THE POWER OF HUMANISM

THE POWER OF HUMANISM

Leo Igwe

Being an introductory address to NHM’s Youth for Humanism Rally -August 24 2007, Rivers State University of Science and Technology Port Harcourt, Rivers State

It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the 2007 Convention of the Nigerian Humanist Movement. This convention is organized to provide a forum for nonreligious and non-theistic people to meet and interact, to exchange thoughts and ideas, to debate and discuss, and to respond and address issues of national importance. In the past 10 years, NHM has staged events in different parts of the country – at the University of Ibadan in Oyo State(2001) , at the Mayflower School in Ogun State(2004) , at the University of Calabar in Cross River State (2005) , at the University of Benin in Edo State(2006) , at the University of Lagos , in Lagos State (2006).

So, we are greatly delighted to bring our 2007 meeting to Port Harcourt and to Rivers State – a state that has come to embody all the tensions, contrasts, contradictions, problems, prospects and promises of the Niger Delta, and of all struggling, oppressed and exploited people of the world. This convention is being held at a time of so much tension, sporadic clashes and security concerns here in Port Harcourt . NHM urges the parties involved to tow the part of dialogue, compromise and peaceful resolution of their differences.

Also I want to use this opportunity to express the solidarity of Nigerian Humanists with you the great people of Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta in your quest for a reasonable share and control of the oil wealth gotten from your land.
Nigerian Humanists stand with you in your struggle for a decent and dignified living. We stand with you in your quest for a green, clean, safe, peaceful, habitable and humane environment.

Nigerian Humanists stand with you in your struggle for sustainable development in the region. The oil resources in the Niger Delta should be a cause to develop the region not devastate it or liquidate its people. Nigerian Humanists hope that the liberating and civilizing values of humanism will take the place of violence, conflict, greed, hatred, corruption, exploitation, kidnapping, hostage taking, gangsterism and other destructive forces that plague and prevail in the region.

Dear Friends, Humanists are aware that in the course of the ongoing crisis in the Niger Delta, young people have been involved, young people have been implicated, young people have been most affected, young people have been victims.
Hence, we are devoting the first day of our convention to all youths in Rivers State , in the Niger Delta and in Nigeria as a whole. We are asking all Nigerian youths to rally together for humanism. We are urging all Nigerian students to discover the power in the humanist out look.

This is because NHM recognizes the vital role humanism can play in the quest by a people or a generation for peace, freedom, justice, equality, democracy and fairness.
Nigerian Humanists recognize the power of humanism in correcting the wrongs of the past and of the present, and in renewing our hope and confidence in a better and more prosperous future for ourselves, for our children and our children’s children.
NHM recognizes the potential of humanism in arousing the conscience and consciousness of youths and in awakening students from their dogmatic, superstitious, occultic, irrational and supernatural slumber.

Now some of you may be asking, what is this power of humanism and how does one discover it?
The power of humanism lies in humanity, not divinity. For humanists, human beings, not God, devil, angels, demons, spirits, witches and wizards are the primary point of reference. The so-called superhuman entities have no meaning, no significance or essence except the ones we human beings invest on them. Unfortunately those who peddle ideologies that sacrifice and subordinate human beings to these human crafts and configurations have continued to deceive, exploit and disempower you. Those who tell you that spiritual supernatural entities -created and classified by humans- control, intervene and direct your lives and actions have orchestrated an eclipse of your potentialities, possibilities and promises.

The power of humanism lies in nature, not super nature, in this life, not in an afterlife, in happiness in the here and now, not in the hereafter, in this world, not in the next.
Those who created the super nature, including the super natural superstructure of paradise, Heaven and Hell – the afterlife, the hereafter, the next world, and the great beyond did so out of fear and ignorance. They instituted these myths and misconceptions out of primitivity and insecurity.
Today, the purveyors of these irrational beliefs are holding you and the Nigerian society hostage. And Humanists are telling you to free yourselves. Free yourselves from these illusions. Free yourselves from these superstitions. Free yourselves from these absurdities. Free yourselves from this darkness. Free yourselves from this bondage. As Bob Marley sang so many years ago – “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery”
Beloved friends, this is our message to you today! This is our song to you today!!

