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Humanist Manifesto II, written in 1973 byhumanistsPaul Kurtz andEdwin H. Wilson, was an update tothe previousHumanist Manifesto published in 1933, and the second entry in theHumanist Manifesto series. It begins with a statement that the excesses ofNational Socialism andworld war had made the first Manifesto seem too optimistic, and indicated a more hardheaded and realistic approach in its seventeen-point statement, which was much longer and more elaborate than the previous version. Nevertheless, much of the optimism of the first remained in its expressed hope that war and poverty would be eliminated.
In addition to its absolute rejection oftheism,deism, and belief in credible proof of anyafterlife, various political stances were supported, such as opposition toracism andweapons of mass destruction; support ofhuman rights; a proposition of aninternational court; and the rights to unrestrictedcontraception,abortion,antibiotics,divorce, anddeath with dignity (e.g.,euthanasia andsuicide).
Initially published with a small number of signatures, the document was circulated and gained thousands more; theAmerican Humanist Association's website encourages visitors to add their own name. A provision at the end of the Manifesto—stating that the signators do "not necessarily endorse every detail" of the document, but only its broad vision—likely helped many overcome reservations about attaching their name.
One of the oft-quoted lines that comes from the Manifesto is, "No deity will save us; we must save ourselves."
TheHumanist Manifesto II first appeared inThe Humanist's September/October 1973 edition, when Paul Kurtz and Edwin H. Wilson wereeditor andeditor emeritus, respectively.
The 120 original signatories to the manifesto included the following:[1]
