To assert that secular humanism allows a view of ourselves as “commodities with a price tag” is about as misguided a statement as can be made about the humanist point of view (“The Sebelius savings plan,” Comment & Analysis, Wednesday).

There is no part of humanism that would lend itself to the idea that people are to be seen as having a “date of manufacture” and “an expiration date.” Humanism rejects supernaturalism in its effort to help people lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.

“Guided by reason, inspired by compassion and informed by experience” is a common statement about humanism, and it gives all of us a permanently open door to discovering what it is to be human and how to build a society that gives us all the most we can get from life. Just ask any humanist.

ROY SPECKHARDT
Executive director
American Humanist Association
Washington
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Original from Washington Times found here.