Humanism, Relativism, and Pluralism

 Humanism Webster defines humanism as “a philosophy that rejects supernaturalism, regards man as a natural object, and asserts the essential dignity of man and his capacity to achieve self-realization through rationalism and scientific method”  Relativism The belief that truth is relative and varies with the situation and who is interpreting the situation  Pluralism The acceptance of all religious paths as equally valid

 Humanism is a clever name for this religion / philosophy  Humanism sounds like and references many good words Human Humane Humanity  These are NOT what humanism is about!  Humanism is about unbelief, atheism, evolution, Marxism, and advancing these ideas to the entire world as soon as possible

 The best description that I have heard of humanism is “atheism with a new name”  The core of humanism is unbelief  Humanistic ideas can be traced back to some 6 th century BC Greek philosophers  Most of the ideas of modern humanism began in Europe (notably Italy) during the Renaissance in the 15 th century

 The essential tenants of modern humanism are laid out in the Humanist Manifestos “The Humanist Manifesto I” (1933) “The Humanist Manifesto II” (1973) “The Humanist Manifesto III” (2003)  My calling humanism “atheism” is not slander or misrepresentation  Make no mistake, humanism is a religion

 Humanism is a religion (from the preamble of the Humanist Manifesto I) “Today man's larger understanding of the universe, his scientific achievements, and deeper appreciation of brotherhood, have created a situation which requires a new statement of the means and purposes of religion…any religion that can hope to be a synthesizing and dynamic force for today must be shaped for the needs of this age. To establish such a religion is a major necessity of the present. It is a responsibility which rests upon this generation. We therefore affirm the following:”

 From The Humanist Manifesto I “Religious humanists regard the universe as self- existing and not created” “Humanism believes that man is a part of nature and that he has emerged as a result of a continuous process.” “Humanism asserts that the nature of the universe depicted by modern science makes unacceptable any supernatural or cosmic guarantees of human values. “ “We are convinced that the time has passed for theism, deism, modernism, and the several varieties of ‘new thought’.”

 From The Humanist Manifesto II “As in 1933, humanists still believe that traditional theism, especially faith in the prayer-hearing God, assumed to live and care for persons, to hear and understand their prayers, and to be able to do something about them, is an unproved and outmoded faith.” “False "theologies of hope" and messianic ideologies, substituting new dogmas for old, cannot cope with existing world realities.” “We find insufficient evidence for belief in the existence of a supernatural…” “As nontheists, we begin with humans not God, nature not deity.” “While there is much that we do not know, humans are responsible for what we are or will become. No deity will save us; we must save ourselves.”  Consider Ezekiel 22:1-19

 From The Humanist Manifesto II “Modern science discredits such historic concepts as the "ghost in the machine" and the "separable soul." Rather, science affirms that the human species is an emergence from natural evolutionary forces. As far as we know, the total personality is a function of the biological organism transacting in a social and cultural context.”  From the Humanist Manifesto III “Humans are an integral part of nature, the result of unguided evolutionary change.”

 Atheism was extremely rare, almost unheard of until the late 1700’s  The first scientific writings that set forth evolution were written in the mid to late 1700’s  The theory of evolution was quickly embraced by those who were unbelievers but who needed to explain life without God

 Tolerant of everything but theism!  From The Humanist Manifesto I “Humanism asserts that the nature of the universe depicted by modern science makes unacceptable any supernatural or cosmic guarantees of human values.”  From The Humanist Manifesto II “We affirm that moral values derive their source from human experience. Ethics is autonomous and situational needing no theological or ideological sanction.”  From the Humanist Manifesto III “Ethical values are derived from human need and interest as tested by experience”

 From II “In the area of sexuality, we believe that intolerant attitudes, often cultivated by orthodox religions and puritanical cultures, unduly repress sexual conduct. The right to birth control, abortion, and divorce should be recognized.” “The many varieties of sexual exploration should not in themselves be considered ‘evil.’” “…a civilized society should be a tolerant one.” “Moral education for children and adults is an important way of developing awareness and sexual maturity.” [Civil liberty] also includes a recognition of an individual's right to die with dignity, euthanasia, and the right to suicide.

 From The Humanist Manifesto I “Religious Humanism considers the complete realization of human personality to be the end of man's life and seeks its development and fulfillment in the here and now.”  From The Humanist Manifesto II “We believe in maximum individual autonomy consonant with social responsibility.” “There is no credible evidence that life survives the death of the body”  From The Humanist Manifesto III “Life's fulfillment emerges from individual participation in the service of humane ideals.”

 From The Humanist Manifesto I “Religious humanism maintains that all associations and institutions exist for the fulfillment of human life. The intelligent evaluation, transformation, control, and direction of such associations and institutions with a view to the enhancement of human life is the purpose and program of humanism. Certainly religious institutions, their ritualistic forms, ecclesiastical methods, and communal activities must be reconstituted as rapidly as experience allows, in order to function effectively in the modern world.” (emphasis mine, edp)

 In other words, humanism wants to infiltrate and change all religious institutions to be more humanist  Do not be deceived, YOU and I have been affected by humanism  Humanism’s tentacles have reached to practically every facet of American society Entertainment Government Education (higher and lower!!!) Religion

 From II “Free thought, atheism, agnosticism, skepticism, deism, rationalism, ethical culture, and liberal religion all claim to be heir to the humanist tradition. Humanism traces its roots from ancient China, classical Greece and Rome, through the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, to the scientific revolution of the modern world.”

 Many humanists will fall into the category described in Romans 1:18-32; 2 Tim. 3:1- 9; and 2 Thes. 2:9-12  Do not judge, sow the seed!  Here are some approaches to the plausibility of God Cosmological proof Teleological proof (design demands designer) Moral proof Evidence for the inspiration of the Bible

 More important to us is to work to convert the deceived humanist  How do we deal with one who does not know how much humanism has influenced him? Educate them on the origins of the tolerant, permissive attitude of our society More on this after the discussion of relativism