The British humaist association says:
Humanism
Humanism is the belief that we can live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs. Humanists make sense of the world using reason, experience and shared human values. We seek to make the best of the one life we have by creating meaning and purpose for ourselves. We take responsibility for our actions and work with others for the common good.
What humanists believe
Humanism is an approach to life based on humanity and reason - humanists recognise that moral values are properly founded on human nature and experience alone. Our decisions are based on the available evidence and our assessment of the outcomes of our actions, not on any dogma or sacred text.
Humanism encompasses atheism and agnosticism ‑ but is an active and ethical philosophy far greater than these negative responses to religion.
Humanists believe in individual rights and freedoms ‑ but believe that individual responsibility, social cooperation and mutual respect are just as important.
Humanists believe that people can and will continue to find solutions to the world's problems ‑ so that quality of life can be improved for everyone.
Humanists are positive ‑ gaining inspiration from our lives, art and culture, and a rich natural world.
Humanists believe that we have only one life ‑ it is our responsibility to make it a good life, and to live it to the full.
The BBC website says:
"Humanism is an approach to life based on reason and our common humanity, recognising that moral values are properly founded on human nature and experience alone."
Robert Ashby
While atheism is merely the absence of belief, humanism is a positive attitude to the world, centred on human experience, thought, and hopes.
The British Humanist Association and The International Humanist and Ethical Union use similar emblems showing a stylised human figure reaching out to achieve its full potential.
Humanists believe that human experience and rational thinking provide the only source of both knowledge and a moral code to live by.
They reject the idea of knowledge "revealed" to human beings by gods, or in special books.
"Humanism is a democratic and ethical life stance, which affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives.
"It stands for the building of a more humane society through an ethic based on human and other natural values in the spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities.
"It is not theistic, and it does not accept supernatural views of reality."
International Humanist and Ethical Union
Humanist ideas
Most humanists would agree with the ideas below:
There are no supernatural beings.
The material universe is the only thing that exists.
Science provides the only reliable source of knowledge about this universe.
We only live this life - there is no after-life, and no such thing as reincarnation.
Human beings can live ethical and fulfilling lives without religious beliefs.
Human beings derive their moral code from the lessons of history, personal experience, and thought.