Secular Humanism

Introduction

Human secularism is a source of authority and worldview some people choose as a lens through which they attempt to understand the world, the cosmos, and for direction to live a fulfilling life.

What may come across as strange to you, provided you understand my position on Christianity to this point, is my empathy for secular humanism. This empathy exists for several reasons. First, I appreciate the plight of human secularists. It may be that if I were not a Christian I would likely be among them. I think it accurate to say that if a person chooses to remove God from his or her life, one of the landing spots is secular humanism. Secondly, I am empathetic towards secular humanism due to my recognition (though limited it may be) of the deceitfulness of the system operating in this world. There is unquestionably a coherent and executed plan in place to deflect people away from the truth and replace it with false truths.

Another reason my heart goes out to secularists is the sway of appeal secular humanism has over people. Consider the offer. Secular humanism’s ideologies provide a way out of both temporal and ultimate accountability, something that everyone desires. Humanism also seeks to remove a certain amount of restraint in this life allowing and even encouraging people to live in any fashion they choose. The primary means this is accomplished is by persuading people that no God exists. After all, if no God exists, there is no real accountability—now or later. Additionally, secular humanism appeals to the tremendous inner desire for self-will that resides within all of us (to an extent most are unaware). The inner impetus for personal autonomy and individual sovereignty without reference to a higher authority than one’s own thinking is as intoxicating as anything one can imagine.

A fourth reason for my empathy is due to the massive media and educational apparatus whose tentacles reaches deeply into the lives of every individual, family, group, and organization—particularly in the United States. This apparatus allows for the influence of deceit and the many facets of trickery that may be brought to bare. In fact, the roots of mass media and its influence delves so deeply into American culture that it is inescapable for nearly everyone—the correct alternative just no longer seems plausible to a large swath of the population. Once the deceptive narrative is entrenched, it is safe to say that without God’s help no one can extract himself.

Finally, my empathy exists because, and this must be stressed, there is a very real and understandable reaction against religion and the history of human conduct under the guise of religion. Time simply does not permit me to elaborate on the full extent of this issue—even if I could. Suffice it to say that the history of human folly and the outright disgrace of people’s conduct in the name of religion is more than adequate to produce an argument for rejecting religion in general. No doubt such reprehensible conduct has turned many away from true religion. Unfortunately, I too must confess that I have lived some years of my life after becoming a Christian when my life did not represent the Savior who I now try to point people towards.

My goal in discussing secular humanism is to attempt to explain the primary tenets of secular humanism and to point out the implications of adopting a secular humanist worldview as a source of authority for understanding life and reality and God.

Please join me as we consider the basic beliefs of secular humanism.

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