CAST UP!

Why discuss this matter at all?

Why should we even discuss this issue? After all, the committed secular humanist is not likely to be persuaded by the brief arguments presented in this writing. So, why make the effort? There are a number of reasons—here are seven good ones.

1. As a warning to others
The Bible repeatedly warns all of us against adopting many of the views secular humanism strongly ascribes to. And because of these warnings there are people who take the matter seriously enough to attempt to warn others. The effort is similar to placing a caution sign in front of a manhole whose cover is missing to warn others of the immediate danger as they walk past. The goal of this discussion, and the entirety of this project, is to warn others of the dangers inherent in these and other non-biblical views that point people away from Jesus Christ.

2. Because secular humanism publicly calls others to adopt their views
Secular humanists attempt to make converts in the educational classroom at all levels, in the public square, and in the mass media conglomeration. Secular humanism works tirelessly to get their message to as many persons as possible and persuade potential adherents to join them. Secular humanism has made significant inroads and wields significant influence on American society, so much so that humanists boast of the matter (italics added).

Speaking of results, the Council for Secular Humanism’s achievements in its almost three decades of existence are remarkable. Never in the nineteenth- or twentieth-century history of freethought or humanism has any American organization mustered as many readers and supporters, as many world-renowned thinkers, as large a staff, or such capable facilities in the service of rational thinking and humane ethics. As part of the international Center for Inquiry movement, the Council continues to flourish despite powerful religious and cultural forces ranged against it (Secular Humanism Defined).

3. Because secular humanists call for people to lay aside their religious beliefs
Human secularism calls not only to individuals but to groups of all sizes, entire nations, and the world at large to lay aside their religious beliefs. Consider the enormity of the following: “We urge that parochial loyalties and inflexible moral and religious ideologies be transcended” (Humanist Manifesto II). The gravity of asking people to lay aside their religious beliefs is of such magnitude that it is akin to asking people to surrender their lives. Yet this is exactly what secularists asks you and I to do.

Moreover, secular humanist consider their position as having a Unique Selling Proposition. Naturally, all positions have a concise message and selling point—without it there is no strength in public pronouncement. Nevertheless, all selling propositions must be thoroughly considered.

Secular humanism indeed possesses a “unique selling proposition.” Its full richness cannot be captured by an umbrella organization that encompasses the value neutrality of atheism and the epistemological neutrality of religious humanism. Atheism and freethought are distinct positions that deserve to be represented by organizations of their own...As secular humanism’s principal exponent and a resolute defender of its nonreligious character (Secular Humanism Defined).

Simply stated, secular humanism is selling something—a life lived without God.

4. Because secular humanism attempts to paint belief in God as pernicious to humankind
Secular humanist boldly make the claim that belief in God and all that it entails is harmful and a distraction for humanity by diverting people’s attention from what is most important (italics added).

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. Salvationism, based on mere affirmation, still appears as harmful, diverting people with false hopes of heaven hereafter. Reasonable minds look to other means for survival (Secular Humanist Manifesto II).

Indeed the driving point of secularism’s ideology is that belief in God is pernicious to people’s life and to humanity as a whole.

5. Because secular humanism belittles the natural inclination of the human heart
The natural inclination of the human heart is inclined towards religion. Every civilization and people groups have been and are by nature religiously inclined. That is not to say that all beliefs are equal or true—it is only to say that it is almost universally accurate to say there is something within the composition of human beings that causes them to seek God. If the natural inclination of the human heart is inclined towards seeking God, how is it secular humanists say it is pernicious while at the same time advocating for the natural inclination of the human heart towards sexual preferences and nearly any other expression of individual lifestyle?

6. Because all persons are destined for a day when God will judge each person
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV).

Secular humanists deny such accountability and work tirelessly to suppress this biblical truth calling it a pernicious belief. Secularists call people away from heeding biblical declarations and advocate people free themselves from the bondage and burden of God. In the end, human secularists advocate for people to adopt viewpoints that stand in direct opposition to the Scriptures.

7. Because God offers the free gift of eternal life to all who believe
God provides the solution to mankind’s greatest problem: the forgiveness of personal sins. God then grants the gift of everlasting life through the substitutionary death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The testimony of Jesus Christ is this:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16-18 KJV).

Secular humanists deny this biblical declaration and strongly argue the position that no God exists, that no Savior exists, and that there is no final human accountability. I repeat the following for emphasis.

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. Salvationism, based on mere affirmation, still appears as harmful, diverting people with false hopes of heaven hereafter. Reasonable minds look to other means for survival (Humanist Manifesto II).

Let’s continue on to discuss why secular humanism appeals to people.