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Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Spiritual Humanism (second nomination) nominated 2007-01-19, version saved 2007-01-23 02:14

[edit] Church of Spiritual Humanism

The phrase Spiritual Humanism is a trademark of the Church of Spiritual Humanism, Inc., Pennsylvania, USA; this Church of Spiritual Humanism offers instant clergy ordination through Internet.[1][2]
According to Rev. J.S. Roach, a minister of this Church, "Spiritual Humanism, is a religious and philosophical movement that embraces the religious inclinations common to most people, yet additionally requires verifiable scientifically valid evidence for religious beliefs",[3] with as symbol the 'Solinox'.[4]
Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn has called this Church a "preacher mill" and an "outfit that seems to be little more than a business that peddles vastly overpriced documents and other novelty credentials under the banner of a zero-commandment religion", although he himself completed the free ordination process.[5]

Reverend J.S. Roach states, the movement to address "the issue that as our knowledge of the workings of nature expand, human interest in religious activities continue, even when religious beliefs are in disagreement with this new information", and it to hold central to Spiritual Humanism, "the concept that most people need and enjoy religious rituals and activities and that these are an intrinsic part of what it means to be human. While the need for religion appears to be ingrained, our fundamental religious cosmology and ethics must be based on the best manner of learning the true nature of the universe, which is the scientific method".[3]

The Church claims to have gained over 100,000 members since its inception in 2001.[6][7] The New York Times Weddings/Celebrations section announces roughly ten weddings a year performed by Spiritual Humanist clergy.[8] Amongst clergy ordained for the occasion of a wedding, were noticed the editor in chief of Scientific American magazine, John Rennie,[9] and the former editor and publisher of The Nation, Victor S. Navasky.[10]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Trademark notice
  2. ^ Internet ordination form
  3. ^ a b Universal Humanism Of Florida
  4. ^ Solinox symbol
  5. ^ Zorn, Eric (July 14, 2005). No Reverence Required to be a Real Reverend. Chicago Tribune (on its web log, by a Chicago Tribune columnist). Retrieved on January 21, 2007.
  6. ^ de Vise, Daniel (July 2, 2006). More Couples Choose to Wed Their Way. The Washington Post Company (on its web, by a Washington Post staff writer). Retrieved on January 21, 2007.
  7. ^ http://spiritualhumanism.org/countries.htm Membership
  8. ^ New York Times Archive
  9. ^ John Rennie officiates wedding as Spiritual Humanist clergy
  10. ^ Victor S. Navasky officiates wedding as Spiritual Humanist clergy