mormon family via the ceremony called a ‘Baptism of Reason.’ It’s a mutual experience.  For membership requirements in the Society we do ask that members not belong to other Mormon denominations as total loyalty towards Humanistic Mormonism as a more rational and enlightened Mormonism must be shown.  This does not mean of course we would exclude you from our services but if one was to seek baptism into the Society for Humanistic Mormonism one may not be associated with another denomination or church.  Allegiance to reason must be absolute or not at all.  We also ask that members be interviewed and be in good standing by answering the following questions in good conscience for baptism/temple recommendation/keeping membership active:  1). Do you allow Reason, Compassion, and Love to guide your daily actions? 2). Do you allow the light of Philosophy and Science to inform your ethics, beliefs, and actions in life?  A Humanistic Mormon who fails to meet these basic requirements for membership can be removed as a member if the behavior is deemed to be significant and all other means of reconciliation are made.    

 

​11. If you are Humanists why bother with Mormonism at all?

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Being Mormon is part of our identity. Indeed this is true of most traditional religions we are typically born into a faith that we had little choice or no choice in being part of. Indeed we were born into a faith and a culture and this becomes part of our identity. For those that converted to Mormonism later in life this also becomes part of our identity. When we added Humanism on to our identity we took up that identity as well. Thus the combination of Mormonism and Humanism as our identities is the natural course and evolution of our Humanistic Mormon identities. Understanding and celebrating our roots and helping those roots to evolve past superstition is a noble cause we endeavor to live by as Humanistic Mormons. 

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12. Isn’t all Mormonism humanistic?

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Parts of Mormonism are humanistic, unfortunately not all of it is.  Humanistic Mormonism focuses on the parts of Mormonism that are humanistic and leaves the rest behind.

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13. While Humanistic Mormonism is compatible with Humanism what are its views on Transhumanism?

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The Society for Humanistic Mormonism endorses the Transhumanist Declaration of Humanity + (http://humanityplus.org/philosophy/transhumanist-declaration/). Indeed we consider responsible Transhumanist philosophy to be supportive of Humanism. We therefore support and advance both Humanism and Transhumanism philosophy within this Society as the core principles of belief. Of course members are free to either call themselves Humanists or Transhumanists as our tent is big enough and accommodating to both identities.  Having said that we believe that any transhumanist future must make sure to recognize the importance of this life and the inherent worth and dignity of being human regardless of its duration.  The universal human rights of human beings therefore must always be protected, regardless of any technological or biological advances.  Further any transhumanist beliefs (as with any beliefs one may have) must be guided by reason, science, love, and compassion before they are taken up as beliefs by individual members of the Society.  While Humanistic Mormons wish to extend the lives of humans when ever it is possible we also do not fear death.  Why?  For the simple reason that we believe that death is not the end, our 13th Article of Reason states:

 

We believe there is enough evidence to suggest that an afterlife is not only possible but likely given the latest research on near death experiences as well as shared death experiences.  We therefore proclaim that the highest value in life is to learn how to LOVE others and by doing so we will follow the Being of Pure Light and Unconditional Love that people of all religions and none often say they see in the afterlife in their near death experience along with past family members.  

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14. The Society for Humanistic Mormonism sounds rather accepting as a religion does it like Unitarian Universalism accept other religious/philosophical beliefs along with a Mormon Humanist identity or Mormon background in its membership?

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Unlike Unitarian Universalism (which lately has taken a more postmodernist turn towards truth and reason), Humanistic Mormonism teaches that any belief that one has must be guided by reason and science within the Society for Humanistic Mormonism.  Therefore only those beliefs from other belief systems that an individual chooses which conform to reason and science will be accepted in the Society and all others not conforming themselves must be rejected both by the Society and the individual member.  A commitment to reason in Humanistic Mormonism is an all-inclusive life commitment and tolerance of irrationality or anti-scientific beliefs is not a rational faith.  As such the world religions and even some secular political movements have tolerated anti-science or anti-reason beliefs in the past and all these superstitions must be rejected by the Humanistic Mormon.  Therefore each belief must be tested against what reason and science is telling us.  Humanistic Mormonism accepts Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, natural theist, atheist, agnostic, absurdist, deist, pandeist, pantheist, pagan, transhumanist, Taoist, and other beliefs as long as they conform to reason and science. Or no particular theological label to their beliefs as long as these beliefs conform to reason and science.  In other words we accept truth wherever we can find it and we try to reject things that are untrue, because we believe that objective truth is real and discoverable by us.

 

Individuals within Humanistic Mormonism must search for themselves as individuals what to believe and this Society will not enforce any theological beliefs or creeds except for the Covenant of Reason (which is we commit in following the Dictates of Reason and Science in our daily actions with others and ourselves throughout our lives) which is the Covenant or promise one makes at baptism when one becomes a Humanistic Mormon to take upon ourselves the name of Reason throughout their lives as their ultimate guide. 

 

Ultimately it is up to the Prophets and Apostles of Reason to make sure that its pronouncements are as close to the latest science as possible and in particular the Prophet of Reason, the Seer of Science’s role is to guide people of reason everywhere on the earth towards Enlightenment, not just Humanistic Mormons, but in addition to them; so that the world will be a better place conducive to reason, world peace, and a scientific understanding of our world. 

 

Thus Humanistic Mormonism teaches that continuing ‘revelation’ comes via science and reason and positions of the Society are certain to change with the latest scientific and philosophical breakthroughs.  As a rule the leaders of the Society must go with the strongest evidence with due regard to the ever changing scientific consensus and help the members live a true life of reason and happiness.

 

Thus certain traditions and spiritual practices of the Native Americans, Neopaganism, Christianity, Zen Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Pantheism, Unitarian Universalism, Pandeism, and Deism are all welcome here as long as they conform to reason and science. ​

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15. Are there any other names that Humanistic Mormons go by?

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"Humanistic Mormons," are officially called "Sagely Saints," in the Society for Humanistic Mormonism;  because they must strive to be "Holy" that is exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one striving for perfection in goodness and righteousness.  In general all "Humanistic Mormons" must aspire to be "Sages" and "Saints" and this is why "Humanistic Mormons" are officially called "Sagely Saints"; as the goal is to be both "wise" ("Sagely") and strive at the same time to become holy and a "Saint": that is one who does the virtuous good deeds in both thought and action and avoids doing evil and negative deeds in both thought and action.

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16.  Do you believe an afterlife is possible?

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In the end of our Article of Reason 13 we state: We believe there is enough evidence to suggest that an afterlife is not only possible but likely given the latest research on near death experiences as well as shared death experiences.  We therefore proclaim that the highest value in life is to learn how to LOVE others and by doing so we will follow the Being of Pure Light and Unconditional Love that people of all religions and none often say they see in the afterlife in their near death experience along with past family members.