From a lunchtime seminar organised by the East of England Faiths Agency for Suffolk County Council Staff in Ipswich on 14 October 2010. The previous seminar was led by a local vicar and more seminars would be led by various faith representatives. My introduction was followed by a Q & A session.

Im a Humanist. Humanism is a descriptive word applied retrospectively (from about the late 19th century) to a certain set of beliefs and values, free from religion. These beliefs and values are at least as old as recorded history.

Humanists accept naturalism (rather than supernaturalism) and we value scientific method as a means to gain knowledge. We accept that this life is the only one we have, and we think that morality arises out of human nature and culture. These ideas are a permanent alternative that recur throughout time and place. Theyve been evident in Europe from the 6th century BCE to about 6th century CE, in China from the 6th century BCE onwards (the followers of Confucius were humanists), in India from the 6th century onwards, in the Arab world from about the 12th century, and in the Western world  from about the 17th century onwards.

Humanism isnt a religion for atheists. Its not equivalent to religion. Its not a faith the word faith means believing in something without evidence, which is anathema to a humanist. Humanists use reason to try to make sense of life and the world we live in, and if theres something we dont know or understand were content to admit that we dont know.

Some people misunderstand the word humanist and think that it means an anthropocentric (meaning human-centred) view of the universe, as though were the most important species. We are important because were potentially the most dangerous species, but humanisms about being aware of this potential and of our responsibility to live in a way that will cause the least harm.

Many humanists might describe themselves as atheists, or are willing to be described as atheists, but Im uncomfortable with the term, for several reasons. The word atheist comes from the Greek a meaning without, and theos, meaning god. I dont care to be described in ter