ISLAMABAD Jan 28: The capitalism has damaged the human and ethical values in the world due to which humanity is facing many problems, conflicts and confusions.

This was stated by the president of International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), Levi Fragel, here on Tuesday at a seminar on “Humanism, Rationality and Values” held here at SDPI.

Socialism is a system, which strengthens the human values and human dignity while the capitalism is based on material interests, where exists no human values, he said.

About terrorism and humanism, he said it was not correct to say that the growth of terrorism was due to conflicts between religions. “It must be admitted that terrorism sometimes can be caused by cultural differences.”

Levi Fragell said it was not fair to point at religions as a reason for any kind of misbehaviour and violent conduct connected to social tensions. This is partly because some people are creating cultural discrimination and hatred between ethnic groups because they in a Marxist influenced tradition want to see all social conflicts as part of a struggle between the rich and the poor, he added.

He said: “The religious intolerance loses its dangerous power only where secularism develops.” “We must be aware that even if there is a correlation between economic growth and secularism, it is not automatic or self-evident.”

He said the challenges the world humanist movement in this threatening situation was facing was clarifying the roots of the evil. He said humanism was a life stance with the aim of maximum possible fulfilment through the cultivation of ethical and creative living. It also offers ethical and rational means of addressing the challenges of present era.

About racism, he said it was a menace, which was causing hell for the people preaching humanism. “It is decreasing the human values and rationality among people round the globe.

He called upon the participants of the seminar to join hands to struggle for an open society, where they with energy and enthusiasm could swear and pray and did as per their own wishes.

He termed human dignity, equality, sacrifices and determination as four fundamental values of humanism. These values, once adopted in true letter and spirit could help remove all evils from the society, he added.

He said 48 declarations of United Nations regarding the human rights had stressed on these four fundamental values of humanism.

About determination, he said the self-determination was part of life and it was a value, which could help eradicate various evils. “Every person has a right to choose his lifestyle.”

Of culture, he said it was also a part of human values and it indicated the morality of human beings and also helped others know about a person. He said cultural values, if they were strong, helped the humanity in a way to lead it towards peace and tolerance.

To a question about the working style of IHEU, he said it was an organisation working to strengthen the humanism and campaigns for humanist issues.

To another question about the basic values of radical humanism, Levi Fragell said these values were freedom, rationalism and self sustained morality. These values, he said, constituted the pillars of progress and were derived from the physical well being as well as an unhindered development of mental potential in various spheres. The radical humanism in social life recognises the dignity of every individual and insists on equality of life, he added.