Key Traits of a Spiritual Humanist and Manifesto

A spiritual humanist is someone who seeks meaning, connection, and purpose in life through a non-religious, yet deeply reflective and ethical worldview. They value human reason, compassion, creativity, and personal growth, while also appreciating the mystery and wonder of existence—without relying on a belief in a personal god or traditional religious dogma.

Key Traits of a Spiritual Humanist:

• Seeks awe and transcendence in nature, art, relationships, or inner experience

• Values science and reason, but doesn’t deny the emotional or mystical aspects of life

• Lives by ethical principles like empathy, kindness, and justice

• Feels connected to something larger—whether that’s the universe, humanity, or the web of life

• Draws inspiration from philosophy, mythology, poetry, and world traditions rather than a single sacred text

In short:

A spiritual humanist says, “I may not believe in a god, but I believe in meaning, beauty, and living a life of integrity and wonder.”

Quotes from Spiritual Humanist Thinkers

Carl Sagan (astronomer, author)

“Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality.”

Albert Einstein

“The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science.”

Joseph Campbell

“God is a metaphor for a mystery that absolutely transcends all human categories of thought.”

Kurt Vonnegut

“I am a humanist, which means, in part, that I have tried to behave decently without expectations of rewards or punishments after I’m dead.”

Rebecca Goldstein (philosopher and novelist)

“Humanism is not just a faith in humanity, but a faith in our capacity for transcendence through reason, empathy, and imagination.”

Examples in Popular Culture

• Carl Sagan’s Cosmos – Blends science, awe, and ethics beautifully

• Richard Linklater’s Waking Life – Philosophical animation exploring consciousness and meaning

• Terrence Malick films (The Tree of Life, A Hidden Life) – Lyrical, spiritual, and non-dogmatic

• Mary Oliver’s poetry – Deeply spiritual, rooted in nature, wonder, and solitude

A spiritual humanist manifesto:

Live with wonder. See the sacred in sunsets, silence, and the smile of a stranger. Seek truth through reason, but never forget the wisdom of the heart. Be kind—not because of rules, but because compassion feels right. Create beauty, pursue meaning, and stay curious. Find awe in nature, music, and the cosmos. Stand for justice. Laugh often. Grieve fully. Love deeply. You are part of something vast—not supernatural, but no less profound. This life is your miracle. Make it count, and leave the world gentler than you found it.

COPYRIGHT 2007-2025 Patti Friday b.1959.