Humanists of Washington

Humanist Values

Needless to say, the determined black feline became the sixth member of our cat family when he came back the next day. We named him Sherlock.

Our animal companions add a unique richness and awareness as they travel with us through our journey in life. Their little cups of contentment are so easily filled. In return, they provide companionship, affection, grace, beauty, laughter, innocence and a feeling of connectedness. We realize we are far more like our animal friends than we are different. We perceive the world through the same types of physical mechanisms and are equally subject to many of the same moods, joys, ills and suffering.

I've observed that freethinkers are about twice as likely to love cats as are people in general. We freethinkers form our own opinions about religion and philosophy independent of tradition or established belief. Our affinity for cats, I believe, is because they, too, are independent-minded and refuse to be "owned." They are also affectionate, soft and gentle. Only they can bestow on us that ultimate calming and delightful thing we call purring. Still, they do so on their terms.

Through our experiences with our pets, we can come to see a larger picture. We can have empathy for all the world's sentient beings. We can realize they have as much right to live out their natural lives on the Earth as do we.

Humanists like me are naturalistic, rational and scientific, with a deep concern for the environment. We are non-theists who believe in self-responsibility, and that our one and only life is in the here and now. We believe science should be used for the benefit of humankind and our fellow creatures. As we apply these principles to everyday decision-making, our philosophy provides a foundation for ethical conduct and compassion without the need of salvation, belief in the hereafter or supernatural guidance.

There is much we can do to end the suffering of animals. First and foremost, we can have all our companion animals spayed or neutered. We can also choose to adopt a vegetarian diet, acknowledging that most animals bred for human use and consumption experience miserable, pain-filled and unnatural "lives."

Tens of thousands of companion animals are euthanized every year because of overpopulation. They are not responsible for this horrendous situation. We have domesticated them. On our pets' behalf, we can volunteer at the nearest animal shelter, where we will see our own pets in the eyes of unwanted animals and where we will learn how they suffer under the heel of our indifference.

In the eyes of the great silverback gorillas and other apes, we can see ourselves. These magnificent creatures belie description, inspiring nothing short of awe. I fail to see why I have more right to exist than they do. Observing them and realizing that they and their habitat are disappearing truly breaks my heart. Without habitat, extinction is a certainty. If there are such things as crimes against the universe, surely this is the greatest of them all.

Sherlock's name soon evolved to Bubba. (With his hysterical and raucous personality, it was unavoidable.) He quickly grew sleek, bright-eyed and endlessly entertaining.

Then about six years ago, he disappeared. I shall never forget the worry and dread. By the second day, I couldn't work or eat. By the third day, I was a basket case. I could think of nothing worse than having him just disappear and never know what happened. We posted signs. We knocked on doors and asked neighbors to check crawl spaces and outbuildings. We roamed the neighborhood, calling his name.

It was about four days later that he sauntered back, totally normal and nonchalant. "Me?" he said. "Where have I been? I don't know what you're talking about. Feed me."

We forgave him instantly.

Bubba adds so much to our lives and we wouldn't have missed him for the world.