Distinguished participants, the power of humanism lies in freedom and responsibility. Humanists think that all human beings are at liberty to do whatever they want to do. Human destiny is in human hands. Human beings are the architects of their own fortune and misfortune. Human beings are the masters of their lives and the captains of their ships in this sea of nature. Those who tell you that ‘Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth’ deceive and misinform you. As the Humanist Manifesto 11 rightly pointed out, “No deity will save us, we must save ourselves” So no deity will help us we must help ourselves. Salvation is self wrought and self realized not divinely bestowed on human beings by mystical and mythical beings. Those who promote the false idea that a deity(Jesus or...) saved human kind or intervenes in its history hold sway in our society. And they have continued to exploit, decieve and disempower you.
Greatest Nigerian Students, there is absolutely nothing sweet in the song “Amazing Grace” And I want to tell you that whenever you sing “Amazing Grace How sweet thou art. That wrought a wretch like me …” you profess wretchedness, you invite wretchedness into your lives-and you become wretched. This song like other faith -based lyrics meant to denigrate humanity, sacrifice and subordinate human beings to a transcendental illusion disables and impoverishes you. It is bitter, so I ask you today to spit it out so that you can discover the power of humanism.

The power of humanism lies in science not superstition, reason and not blind faith The power of humanism lies in fact not falsehood, in honesty not deceit, in love, care and compassion, not hatred and wickedness. The power of humanism lies in diligence and industry not in fasting and praying for solutions, cures and success or in expecting manna or miracles from heaven. The power of humanism lies in free inquiry not dogma, in hope not despair, in optimism not pessimism, in critical thinking, common sense, open mindedness and tolerance, not gullibility or bigotry.

Greatest Nigerian Youths, to discover the power of humanism, you must learn to question all you are told, all you are taught, all you are preached to, all that is written or revealed both religious or secular. To discover the power of humanism, you must learn to exercise your will to doubt – not just to doubt in, but also to doubt out and to doubt aloud. To discover the power of humanism you must seek evidence and challenge claims lacking evidence. Just as Socrates said, “An un-examined life is not worth living” And I want to add that an un-examined claim or belief is not worth entertaining. Right now I want you to pause for a moment and ask yourselves. ‘Are there beliefs I hold which I have not tried to critically examine? Maybe you have never tried asking yourself this question in the past; maybe you have never tried examining your beliefs. I urge you start it now and you will discover the illuminating power of humanism. Today, a lot of unexamined doctrines prevail in our schools and society. They inspire a lot of atrocious acts and incredible behaviour.

For instance, in March, some secondary school students in Gombe State in Northern Nigeria beat their teacher to death for allegedly desecrating the Koran. To the students who perpetrated this crime, a book – the Koran in this case- has more value that human life. What a shame!

Also you may have heard that eleven undergraduate students of the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, were rescued from a forest where they went to look for Rapture. They said they were tired of this sinful world, thanks to penticostalism and religious otherworldlines. Most of those who fell victims to the antics of Rev King in Lagos were youths. And add that to the number of many Nigerians youths who get killed or maimed as a result of religious or sectarian violence, cult clashes or gangsterism. , and you will start getting a clearer picture of the tragic situation in this country and the enormous need for humanism among Nigerian youths and students. But I am glad to say that NHM is here to fulfill this important need and mission. NHM is here to help free Nigerian youths and students from illusion and superstition, and lead them into truth and enlightenment.

NHM is here to help Nigerian youths discover the power of humanism.

NHM is interested in working with youths and students who can help spread this message of enlightenment by organizing humanist and free thought groups across the country. So, I ask you to get involved. I ask you to come on board the ship of reason, science and free thought

Finally, to all Nigerian youths and students, I say – the power of humanism is in you. The power of humanism beats in your hearts and pulsates in your minds – discover it, express it, exercise it, apply it, translate it into actions and programs that will liberate, emancipate, recreate and renew your lives and the society.

Thank you.

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