This is a libertarian commentary on the Affirmations of Humanism published in "Free Inquiry", a humanist magazine.
Humanist: We are committed to the application of reason and science to the understanding of the universe and to the solving of human problems.
Libertarian: The application of reason and science to government is like the application of boiling water to snow. Several unreasonable and unscientific assumptions lie at the core of the common belief that powerful governments benefit mankind. Many have come to libertarian beliefs when their reason led them away from the emotional appeals of politicians.
Humanist: We deplore efforts to denigrate human intelligence, to seek to explain the world in supernatural terms, and to look outside nature for salvation.
Libertarian: Libertarians deplore the denigration of human intelligence displayed in the obvious lies and fantasies we receive from our rulers. They explain the world in political terms and ask us to look to government instead of ourselves for salvation. Governments do not exist in nature except as pecking orders and dominance struggles and that is their true nature in human society also. The abstract concept of government is completely supernatural and cannot explain the world at all.
Humanist: We believe that scientific discovery and technology can contribute to the betterment of human life.
Libertarian: Scientific discovery and technology progress most rapidly when the hope of big profits justifies the investment of time and money in research. Governments often consume the best talent and tremendous amounts of money in weapons research to develop the technologies of death and destruction. The libertarian movement has often been criticized for having too many technologists and calling for the deregulation of controversial technologies.
Humanist: We believe in an open and pluralistic society and that democracy is the best guarantee of protecting human rights from authoritarian elites and repressive majorities.
Libertarian: Libertarians are exceptional in their acceptance of social and cultural experimentation. No society is more open than one with a libertarian administration since the only legal restrictions of human behavior are against force and fraud. Throughout history authoritarian elites and repressive majorities have murdered and tortured millions of people. Ending this oppression is the main goal of libertarianism.
Humanist: We are committed to the principle of the separation of church and state.
Libertarian: The incredible diversity and prosperity of the churches in the United States and the almost total lack of bloodshed over religious questions is due to this separation. Libertarians would like to see other institutions such as agriculture, industry, business, transportation, housing, education, etc. achieve this same diversity, prosperity, and harmony by being separated from the state.
Humanist: We cultivate the arts of negotiation and compromise as a means of resolving differences and achieving mutual understanding.
Libertarian: The alternative to negotiation and compromise is authority and force, typically exercised by government. You cannot negotiate or compromise with government regulations. The struggle we see today by special interests to seize political power and force their values on the rest of us is opposite to the spirit of negotiation and compromise. This struggle stems from the excessive power we give our elected and appointed officials.
Humanist: We are concerned with securing justice and fairness in society and with eliminating discrimination and violence.
Libertarian: Securing justice and fairness and eliminating discrimination are laudable goals as long as they can be accomplished without the initiation of violence. Libertarians do not believe violent means should be used to impose one group's concept of justice and fairness on another or that the use of violence is appropriate to prevent or enforce discrimination.
Humanist: We believe in supporting the disadvantaged and the handicapped so that they will be able to help themselves.
Libertarian: Helping the disadvantaged and handicapped is also a laudable goal. Libertarians believe people should be free to pursue or not pursue this and other social goals. When the government dictates the treatment of the handicapped and other minorities the resentment people naturally feel when told what to do is misdirected at the minorities.
Humanist: We attempt to transcend divisive parochial loyalties based on race, religion, gender, nationality, creed, class, or ethnicity, and strive to work together for the good of humanity.
Libertarian: Libertarians look forward to a world free of government barriers and boundaries of all types which now separate nations, races, and religions. The elimination of laws which separate people into categories based on race, religion, gender, nationality, creed, class, or ethnicity will be a major step forward in human progress. We recognize however that many people still take pride in their heritage and find their roots to be a significant source of self esteem. These people will rightfully resist and resent any laws which compel them to abandon their heritage or identity.
Humanist: We want to protect and enhance the earth, to preserve it for future generations, and to avoid inflicting needless suffering on other species.
Libertarian: The desire to protect and enhance the earth is most evident in the developed nations where basic survival needs are not in question for most of the population. Only market forces can raise the standard of living to this level. As consumers become more sensitive to the environment and the suffering of other species the producers have no choice but to change with them.
Humanist: We believe in enjoying life here and now and in developing our creative talents to the fullest.
Libertarian: Libertarians would lift all the legal restrictions on nonviolent pleasurable activities to permit everyone to enjoy life as they saw fit. Creative talents develop best where there is the most open communication of ideas as the least restriction on their application.
Humanist: We believe in the cultivation of moral excellence.
Libertarian: Rulers through the ages have imposed their own moralities on their subject populations and not permitted the cultivation of alternatives. Libertarians believe that the government has no business dictating morality. Libertarians believe that moral excellence has long range survival and economic advantages.
Humanist: We respect the right to privacy. Mature adults should be allowed to fulfill their aspirations, to express their sexual preferences, to exercise reproductive freedom, to have access to comprehensive and informed health-care, and to die with dignity.
Libertarian: Libertarians explicitly uphold the right to privacy and sexuality among consenting adults. The libertarian party platform says people should never go to jail for any nonviolent activity connected with abortions or suicides. The most comprehensive and informed health care will result from freeing the people from laws restricting the practice of health care and empowering them to create institutions which meet real needs instead of enriching a protected elite.
Humanist: We believe in the common moral decencies: altruism, integrity, honesty, truthfulness, responsibility. Humanist ethics is amenable to critical, rational guidance. There are normative standards that we discover together. Moral principles are tested by their consequences.
Libertarian: Moral decency cannot be imposed from above, it must grow from enlightened self interest. The market encourages and rewards altruism, integrity, honesty, truthfulness, and responsibility. People discover their own standards when they do not fear authority but instead evaluate the consequences of their own behavior.
Humanist: We are deeply concerned with the moral education of our children. We want to nourish reason and compassion.
Libertarian: Concern for the moral education of children has been a major driving force against compulsory state educational systems. Most parents are deeply concerned with this and will resist with all their resources when they see their children taught what they believe is wrong. Reason and compassion grow best where all ideas are free to compete.
Humanist: We are engaged by the arts no less than by the sciences.
Libertarian: Government sponsorship has distorted both the arts and the sciences to their detriment. The angry response to overtly sexual art mostly occurs where it is tax supported. The questioning of expenditures for science is also mostly confined to government projects.
Humanist: We are citizens of the universe and are excited by discoveries still to be made in the cosmos.
Libertarian: The colonization and industrialization of space will herald a golden age on earth. Libertarians are strongly represented in space oriented and science fiction organizations. Many younger libertarians plan to be among the first space colonists.
Humanist: We are skeptical of untested claims to knowledge, and we are open to novel ideas and seek new departures in our thinking.
Libertarian: Libertarians are especially skeptical of untested claims to knowledge and wisdom by the authorities. They question the assumption that our lives must be ruled by elected and appointed officials. Nobody welcomes novel ideas more than the libertarians.
Humanist: We affirm humanism as a realistic alternative to theologies of despair and ideologies of violence and as a source of rich personal significance and genuine satisfaction in the service of others.
Libertarian: The ideology of libertarianism is generally optimistic and explicitly nonviolent. Despair is reasonable only in a world of dictators and tyrants. Only individuals free to think and act can experience personal significance and enjoy genuine service to others.