Secular Humanism and Christianity

Secular humanism/Christianity

Secular Humanism and Christianity

Secular humanism, a worldview that celebrates man's capacity for rationality, suggests that the scientific disciplines explain the origin of the universe and life on Earth. Humanists embrace the scientific method and critical thought as tools used to describe the beginnings of humanity (Kurtz, 2002). In this worldview, man's sense of identity is drawn from his surroundings. This includes the family, the local community and society as a whole. Humanists believe that identity is realized once one accepts and embraces one's place in the world. For the secular humanist, the issue of identity is closely tied to man's ultimate purpose. In short, it is the realization of one's personal potential and the use of that potential to better one's surroundings. Under humanism, morality is not so easily divided into a battle between the forces of good and evil.

As with the issue of origin, humanists consider ethical judgments using logical processes. For example, if a man assaults another for no apparent reason, the humanist might inquire as to the psychological state of the aggressor rather than outrightly denouncing him as evil (Perlman, 2006). In keeping with the above discussion, humanism's take on destiny is that it is self-created. Humanism does not recognize man's destiny, or fate, as preordained and set in proverbial stone by a lofty higher power. The worldview encourages man to build himself, and the world that surrounds him, using the tools at his disposal: logic, ingenuity and compassion. Destiny is relative in that it is fulfilled once one's work is complete. The idea of an afterlife or reincarnation is not recognized by secular humanism.

Part II

For Christians, the origin of the universe and life on Earth can be attributed to the creative grace of their God. Though many devout Christians recognize the significance of science in determining the age of the universe and the Earth, the role of divinity in setting creation in motion is never undermined. Christians consider that which is unknowable or unexplainable a testament to God's mystery, while humanists treat it as an opportunity for further scientific consideration. Christian identity is tied strongly to the religion's core system of beliefs. A Christian may use the words of the Bible, the actions of their fellow Christians or mainstream Christian ideals as a basis for these beliefs. However, a Christian is just as likely as a humanist to draw their identity from their family, community or society.