Wikipedia defines political correctness as language or measures meant to “avoid offense.” But when avoiding offense becomes absolute, it paralyzes honest discourse.
Humanism has always promised something bold: a vision of life grounded in reason, compassion, and the pursuit of human flourishing. Yet too often today, that promise is hobbled—held back by political correctness, religious dogmatism, and the twin distortions of far-right and far-left extremism. The question is urgent: are these forces silencing humanism’s potential to act as a true catalyst for positive change?
A recent encounter illustrates this dilemma. Not long ago, I was ready to hire a volunteer to help with publishing this magazine. She began with enthusiasm but soon backed away after conversations with other humanists. Her parting words were sobering:
“When humanism turns into a religion and actively pushes an agenda that limits the rights of people to pray, wear clothing of their choice, defund schools … it’s just not different enough from a hate group or a religion for me.”
Her reaction highlights a delicate balance. If humanists are perceived as rigid, contemptuous, or coercive, our message risks being mistaken for another form of dogmatism. At the same time, if we remain silent for fear of offending, we surrender the very principles that make humanism a powerful force for good.
It is true that no one should be ridiculed for their personal beliefs, nor pressured to abandon cherished traditions. But sharing our values and principles openly, inviting others to consider them—that is not coercion. It is dialogue. It is hope.
The Amsterdam Declaration 2022, also known as the Declaration of Modern Humanism, is a statement of the fundamental principles of modern Humanism. It offers a compass:
“…we seek neither to avoid scrutiny nor to impose our view on all humanity. On the contrary, we are committed to the unfettered expression and exchange of ideas and seek to cooperate with people of different beliefs who share our values, all in the cause of building a better world.”
This is precisely the spirit humanists should embody. It acknowledges that our strength lies not in dogma but in principles—reasoned, universal guidelines for ethical life.
Religions tend to promote values—often emotionally charged and rigid—over reasoned principles. That difference matters.
- Values are personal and subjective, shaped by culture, upbringing, or experience. They evolve, vary, and often conflict.
- Principles, by contrast, are enduring. They are not about preference but about what is right, rooted in philosophy, moral reasoning, and evidence.
The Religious Advantage—and Why Silence Hurts Us
The world’s dominant religions did not spread by remaining silent. Christianity, for example, has evangelism at its core—the call to “make disciples of all nations.” Islam, similarly, has da’wah, the invitation to join the ummah, the community of believers.
Both traditions built vast infrastructures—churches, mosques, schools, hospitals, charities—all designed not merely to serve communities but to expand influence. Both continue to proselytize with immense organization and resources.
And neither hesitates to criticize rivals. Christianity has condemned “pagans,” atheists, and Muslims. Islam has condemned unbelievers and apostates. Both traditions routinely challenge humanism and secularism.
So why should humanists muzzle themselves? Why should we shrink from promoting reason and compassion when these very principles can liberate people from ignorance and cruelty? If religions can speak boldly, humanists should be no less courageous.
Unfortunately, political correctness has placed many humanists on the defensive. Its origins in the 1980s emphasized kindness, inclusivity, and protection of marginalized groups—worthy goals. But its overextension now risks stifling free thought.
Wikipedia defines political correctness as language or measures meant to “avoid offense.” But when avoiding offense becomes absolute, it paralyzes honest discourse. It leads to groupthink, as Orwell warned in 1984. It creates climates like those in authoritarian societies where everyone is forced to “think alike.”
Social justice must never mean silencing the examination of harmful ideas. Respectful disagreement is not hatred. Pointing out flaws in religious or political systems is not bigotry. If we lose the courage to say that harmful practices are harmful, we abandon reason itself.
Humanism also faces intimidation from both extremes of the political spectrum:
- The Far Right, with its religious fundamentalism, worship of guns, libertarian capitalism, and authoritarian nationalism, directly undermines humanist commitments to equality, compassion, and rational governance.
- The Far Left, with its rigid ideological purity, extreme identity politics, and tendency to impose new forms of discrimination in the name of equality, undermines humanism’s commitment to reason, fairness, and open debate.
If humanists are intimidated into silence, these extremes will dominate unchecked. Our responsibility is to resist both—with reason, with courage, and with unwavering commitment to human dignity.
There are reasons for optimism. Atheism and non-belief are on the rise. In Canada, non-believers have grown from about 5% fifty years ago to between 30–50% today. This shift owes much to education—but also to the tireless work of humanists, atheists, and freethinkers who have written letters, debated publicly, authored books, and simply shared their worldview.
Of course, criticism of religion will offend some. But offense is not the same as harm. We can mitigate perceived slights by treating individuals with respect, directing critique at systems rather than persons, and fostering conversations that invite reflection rather than humiliation.
The most fertile ground lies with younger generations and those not yet fully immersed in religious dogma. By planting seeds of curiosity, reason, and compassion, humanists can help steer future minds toward freer, fairer, more humane ways of living.
Reclaiming the Humanist Voice
The restraints on humanism are real—political correctness, religious dogmatism, and ideological extremism. But the danger lies not in the existence of these forces, but in our failure to confront them.
Humanism must reclaim its voice. Silence is complicity. When injustice, ignorance, and cruelty go unchallenged, they thrive.
The Amsterdam Declaration calls us to “the unfettered expression and exchange of ideas.” Let us honor that call. Let us speak openly, compassionately, and courageously. Let us remind the world that humanism is not a timid philosophy of polite silence, but a vibrant movement that insists reason and compassion can build a better world. 