How Humanists Respond to Tragedy

How Humanists Respond to TragedyWhy Humanists Dont Go Public With Our Grief.

1) Shock & HorrorOur first response is shock and horror that something so tragic could have happened.

2) GriefWe start to enter the grief phase. This involves accepting the loss of life as tragic as it is and lots of crying and frustration.

3. Frustration

We understand that everyone grieves differently, but the outpouring of religious sentiment is difficult for us because it confuses us & interferes with our grief. It also reminds us that we are outsiders and that our expressions of grief are unwelcome.

4. ConsoleWe dont speak out because we understand grief is personal.We dont want to score political points. We just want to grieve.

5. Critical Thinking

We like to wait to find out what happened before pontificating on what we might do in the future to avoid another tragedy.Facts improve problem solving tremendously.

6. ResolveAmong the directly affected are Humanists and other non-religious individuals.They need us to be there for them as a community and to create space for their unique grieving needs within the context of the national expression of grief.

7. Wish for the FutureThat somehow we can transcend the bloodshed. And when tragedy occurs, that the non-religious among us can be embraced without feeling like we are imposing on others.

Prepared by Jennifer Hancock, Humanist

http://humanistgrief.com