I consider myself a Secular Humanist.

I was one who 'wrestled' with the validity of religious dogma throughout much of my preadolescence and then into an early period of adult life. Confounded, I had wavered between conflicting notions of agnosticism and deism in those years.

Ultimately, I arrived at a transcending and settled conviction that religion, magical thinking or the supernatural had no place in my being.

I embraced a transforming "life stance". With this newly found clarity, I made a commitment to apply speculative-reasoning with an open-mind in a reasonable and reflective way; now willing to employ thoughtful, self-corrective concepts & principles - in the light of reason and confident understanding.

Sure, I had my experiences with self-inflictednotions of futility, and nihilistic delusions...

The fragmented ordeals revealed an enlightening evidence; a visceral awareness, of an innate impetus toward self-preservation. It revealed a consciousness of something to be derived from the instinctive notion of the "will to thrive".

I found it rational and liberating in that I did not & do not need a reason for existence; through the notion of enlightened self interest - I can actively give rational motive to life through reasoning, ethical intuition and secular dealings with others.

With a diligent "love of wisdom"; and no less a critically applied philosophy - I engage wholly in the human condition in realistic terms with an integrated worldview. This worldview was conceived and flourishes through education, experience, introspection (as a valid method of investigation), and attained empirical knowledge; realized through the continuity of pure reason.

With genuine certainty, and an approach characterized by beliefs which promote reason, ethics, justice, and morality; which is found within the personality, and its basis is the person's motive, intent or will.

I can now live out my life, in agency of critical intelligence - substantiated and strengthened by gained insights into acquired empirical knowledge, justified beliefs through inferred evidence, while actualizing & valuing empathy, compassion and reason which has me convinced that my ability to think critically and rationally about the world affords me great confidence and strength in my convictions - as the best way of actively understanding the world . .

Man is the only creature that strives to surpass himself, and yearns for the impossible. ~ Eric Hoffer

Blind faith, no matter how passionately expressed, will not suffice. Science for its part will test relentlessly every assumption about the human condition. ~ E. O. Wilson

Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear. - Thomas Jefferson