Humanism in Russia<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

In former times, under the Soviet Union, Humanism was considered to be the result of socialist revolution: it would release people from social exploitation, provide guaranteed basic living conditions, the right to work and to rest, free health services for all, and so on. The ultimate form of Humanism would be that which arose in the course of the development of a perfect communist society. All earlier types of Humanism were considered insufficient, in particular the abstract form represented by Christian Humanism. Atheism was part of official ideology. It was considered to be a necessary component of a new, secular attitude to life. Nevertheless nearly 40% of people in the countryside remained believers, and the figure for the cities was 30%. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the resultant social transformation, the attitude to religion also changed. Although according to the Constitution Russia remains a secular society, many politically active people are seeking to convert religion into a new form of ideology. They speak of the need to teach religion, especially the Russian Orthodox variety, in secondary schools. Nearly 40% of the population now support the idea of teaching religion in schools as an optional course (though with the financial support of the state). Under present conditions there is a real need to

spread a new understanding of Humanism, to unite people of different political orientations on the basis of secular Humanist ideals. Among the different attempts to found Humanist organizations, to rally people against superstition and ignorance, the most successful has been the initiative by a group in Moscow University led by Prof. V.Kuvakin, which resulted in the founding of the Russian Humanist Association in 1995. It now has ten regional divisions and a membership of nearly 400.

 

The Russian Humanist Association holds regular meetings, which usually involve a presentation followed by a lively discussion. There are also special events (conferences, summer schools, public discussions), and a publishing programme. Summer schools provide education in Humanism and the opportunity to share ideas. Publications include the periodical journal Common Sense, the annual almanac Secular Union, conference proceedings, and books prepared by members. Among recently published books are Basics of Contemporary Humanism, by I.M. Borsenko, V.A. Kuvakin, and A.A. Kudishina; a book for secondary schools, Humanism and Civil Society, by G.V. Givishvily; and the Proceedings of the international symposium Science and Skepticism.

 

There have been some first attempts at teaching Humanism, in Moscow State University, in the Russian State University for the Humanities (RGGU) in Moscow, and in Colomna. The Russian Humanist Association has written to the Minister of Education to suggest the teaching of contemporary Humanism in secondary schools. There are Centres for Inquiry in both Moscow and Colomna. Russian Humanists also keep in touch with Humanist groups in Kazakhstan, the Ukraine, and Belarus. We continue to strive for a truly enlightened society.

 

Alexander Razin, Russian Humanist Association