FYI: The letters OCP and CSH on this site refer to Ordained Clergy Person and Church of Spiritual Humanism.
I am an OCP-CSH. Visit the
Church of Spiritual Humanism site for more detailed and official information about spiritual humanism. What is written on this site is my interpretation of spiritual humanism and is based on my beliefs and practices. Also visit the
Spiritual Humanism Forums to learn more and interact with other OCP-CSH.
Throughout the history humans have used religion and religious traditions to explain the unexplainable and to celebrate various rites. Religion is deeply ingrained in our lives, we see it everywhere and in everything. Religion influences people's thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and actions. I feel that it is important for people to have traditions and celebrations as these are ties that we have to our humanity. It is important to celebrate rites of passage (births, deaths, coming of age, marriage, seasonal changes, etc). These traditions and rites can definitely help strengthen the bond between individuals and families. The most important aspect of spiritual humanism to me is the encouragement of critical, scientific thinking. We should base our beliefs on reason and logic, not on blind faith and unquestioning obedience. The support and guidance that religion has offered its followers is very important and useful but is even more powerful when based upon logic and reasonable understanding. Spiritual humanism is very open minded in what its followers practice; I doubt any two spiritual humanists will have the exact same practices or beliefs as well I feel it should be. Some of the practices that are promoted by spiritual humanism include meditation, learned optimism, scientific method of thinking, continual improvement, growth and celebrations of solstices and the equinoxes.These are all very important practices and can lead to unlimited growth of the human spirit and understanding. It is well known that meditation is a great stress reducer and relaxation technique but it can also lead to insights within oneself. Learned optimism is simply looking at the positive and this has been shown to have a great impact on stress levels as well as improving one's mental/emotional/physical/spiritual health. Scientific method of thinking is critical thinking...asking the"why" and "how" of things instead of just accepting what someone says is right. It is important to think for oneself, to question everything...this is how we learn. Knowledge is very powerful and enlightening. Continual improvement and growth are important for just what it says. All beings (human, animal, plant, etc) have the potential to improve their situation no matter what it is. There is ALWAYS room for improvement and growth. No one wants to be stuck in rut or stick with the same old negative habits and it is through the use of the practices of spiritual humanism that we can overcome these obstacles (also called teachers) to fulfill our potential. We can grow and improve on all levels of being :physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. There is no limit! Celebrations of the solstices and equinoxes are centuries old traditions of noting the passage of the seasons. These celebrations are times to stop and be thankful for the season that passed and all that happened in it and to look forward to the new season and make plans for the future. Basically it can be taken as a time to look back, bless the past and release it and go forward on your path of growth and improvement. These celebrations can be as ceremonial or simple as you like...it should be personal and individual. You can celebrate solo or with friends and family. These celebrations are a great way to reconnect with the universe, earth and strengthen familial bonds.
As an OCP-CSH, I am able to perform services similar to those offered by other religious clergy. My ordination
authorizes me to perform marriage, baby naming, funeral, hand fasting, commitment, affirmation of love, invocations, renewal of marriage, and holiday ceremonies. These ceremonies are done with a focus on the spirituality of the individuals involved and I do not call on any dieties or gods of any kind. I do not do religious ceremonies of any kind. I do NOT perform the following ceremonies: exorcism,
circumcision and animal sacrifice. Not only are they prohibited by the CSH, I just refuse to take part in anything of that nature.