Society for Humanistic Mormonism

The Society for Humanistic Mormonism seeks to create a space for all types of Mormons regardless of where they are on the belief or non-belief spectrum.  It seeks to create open religious communities of Humanistic Mormons (or whatever label one wishes to use to define themselves in their connection to Mormonism) where members or non-members can find support within congregations that are safe and supportive of their "Mormon" identities whatever they may be. 



Here we can create friendships, be authentic to ourselves without trying to convince others to a certain belief or non-belief that we might hold as long as those beliefs conform to reason, science, and compassion.  This Society was organized to create an additional dimension that goes beyond other Mormon communities or denominations that meet up for similar activities or merely have on-line discussion websites.  We no longer accept being on the fringes of Mormonism or the Mormon religious community but rather desire to be the center of the Mormon community with Humanistic Mormonism as our basic underlying commitment.  Towards these ends The Society for Humanistic Mormonism will work to create local communities on the ground across the planet which will over time develop into local Humanistic Mormon congregations and churches.



The Society for Humanistic Mormonism is similar to Unitarian Universalism (inasmuch as we accept all religious or non-religious identities/memberships) and The Society for  Humanistic Judaism (which sees religion as something more than a belief in the supernatural but a tie to a person's history, culture, and the future of a group of people as its core identity).  Our main difference between UUism is that any personal beliefs that are not according to reason, science, or compassion must be abandoned by a Humanistic Mormon if they seek membership in this Society.  Humanistic Mormonism in this end is post-post-modernist with reason and science being its guiding philosophy.  So it is with The Society for Humanistic Mormonism as it is tied to a culture, a history, and a connection to the Mormon people.  We also have many similarities to the movement known as Ethical Culture in our philosophy and services. 



The Society for Humanistic Mormonism is currently incorporationed as a world religion which welcomes both religious and secular Mormons or Ex-Mormon humanists under its tent as well as Mormon or Ex-Mormon transhumanists.  All are welcome including other faiths and secular beliefs as the foundation of this Society is built upon religious pluralism and freedom of belief and freedom of disbelief.  However for membership requirements to become a Humanistic Mormon the person must make a commitment to reason, science, and compassion in their daily lives and abandon any supernatural or irrational beliefs and fully embrace The Life of Reason.



​This Society will serve as a powerhouse for Mormon heritage and culture while maintaining the good that can be found in Mormonism.  It will for example allow  marriages between religious and secular Mormons without the feeling that the status of the marriage is somehow inferior, whether they be heterosexual, homosexual, or lesbian Mormon marriages.  Indeed we plan on creating Humanistic Mormon Temples.  Here in these Temples rather than the traditional story of Adam and Eve, Humanistic Mormons will be taught the current scientific understandings of how this planet, universe, and the evolution of humanity and all life on the planet came about in an Epic of Evolution type of narrative. 



 

We see the story of evolution of humans and all life on this planet as the Epic of Evolution, indeed a mythic narrative or story on par with all good mythic stories, yet scientifically valid.  We are not against myth (but religious frauds, censorship, and supernaturalism) per say but find that many wonderful things can be taken from myths to help live our lives, but we do believe in intellectual honesty and teaching our Humanistic Mormon children the scientific truth about objective reality in a meaningful and indeed awe inspiring way that is spiritually and intellectually uplifting to the soul and the heart or mind.   

 

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Traditional Mormon churches have tended to exclude to a great degree Humanistic Mormons (or any other type of Mormon that didn't appear to be Orthodox to their beliefs), we desire not to do the same to any other type of Mormon, hence our openness to a wide spectrum of belief or non-belief as long as these beliefs are in accordance with reason.  Religions and in particular Mormonism are more than a set of beliefs or dogmas, rather it is a culture and a heritage and we mean to keep our Mormon heritage, our communities, and indeed our religious congregations, and rituals (whether religious or secular).  Humanistic Mormonism claims it is the individual's responsibility to search for themselves to pick and choose their own theology whether that be more religious or more secular or more spiritual.  It is up to the Humanistic Mormon to define what they believe and to search for the truth in a responsible way. As Humanistic Mormons we are not ashamed of our Mormon identity, nor of our past, nor of our present, nor of our future. 



We believe that this Society has a special calling to serve the needs of those Mormons from across the spectrum of belief or non-belief, especially those who have undergone or who are undergoing a crisis or transition in their belief system.  We know the pain, the sense of betrayal, the family distress, that is caused by discovering that the Mormon denominations you may have come from (whether they be the LDS Church or the Community of Christ, or any of the other Mormon denominations that exist today) which have not been completely forthright in their presentation of Mormonism to you. 

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This Society purpose is to help in this transformation which can cause feelings of  isolation, anger, or 'Mormon' guilt.  Here we provide a safe haven to alleviate isolation, depression, pain, and distress by providing a community of respect, acceptance, compassion, and love, no matter whether one chooses to remain a member of one's old denomination, leave it, join ours, or leave 'Mormonism' all together:  We will help you on your journey and respect your choices without judgment. 

 

Whether you decide to join with us in our religious/spiritual/philosophical mission or simply want a place where you can find open and accepting humanistic Mormons to talk with we can provide this service.



We also ask you to remember that in helping others on their Mormon journey you find meaning and purpose in your struggle to define your life journey and triumph over despair or loneliness or simply help those who do struggle. 

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The Allegory of Plato's Cave comes to mind and the return of the philosopher to help those who are remain in darkness in the cave or who are struggling to come out of the darkness of the cave into the sunlight of science, reason, and true spiritual Enlightenment based on love and acceptance of others rather than religious dogma. 

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Thus this Society seeks to uplift all of humanity and promote the progress of the human mind and free it from authoritarian religious structures, dogmas, and superstitions, towards a New Enlightenment and a new religion based on Humanistic Mormonism.  Our greatest source of strength is our authenticity as Mormons as a people and a culture.

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Main facebook group for all of the supporters or members of the Society for Humanistic Mormonism can be found here:

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http://www.facebook.com/groups/societyforhumanisticmormonism/members/