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I consider myself a Secular Humanist. This best describes the very essence of my being.
I was one who 'wrestled' with the validity of religious dogma much of my preadolescence and into adult life. I had wavered between conflicting notions of agnosticism and deism for many years.
Ultimately, I arrived at the settled conviction that religion, magical thinking or the supernatural has no place in my being.
I embraced a transforming "life stance". With the newly found clarity, I made a commitment to apply speculative-reasoning with an open-mind in a reasonable and reflective way; I now willingly employ thoughtful, self-corrective concepts & principles in the light of reason and confident understanding.
I had my experiences with notions of futility, and nihilistic delusions...
The ordeal revealed a visceral awareness of an innate impetus to self-preservation. It revealed a consciousness of something to be derived from the instinctive notion of the "will to power".
I found it rational and liberating in that I do not need a reason for existence - through the notion of enlightened self interest - I can actively give rational motive to life through reasoning, ethical intuition and secular dealings with others.
With a diligent "love of wisdom"; through a critically applied philosophy - I engage wholly in the human condition in realistic terms with an integrated worldview . This worldview was conceived through education, experience, introspection (as a valid method of investigation), and attained empirical knowledge; realized through the continuity of pure reason.
With genuine certainty, and an approach characterized by beliefs which promote reason, ethics, justice, and morality; which is found within the personality, and its basis is the person's motive, intent or will.
I can now live out my life, in agency of critical intelligence - substantiated and strengthened by gained insights into acquired empirical knowledge, justified beliefs through inferred evidence, while actualizing & valuing empathy, compassion and reason which has me convinced that my ability to think critically and rationally about the world affords me great confidence and strength in my convictions - as the best way of actively understanding the world . .
Man is the only creature that strives to surpass himself, and yearns for the impossible. ~ Eric Hoffer
Blind faith, no matter how passionately expressed, will not suffice. Science for its part will test relentlessly every assumption about the human condition. ~ E. O. Wilson
Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear. - Thomas Jefferson

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Terry Meaden
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