Human Light
HumanLight is a Humanist holiday celebrated on December 23. Like Kwanzaa, HumanLight is a modern invention, created to provide a specifically Humanist celebration near Christmas and the northern Hemisphere's winter solstice. It was established by the New Jersey Humanist Network in 2001.
Humanists have cast HumanLight as a celebration of "a Humanist's vision of a good future." They celebrate a positive approach to the coming new year, generally through the lens of Humanist (and particularly secular humanist) philosophy—secular as opposed to religious. The December 23 date allows HumanLight to connect itself to the December holiday season without interfering with other winter holidays which many Humanists may also celebrate.
HumanLight began with a single event in Verona, New Jersey in 2001. In 2006, there were twenty American events listed on the holiday's homepage, and the American Humanist Association became HumanLight's first national sponsor. In 2007, the first HumanLight celebration outside of the U.S. took place in Chester, England.
Humanists tend to shy away from both rigid thinking and rituals. Thus, the specific events and activities involved in any HumanLight celebration are open to invention and creativity. However, not everyone likes to start from scratch, and the easiest approach to developing an event is to borrow from what others have done.
ReplyDeleteSome events combine the Winter Solstice and HumanLight celebrations together, but make clear distinctions between both.
Also, keep in mind that although it is wonderful to be able to gather with a larger community, HumanLight can be celebrated at home, either by yourself or with a small gathering of family and friends.
No matter how you choose to celebrate HumanLight, we request, and strongly encourage, that you follow three basic principles:
1. Your event/activity should in some way serve to celebrate and promote the values and ideals of Humanism.
2. Your event/activity should NOT be critical of, or negative towards, religious people and religious holidays such as Christmas. In this way, your religious friends and family might be comfortable attending.
3. Your event/activity should be family-friendly and children-oriented in some way, so that people with children will not hesitate to attend with them.
You could include any or all of the following things at a HumanLight celebration:
1. Some kind of meal – a potluck dinner is a popular choice.
2. A candle-lighting ceremony.
3. Short readings (e.g. excerpts from the writings of Robert Ingersoll).
4. Educational entertainment for children. One recent event included a professional science demonstration for kids. Some other events featured magicians–who then revealed how their tricks were done.
5. Children’s activities related to Humanism or HumanLight, such as a HumanLightWordSearch.
6. Short talks or discussions.
7. Comedy skits and other forms of levity.
8. A White Elephant Gift Exchange.
9. Music and song: Many people enjoy a live musical performance at their public group celebrations, or have the audience sing-a-long with popular songs that are appropriate to HumanLight. And three original HumanLight songs (that we know of) have been composed; they could be played or performed:
9.1 “HumanLight” by Sonny Meadows, on his CD “Let the Light Shine”: available from the artist or on our merchandise page.
9.2 “These Three Flames” by Monty Harper: lyrics, music and a recording are available here.
10. Dancing: ballroom and/or contemporary.
11. Video excerpts from programs such as Evolution, Cosmos, Contact or other films and television programs.
12. Hand out (or sell) copies of the Affirmation of Humanism for Kids Coloring Books for children.
Cards and other items with the HumanLight symbol are available on our Merchandise Page.
However you choose to mark the occasion, it is extremely important that you remember that HumanLight is meant to be an event that focuses on the positive aspects of humanity, reason and hope. Criticism of the faith community is inconsistent with the intended message of HumanLight.
In fact, participants in earlier HumanLight celebrations have greatly appreciated the positive and uplifting atmosphere, and have indicated that it has been a key ingredient in making the event as rewarding and successful as it has been.
HumanLight illuminates Humanism's positive secular vision. In Western societies, late December is a season of good cheer and a time for gatherings of friends and families. During the winter holiday season, where the word "holiday" has taken on a more secular meaning, many events are observed. This tradition of celebrations, however, is grounded in supernatural religious beliefs that many people in modern society cannot accept. HumanLight presents an alternative reason to celebrate: a Humanist's vision of a good future. It is a future in which all people can identify with each other, behave with the highest moral standards, and work together toward a happy, just and peaceful world.
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