1930's Religion | "The Humanist Manifesto"

Publication.

The May—June 1934 issue of the New Humanist contained what was called "The Humanist Manifesto," a statement that sought to offer an alternative for people unwilling to rely on religion for an explanation of life and its meanings. The signers of the manifesto included distinguished figures such as Harry Elmer Barnes, Robert Morss Lovett, Charles Francis Potter, Llewellyn Jones, and, most important, philosopher John Dewey.

Science over Supernaturalism.

"The Humanist Manifesto" sought to focus attention on the evidence science gave about nature and life in order to encourage people to reject supernaturalism. It included such points as the need to recognize that the universe was "self-existing," not created, and that humanity was a part of nature and had evolved as part of a continuing process. The manifesto rejected the old question of the duality of mind (or soul) and body by incorporating the mind...