Friday is Free-Thought Day! [crickets] er. Humanism stuff

[KilgoreTrout]

Mods - please keep this in the lounge. I find SMP tiresome.

So the local chapter of the humanist society has declared Friday to be Free Thought Day in our fair city of Worcester. It's silly (just read the comments in that "news" story) but it got me thinking (heh) about humanism and humanist groups.

I see much of value in the perspective offered by humanism, but isn't it a contradiction for humanists to align their thoughts and beliefs into a codified system? In doing so, aren't organizations like the AHA treading a fine line between rhetoric and dogma?

I actually agree with humanist positions on many issues, but I was surprised to see them codified at the AHA site. That also seemed silly. Thoughts?