What exactly is Humanism? We’ve probably all heard that term thrown out in conversation or on television from time to time. Most college students have probably learned a little about it in their classes. But what do humanists actually believe? What do they stand for?
“Humanism” much like the term “Christianity", is probably one of the broadest terms in our dictionary. Just like we have Orthodox Christians, Protestant Christians and Roman Catholic Christians, there are also numerous branches of Humanism. Some of those different types include Literary Humanism, Renaissance Humanism, Cultural Humanism, Modern Humanism and Secular Humanism to name a few. However, when people speak of humanism in general, they are usually speaking of Secular Humanism, which is the type of humanism we’ll explore now.
Secular Humanism is a worldview, which is similar to a pair of glasses that one views all of reality through. Humanists do not believe in the supernatural or a “higher power”. They hold to a worldview that claims that everyone needs to take responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity. Humanists are compelled to meeting human needs and answering human problems, but they rely on science and reason in order to solve human problems. They completely reject faith, authority, divine revelation and inspired texts as a means of attaining knowledge. As Kurt Vonnegut put it, “Being a Humanist means trying to behave decently without the expectation of rewards or punishment after you are dead.”
To non-Christians, Humanists appear to be very good people. And indeed, many of the things they’re doing are good. Many Humanists are school teachers, social workers, presidents of non-profit organizations. And all of them claim that their biggest goal is making this world a better place for people to live.
Susan Sackett, president of the Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix, stated, “What motivates me is compassion for my fellow humans. I don’t need the promise of another life to do this; I’m doing things to try to make this world the best it can be!”
As Christians, we also strive to make this world a better place to live. When we operate with the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us, we are going to produce good fruit. We are naturally inclined to love others and reach out to those in need. This is very similar to the compassion that Humanists have. But this is also where their compassion stops. Doing “good” without God at the center will only get you so far. Humanists are merely concerned with humans’ lives while they live here on earth. They have no care or concern about a person’s eternity. Because they don’t believe in God, they see a person’s life beginning at birth and ending forever when they die. So while Humanists have a very admirable goal of striving to better humanity, they are still empty and ultimately lost without Christ as their Lord.
There is a lot we can learn from Humanists. Doing what we can to make this world a better place to live is extremely important. And that desire, that urge, that gnawing feeling you get when you see images of poverty-stricken children flash across the screen of your television -- I believe that comes from God. He wants us to take action to help others in our world. While Jesus was on earth, He never stopped healing, feeding and reaching out to those around Him who were in need. He cared about people’s earthly needs. But He didn’t stop there. Jesus was far more interested in people’s souls. He understood that if people were going to be completely filled and satisfied, they needed more than compassion -- they needed a Savior. As C.S. Lewis puts it, “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal, it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit -- immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”
Let’s not forget that people around us need more than food, they need a Father. They need more than water, they need to hear the Word of God. And they need more than mere compassion, they need Christ.
References
Meaning and Nothingness: A Personal Journey, James A. Haught, Free Inquiry Magazine Online, August 24, 2006.
Susan Sackett, E-mail interview, August 31, 2006.
The Weight of Glory: And Other Addresses, C.S. Lewis, Harper Collins Publishers, 1949.
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