Compassion’s Power

One of the most powerful aspects of Humanism is the fact that we base our morality on compassion While compassion is a universal human emotion that has the power to move people regardless of religion or creed, Not everyone uses compassion as the basis of their morality. The problem is: If your value system isn’t based on compassion; the elimination of unnecessary suffering is, by definition, not a priority for you. Any value system that accepts human suffering as a necessary evil, or worse, something to be embraced, is a system we Humanists abhor. Humanists are motivated by compassion. We seek to eliminate suffering, especially the kind that is totally avoidable. When someone is suffering because of some arbitrary rule, we believe it is the rule that must be changed. It’s no wonder that people who cling to arbitrary authority are so afraid of Humanism. Compassion is the only thing that has the power to mobilize people against injustice. And to paraphrase Robert Ingersoll: we Humanists wield our compassion like a sword.