Many people raised in a formal religious atmosphere find themselves unable to accept the creeds and rituals of their inherited faith, particularly those with any knowledge of science and the scientific method. The idea of resurrection is so contrary to their experience that is it is simply unacceptable. Gradually they come to the conclusion that a "God," usually omniscient and all powerful, is an anachronism and irrelevant. If they become associated with other world great religions they soon realize that all religions have much in common, and that they are all man made. Most attempt to carry the message that they were inspired by God or created by God. Yet none can prove their assertions. Ultimately many people, and I am among them, find that the idea of a God who responds to prayers and plays a role in the conduct of this universe is incomprehensible and unacceptable. In fact, the idea of a God is not at all necessary, and man himself can devise codes of behavior, of ethics and values, that can offer help and be effective in their daily lives. The secular approach is pragmatic and can be summed up in the Humanist Creed. This is all that is necessary for man to live with man. Furthermore, formal religions today are the cause of conflict all over the world and are more divisive than unifying! Man can throw off the cloak of formal religions and be free to believe as he wishes and as logic dictates. 

Homer Smith in his book "Man and His Gods" lists over 4000 man made religions, all created to fill the innate need of man to make sense of the world in which he lives. Science offers Evolution over eons of time and this should suffice to explain the physical world we live in. We are simply the most highly evolved of all of nature's species, and endowed with a phenomenal brain and a conscience. We have found through time that only one thing enables man to live with man, albeit imperfectly, and that is a government of law and order! Today we need it on the international level. 

Herewith is a secular creed for children that should provide all the sage advice for a child's upbringing without the need for a mystical God or omnipotent power. This was inspired by reading the humanist creed for children.

Charles Edward Jacobson, Jr. M.D.