COHERENCE

New Humanists hold that there can be no real social change without a corresponding personal change. And we also feel that by helping others, we help ourselves. And so for us, the separation between the personal and the social (or the internal and external) is not so distinct.

We believe in the possibility of social change, that we can do more than just attend to our own lives. We believe that the way to overcome suffering is to go beyond egoism and turn towards others. We don't believe in "sacrificing" our lives for the good of some external cause.

We work for change at both levels simultaneously, always trying to make our lives more coherent.

> Personal coherence is experienced when you think, feel and act in the same direction.
> Social coherence is experienced when you treat others as you would have them treat you.

If you think this is naïve, then the HM is probably not for you. If however you recognize something of deep value in being coherent, then welcome!