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APOLOGETICS |
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What is Secular Humanism?
by ATRI Research Staff |
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Below we present a variety of quotes
from different sources—many of them humanist—as to the definition and
philosophy of secular humanism. Each definition adds just a bit to our
understanding of this particular world view
The Baptist Pillar: "The
best definitions of contemporary humanism can be found in the Humanist
Manifesto I and II (p. 16.). ‘We find insufficient evidence for belief
in the existence of a supernatural; it is either meaningless or
irrelevant to the question of survival and fulfillment of the human
race. As non-theists, we begin with humans not God, nature not deity.’"1
Elwell Evangelical Dictionary:
[Secular Humanism is] A way of life and thought that is pursued without
reference to God or religion. 2
Sir Julian Huxley: "I use
the word ‘Humanist’ to mean someone who believes that man is just as
much a natural phenomenon as an animal or a plant; that his body, mind
and soul were not supernaturally created but are products of evolution,
and that he is not under the control or guidance of any supernatural
being or beings but has to rely on himself and his own power." (The John
Ankerberg Show, Secular Humanism, Program 1)
Secular Humanist Declaration:
"The first principle of Democratic Secular Humanism is its commitment to
free inquiry. We oppose any tyranny over the mind of man. Free inquiry
requires that we tolerate diversity of opinion, and that we respect the
rights of individuals to express their beliefs, however unpopular they
may be, without social or legal prohibition." … "We deplore the efforts
of Fundamentalists, especially in the United States, to invade the
science classrooms, requiring that Creationist theory be taught to
students and requiring that it be included in biology textbooks. This is
a serious threat, both to the academic freedom and to the integrity of
the educational process." (The John Ankerberg Show, Secular Humanism,
Program 3)
Secular Humanist Declaration:
"We find the traditional views of the existence of God either are
meaningless or have not yet been demonstrated to be true. Secular
Humanists find insufficient evidence for the claim that some divine
purpose exists for the universe."
"We reject the divinity of Jesus. We do not accept as
true the literal interpretation of the Old and New Testaments." (The
John Ankerberg Show, Secular Humanism, Program 4)
Humanist Manifesto II: "The
commitment to all humankind is the highest commitment of which we are
capable." (The John Ankerberg Show, Secular Humanism, Program 5)
Voice of Reason, "What is Secular Humanism?":
Secular humanism, then, is a philosophy and world view which centers
upon human concerns and employs rational and scientific methods to
address the wide range of issues important to us all. While secular
humanism is at odds with faith-based religious systems on many issues,
it is dedicated to the fulfillment of the individual and humankind in
general. To accomplish this end, secular humanism encourages a
commitment to a set of principles which promote the development of
tolerance and compassion and an understanding of the methods of science,
critical analysis, and philosophical reflection. (Written by Fritz
Stevens, Edward Tabash, Tom Hill, Mary Ellen Sikes and Tom Flynn.
Copyright (c) Council for Secular Humanism, used with permission.) 3
ChristianAnswers.net, "What is Secular Humanism?":
"Theologically, Secular Humanists are atheists. Humanist Paul
Kurtz, publisher of Prometheus Books and editor of Free Inquiry
magazine, says that ‘Humanism cannot in any fair sense of the word apply
to one who still believes in God as the source and creator of the
universe.’ ["Is Everyone a Humanist?" in The Humanist Alternative,
ed. Paul Kurtz (Buffalo: Prometheus Books, 1973), p. 177.] Corliss
Lamont agrees, saying that ‘Humanism contends that instead of the gods
creating the cosmos, the cosmos, in the individualized form of human
beings giving rein to their imagination, created the gods.’ [ Corliss
Lamont, The Philosophy of Humanism (New York: Frederick Ungar
Publishing, 1982), p. 145.]
"Philosophically, Secular Humanists are naturalists.
That is, they believe that nature is all that exists—the material world
is all that exists. There is no God, no spiritual dimension, no
afterlife. Carl Sagan said it best in the introduction to his Cosmos
series: ‘The universe is all that is or ever was or ever will be.’ [Carl
Sagan, Cosmos (New York: Random House, 1980), p. 4.] Roy Wood
Sellars concurs. ‘Humanism is naturalistic,’ he says, ‘and rejects the
supernaturalistic stance with its postulated Creator-God and cosmic
Ruler.’ [Roy Wood Sellars, "The Humanist Outlook," in The Humanist
Alternative, ed. Paul Kurtz (Buffalo: Prometheus, 1973), p. 135.] 4
Notes:
1 http://www.baptistpillar.com/bd0372.htm
2 D. W. Gill, Elwell
Evangelical Dictionary, at http://mb-soft.com/believe/txn/seculari.htm
3 http://www.geocities.com/voiceofreasonbr/general.htm
4 http://www.christiananswers.net/q-sum/sum-r002.html
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