The Next Generation of Humanism
Young Australians are increasingly less religious and are actively trying to create social change through high volumes of advocacy and volunteering. This is why Chrys Stevenson believes humanism is more relevant than ever and that young people will help shape the future of the movement.
By Chrys Stevenson
Twenty-three-year-old Alisdair Gurling talks about humanism with the same kind of pride and excitement as some young people talk about their favourite sporting team. Alisdair’s passion is to make the world a better, kinder place and he sees Humanists Australia as an organisation that will help him achieve that goal. As a director of Humanists Australia, one of Alisdair’s key goals is to attract more young people to the cause.
“For young people like me,” says Alisdair “Humanism offers a profound moral framework. It’s a secular lens for exploring the big questions that give our lives meaning, and a foundation for helping us find, and engage in, purposeful activities with a community of like-minded people.”
“I think most young people are humanists, they just don’t realise it yet,” he says.
At the heart of humanism, Alisdair explains, is a simple maxim: kindness matters. He says:
“For people who think that kindness should infuse everything we do, humanism is about translating that theory into action. Humanists Australia provides opportunities for people who think in humanist ways to act in humanist ways and to compound their individual efforts as part of a collective.”
As an organisation, Humanists Australia is committed to creating this kind of community.
Of course, many young activists are already involved in issues like climate change, Indigenous, LGBTIQA+ and women’s rights, and other causes. But Alisdair believes humanism provides a philosophy and a rallying point that brings together these social movements. He explains:
“Intersectional issues require co-operative strategies. Humanism has the potential to provide a strong, philosophical and organisational touch-stone that connects activists across the globe. Connecting people and ideas! That’s exciting to me!”
Alisdair’s enthusiasm for meaningful engagement in social and community causes is shared by thousands of young Australians. In fact, volunteering is the fourth most commonly reported activity for young people in Australia. A recent study from Volunteering Australia found nearly 600,000 young Australians volunteered to work with an organisation or group last year, with nearly a quarter of a million more involved in informal volunteer work.
Traditionally, many such opportunities have come through organisations with religious affiliations. Yet, recent research, conducted by Neil Francis for the Rationalist Association of Australia, shows that religiosity is in steep decline in this country; most notably among people under 35 years old. Nearly 25 percent of Australians aged 18–24 identify as having “no religion” — a significantly larger percentage than other age groups. This decline in religiosity, says Francis, is likely, not only to continue but to accelerate.
Responding to this research, Alisdair explains:
“Many young people are finding that religion isn’t the only path to an ethical life. In humanism, I have found deeply satisfying answers to big, existential questions, and a community that non-dogmatically informs my moral choices. It goes further than atheism because humanism doesn’t focus on what we don’t believe, but instead it focuses on the principles and values that connect us and inform our actions.”
This is confirmed in Francis’ statistical analysis, which shows that, despite being the least religious Australians, younger people are the most open to discussing religion and spirituality. This suggests that, even as young people are rejecting religion, they are exploring ways to “be good without God.”
Traditionally, humanism in Australia has tended to cater for an older demographic. This is not the case overseas where, boasting over 40,000 members, Young Humanists International connects organisations in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. In Norway, where humanism is mainstream, about 20 percent of 15-year-old Norwegians take part in the Norwegian Humanists’ civil confirmation, a secular coming-of-age ceremony that follows a six-week course on humanism, including identity, human rights, and ethics.
Now that Australia has a new, national humanist organisation, CEO, Heidi Nicholl is keen to encourage young people to join and help shape the movement. She says:
“Humanists Australia is a vibrant, new organisation with incredible potential to support and effect social progress. We value our older members for their life-long contributions to the cause and for their great depth of wisdom and knowledge. While we acknowledge that it’s absolutely vital not to lose their skills and insights it’s also crucial that we listen to, learn from and include young humanist perspectives as well. Ideally, both younger and older humanists will listen to and learn from each other.”
Humanists Australia is a member of the Humanists International network which includes Young Humanists International. This connection is key because it helps young Australian members to forge important social and professional links with like-minded people all over the world.
Mission Australia’s latest survey of Australians aged 15–19 years found three of the most pressing issues for young people are equity and discrimination, COVID-19 and mental health. Of course, climate change is another huge concern. A Red Cross survey found more than 80 per cent of young people aged over 16 are concerned or very concerned about climate change. These are all issues which can be explored and addressed through a humanist lens. For example, Humanists Australia has just announced plans for a major initiative on climate change.
For all of us, but for young people in particular, today’s social and environmental problems can seem overwhelming and chaotic. As a philosophy that promotes kindness and the interconnectedness and dignity of all human beings, humanism offers a gentle but effective way forward. Humanism has a long history, but it is more relevant than ever. For example, the kinds of values and ethics embraced by humanists are now seen as crucial to corporate survival in the 21st century. This is evident in finance, banking, investment, human resources, engineering, science, technology, and more. There is also a growing demand for people with humanistic skills to work as secular chaplains (e.g. in hospitals and the military), marriage celebrants, death doulas, and voluntary assisted dying navigators.
Young people who become involved in Humanists Australia will be able to develop both skills and professional networks that will take them far in these kinds of careers. Humanists Australia, for example, is committed to building a network of registered secular celebrants and chaplains and to assist members to gain the credentials necessary to pursue these occupations as part- or full-time careers.
Internationally, humanism is an exciting, vibrant, enthusiastic force for good that attracts young people — like Alisdair — in their thousands. Now it’s Australia’s turn to support our own youth to “become good without God”, to make a valuable contribution to humanity, and to gain the philosophical, social and professional enrichment that comes from sharing common goals with like-minded people.
Would you like to learn more about humanism? Find out more at Humanists Australia here.
