A.By nature, all men are religious by God’s own design.
1.Religion is correctly defined by the Online Etymology Dictionary as "a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.”
2.God created all men with a religious instinct so "that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27).This instinct does not always result in correct religion, but it is present in every man, woman, and child.
B.Sometimes men hold religious beliefs without even recognizing that they are religious.Such is the case with the religion of humanism.
1.There are very few people who organize together and call themselves humanists.In fact, there are very few people who even know what humanism is.
2.Nevertheless, there are untold millions of people who are deeply affected by the philosophy of humanism so that nearly everything they believe and do is directed by this godless religion.
3.Therefore, let us begin a study of this invisible religion among us so that we will understand what humanism is, what it has done to our culture, and how it is spread among us.
II.THE RELIGION OF HUMANISM
A.Humanism is a philosophy that embraces human reason and experience as the only guides for human life.
1.Humanists reject the concepts of deities, spirits, and life after death.
2.The American Humanist Association (AHA) defines humanism as "a progressive philosophy of life that, without theism and other supernatural beliefs, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.” (Italics added to emphasize that humanism is a form of atheism.)
B.This philosophy is not always explicitly called humanism, but it can be identified by its principles.
1.The Institute for Humanist Studies (IHS) states, "Whether or not they use the term humanism, tens of millions of Americans and hundreds of millions of people around the world agree with the humanist philosophy of living a happy and productive life based on reason and compassion.”
2.Whenever the tenets of human reason and experience are exalted above divine revelation or any other rationale, the philosophy of humanism is invoked.
C.The best explanations of humanism are found in the words of humanists themselves via the AHA, the IHS, and their manifestos on humanism.They correctly identify humanism as a religion.
1.The first manifesto (A Humanist Manifesto or HMI) was published in 1933, the second (Humanist Manifesto II or HMII) was published in 1973, and the latest (Humanist Manifesto III or HMIII) was published in 2003.Each edition was signed by multiple Nobel Laureates and other notable philosophers, authors, professors, etc.
2.Notice a few points from these manifestos regarding humanism as a religion.
a.HMI is very clear that the intention of the humanists was to form a new religion.It states, "To establish such a religion is a major necessity of the present.”
b.HMI also states the humanist definition of religion: "Religion consists of those actions, purposes, and experiences which are humanly significant…It includes labor, art, science, philosophy, love, friendship, recreation … The distinction between the sacred and the secular can no longer be maintained.”
c.HMI declares the new humanist religion in this way: "In the place of the old attitudes involved in worship and prayer the humanist finds his religious emotions expressed in a heightened sense of personal life and in a cooperative effort to promote social well-being.”
d.HMII (1973) further explains humanists’ opposition to belief in God: "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.”
e.HMII elevates man above God: "Traditional dogmatic or authoritarian religions that place revelation, God, ritual, or creed above human needs and experience do a disservice to the human species… Humans are responsible for what we are or will become.No deity will save us; we must save ourselves… Promises of immortal salvation or fear of eternal damnation are both illusory and harmful.They distract humans from present concerns, from self-actualization, and from rectifying social injustices.”
f.HMIII (2003) is written in more general terms with less specific language.It is evident that contemporary humanist writers have become skittish about the word "religion,” but the principles are unchanged.
D.Humanism is not a new religion, but rather it is the most recent version of man’s worship of himself.
1.Modern humanists identify with people throughout history whom they call "freethinkers.”
a.They define a freethinker as "one who has rejected authority and dogma, especially in religious thinking, in favor of rational inquiry” (from "The Saga of Freethought and Its Pioneers: Religious Critique and Social Reform” via the AHA website).
b.They emphasize human reason and wisdom above all else.In New Testament times, they would have associated with the Athenians (who loved to hear something new – Acts 17:16-21), the Gnostics (who believed salvation came by their own superior knowledge – Col. 2:4-8, 18-23; 1John 2:18-27), and the Gentiles in general (who considered the word of the cross as foolishness compared to their own wisdom – 1Cor. 1:18-31).
2.Modern humanists are mostly freethinkers who have applied Darwin’s theory of evolution to life.
a.In 1859, Charles Darwin gave the freethinkers something they had always wanted – a so-called "rational” explanation of life that did not involve God.They now think that Darwin’s theory allows them to justify their disbelief in God in the name of science.
b.Because humanists believe that man is the most highly-evolved animal, they consider man to be in essence his own god who makes his own rules and destiny.
i.The "promised land” of humanists is a utopian society that evolves from man’s achievements in science and technology.
ii.This philosophy is a branch of humanism called "positivism” in which science is substituted for God and the only truth is that which can be verified by science.
E.The religion of humanism manifests itself among us in many ways that are very prevalent in our society today.It is time that we begin recognizing these ways for what they truly are.
1.Humanism teaches us to look to men in government and science for answers to all of life’s questions and solutions to all of life’s problems rather than seeking after God (Matt. 6:33).
2.Humanism emphasizes:
a.Socialization rather than training in righteousness (2Tim. 3:16-17);
b.Collectivism rather than personal accountability (2Cor. 5:10);
c.Multiculturalism rather than one true faith (John 4:23-24; Acts 4:12; Eph. 4:4-6);
d.Self-esteem rather than sound, righteous judgment (John 7:24; Rom. 12:3);
e.Positive mental attitude rather than faith in God (Heb. 11:6).
3.Humanism preaches reverence for "mother earth” and the animals, plants, trees, oceans, etc. rather than reverence for God (Rom. 1:18-23).
4.Humanism demands a purely secular government (including government schools) that makes no acknowledgement of God whatsoever (Ps. 9:17; 33:12; Prov. 14:34).
5.Humanism promotes an "open society” that tolerates and even celebrates godlessness of all kinds (Rom. 1:24-32).
III.CONCLUSION
A.Humanism is indeed the invisible religion among us.We need to open our eyes to it and realize how it affects us every day.
B.In the final lesson of this series, we will consider a simple refutation of humanism, but for now notice a few Scriptural answers to this godless religion.
1."The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Ps. 14:1)
2."In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen. 1:1)
3."I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not in himself, nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.” (Jer. 10:23)
C.In the next lesson, we will consider what humanism has done to our society over the last century.
