Humanism & Humanist Ceremonies

We're very excited to have booked a Humanist Celebrant for our wedding ceremony in New York.  I won't lie, Humanism is something that we're still learning about.  The first I'd heard of a Humanist Wedding Ceremony was when my lovely friend Heather and her fiancé Darren booked a Humanist Celebrant for their wedding in September.  When Heather first told me about it, I got to reading about Humanism and just loved the ideas and readings I came across.  I hadn't considered having a Humanist conduct our little ceremony until the idea was put to us by our photographer Amber who's own fiancé is a Celebrant.  This lead me to doing even more research and reading, and we really do think it's the right choice for us as a couple. I'm so excited to be getting a first glimpse of a Humanist ceremony when we go to Heather's wedding (where I'm doing a reading, too! agh!)

Here are some quotes I've found on the British Humanist Association website.

"Throughout recorded history there have been non-religious people who have believed that this life is the only life we have, that the universe is a natural phenomenon with no supernatural side, and that we can live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. They have trusted to the scientific method, evidence, and reason to discover truths about the universe and have placed human welfare and happiness at the centre of their ethical decision making."

"Humanist Ceremonies work on behalf of those who seek to live ethical lives on the basis of reason and humanity. We promote Humanism, a secular state, and equal treatment of everyone regardless of religion or belief. We encourage people to think for themselves about what is right and wrong, based on reason and respect for others to find meaning, beauty and joy in the life we have because we believe people can use empathy and compassion to make the world a better place for everyone."

"Humanism promotes an ethical life stance, which affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives. It stands for the building of a more humane society through an ethic based on human and other natural values in the spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities."

So, that's exciting :)