The Webster’s dictionary definition of religion is “noun, any system of belief, worship, conduct etc., often involving a code of ethics and a philosophy.” Then, logically, you could say what no one else seems to want to admit: humanism is a religion.
Let’s go through the adjectives in the definition to see if they match humanism. Belief: Yes, humanism is a belief. Worship: Yup, they worship man, in particular, their own selves. Conduct: Check, they conduct themselves with little or no morals. The only law (it is frequently violated) is that you cannot violate someone else’s sphere or damage their person, conscience, or feelings. A code of ethics: Definitely, the code is you do what you think is best or what appears right to you. Philosophy: Absolutely, it’s Darwinist, and following the teachings of one or more of the following: Nietsche, John Dewey, John H. Dietrich, R. Lester Mondale, Kant, Sagan etc. Humanism even has its sacred documents: the Humanist Manifestos. Their priests and ministers are evolutionary scientists and authors. They have many organizations across the country, and are very influential on government.
This religion is the dominant religion of America, and it is dangerous.
April 10th, 2006 at 5:01 am
Are you trying to say “Nietzsche” and “Sagan”?
April 10th, 2006 at 3:43 pm
Oops, yeah I was. Hey we’re all human. right?
April 10th, 2006 at 6:02 pm
Humanism is not a religion in the traditional sense.
It is a way of looking at things and a value system of sorts.
However, as a CONCEPT it is quite separate from religion and, in fact, humanistic concepts tend to enter into certain religions … for instance we have a Humanistic synagogue here in Cincinnati and the Unitarian Church, from one point of view, is just an extremely humanistic manifestation of Christianity.
However, it is different from most religions in that it is subject to debate. There may be certain books and documents that are used as references but THEY CAN BE CHANGED AT ANY TIME. No Humanist claims to have been handed some unchangeable “holy text” from mysterious origins thousands of years ago.
April 11th, 2006 at 3:34 pm
Yes, you’re right in one way, but but my point still stands that humanism is a religion; it’s not a religion in the traditional sense, but nevertheless it still is as you said, a value system, a philosophy, and a worldview. The fact that humanism has to keep on changing is evidence that it doesn’t have the truth, because truth never changes.