There are lots of books out there designed to explain various religions to children, but what about non-religious, non-theistic belief systems? Is there anything that can help children better understand what is believed by neighbors, friends, and relatives who don’t accept religion? There isn’t much, unfortunately, and thus many children continue to accept half-truths and myths.
Title: Humanism, What's That? A Book for Curious Kids Author: Helen Bennett Publisher: Prometheus Books ISBN: 1591023874
Pro: • Covers a lot of ground in a manner and style that should help children understand humanism
Con: • None
Description: • Explanations about humanism and humanist beliefs for young children • Includes poetry, questions, and various activities to help teach about humanism
Book Review
Humanists in particular have trouble with the persistence of myths because so many religious conservatives treat secular humanists as a primary enemy in society. Humanists are regarded as pawns or allies of Satan, responsible for many if not most of the social problems in society today. They are thought of as incapable of being moral, upstanding citizens or of being honest.
Clearly, there is a public relations problem here and reaching children might be one way for rectifying the situation. Helen Bennett’s book Humanism, What's That? A Book for Curious Kids is designed to explain humanism and humanist beliefs in an informal, question-and-answer format. The context is a science teacher, Mrs. Green, who has to inform her class that a popular student has been injured and has been taken to the hospital.
Some want to conduct a group prayer, but Mrs. Green tells them that while personal and private prayer is OK, she can’t set aside class time for an official group prayer. Not everyone understands because they don’t understand how anyone can not believe in God and want to pray with the group â€" and this leads to a longer discussion outside of class about the religion, nature, theism, and more. The children ask direct, pointed questions (some of which are obviously based upon the many myths spread about humanism and atheism) which Mrs. Green answers in a forthright, understandable manner.
Mrs. Green presents humanism as if it were only an atheistic philosophy, rather than as a non-religious philosophy which tends to be mostly comprised of atheists but which is accepted and followed by some theists as well. I think that this is a mistake not only because it’s incorrect, but also because emphasizing that being a humanist doesn’t necessarily require rejecting theism may encourage more people to serious consider humanism for themselves.
Humanism is best defined by what humanists affirm rather than what they reject, and while the affirmations exclude many traditional theistic ideas, they don’t force someone to adopt atheism. Fortunately, the book focuses primarily on affirmations of humanism by emphasizing the essential worth an dignity of all people, the importance of optimism, and the lives of humanist philosophers who have helped advance the causes of reason, tolerance, and skepticism.
Humanism, What's That? A Book for Curious Kids, by Helen Bennett
Who is the audience for this book? That’s difficult to say. Humanist and atheist parents would certainly benefit from having it because it presents basic humanist principles at a level younger children can comprehend â€" and it may even help them explain themselves to their friends. Religious parents who want their own children to be familiar with a variety of beliefs may also benefit from this.
Perhaps the biggest audience, though, is libraries â€" both community libraries and school libraries. Most religious parents aren’t likely to buy this book for their kids, so those who know the least about humanism are never going to be exposed to it. They are likely the ones who would most benefit from it, however. If the book is in libraries, at least there is a chance that some kids will find it.
It might be a good idea to find out if your local libraries have it, and if not, what their policies are regarding donated books. You may have to donate a certain amount, for example, or submit proposed donations to someone for approval. Getting the book into a school library may be more difficult, but is probably at least as worthwhile.
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