American Religious Humanism: Revised Edition by Mason Olds
This is literally the story of how today’s non-theistic Humanist movement came into existence. Please note however, that “religious” hasn’t always meant “theistic” as it is often understood today. The term “religious humanism” has never referred to a brand of humanism that believes in godstuff or other elements of supernaturalism. In reality, even “religious” humanism is inherently non-theistic. In fact, First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis (FUS), which features so prominently in this story, nicknamed “the birthplace of religious humanism,” is my own local humanist community, where I’ve served on the board and actively teach humanism courses today. But language (especially historic language) can be confusing, and for this reason, FUS has worked for the last decade or so to rebrand “religious humanism” as “congregational humanism,” in an effort to overcome the common misunderstanding conflating religious with theistic. Either way, if you’re interested in learning more about how humanism itself and various nonprofits such as the American Humanist Association came into being, you’ll definitely want to check this book out! (Drew)
“The founders of modern religious humanism believed that to make religion real, reasonable, honest and practical was to enrich human life in all its dimensions. Their stories offer a refreshing confidence in the human capacity for understanding and discovery, and a bracing summons to personal honesty and responsibility for the quality of both our inner lives and our communities.” — The Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons, senior minister of the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.
“With this classic study of the remarkable achievements of John H. Dietrich, Curtis W. Reese and Charles F. Potter, Mason Olds has set a very high standard for all future writers on American religious humanism.” — David Schaefer, president HUUmanist Association.
“To apprehend the development of American liberal religious thoughts as is progressed into the 20th century, an understanding of the emergence of religious humanism is imperative. Mason Old’s American Religious Humanism provides an excellent foundation for gaining such a perspective. This volume should serve as an essential primary reference for any person or library interested in American studies, especially American religious thought.” — W. Creighton Peden, president, Highlands Institute for American Religious Thought and Fuller E. Callaway, professor emeritus of philosophy, University System of Georgia.
