Humanism

[elephunky]

I am wondering if humanism is an attitude (kinda like feminism or masculism), a religion, neither or both? What is your view on humanism and how do you view it? Have you ever met a humanist?

 

[r21c]

It sure is better than the fully monty religious madness there is. How would you imagine a Humanist Middle East?

 

[elephunky]

It sure is better than the fully monty religious madness there is. How would you imagine a Humanist Middle East?

That would be rather lovely.

 

[awitch]

I'd say its a philosophy, and a good one at that.

 

[Sword of the Lord]

It sure is better than the fully monty religious madness there is. How would you imagine a Humanist Middle East?

So why spend your time in a place where you'll come across it quite frequently.

 

[elephunky]

So why spend your time in a place where you'll come across it quite frequently.

Glutton for punishment? lol

 

[hedrick]

I'd say an attitude. There's a pretty good Wikipedia page on it, Humanism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Note that during the 16th Cent the Reformers were considered humanists, though the word had slightly different connotations then. Some Christians would call themselves humanist, though it requires care to define what humanism might mean in a Christian context. It's not a term I'd use of myself.

The term "secular humanist" is often used for people who see no need for religion, and may in fact be actively opposed to it, because so many forms of religion, including Christianity, have been inhumane, and I would argue, un-Christian. Of course many of these people are also atheists, but the term "secular humanist" implies not just a rejection of God, but an attempt to develop humane values and ethics (which, frankly, bear a fair similarity to Jesus').

 

[Zoness]

Sort of going on what ImmaculateSlaveOfGod said in another thread I think being a humanist is sort of like being a deist. You can attach it to serveral ideas and it still makes sense: Secular Humanist, Christian Humanist, Agnostic Humanist etc. It's an adaptable philosophy that works well with many beliefs.

Secular Humanism is by-and-large the "average case" in most of public American society. I mean sure you have loud Christian groups still dictating what we should and shouldn't do but looking at the media, the education system, interactions in the workplace etc. a lot of these norms have been standardized on a foundation of basic secular humanism.

 

[Eudaimonist]

I am wondering if humanism is an attitude (kinda like feminism or masculism), a religion, neither or both?

I'll assume that you mean secular humanism. Please correct me if I am wrong.

It is in some ways like a religion. It certainly involves an attitude, and it is a philosophy of life, or at least part of one. Secular humanist groups even provide support for rituals such as weddings and funerals.

It is in some ways not like a religion, in that it makes no demand for faith in divine entities or life after death.

It is close enough to a religion that it makes sense to answer the question: "What is your religion?" with "I'm a secular humanist."

What is your view on humanism?

Mostly positive, although I don't like how it slants so far to the left politically, and I don't think it is individualistic enough in its ethical orientation, based on what I've read. All too often, the ethics comes across as Christianity-minus-Christ, plus some pragmatism thrown in.

Have you ever met a humanist?

Yes, several.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Alvis]

I am probably a humanist. I still believe in God, but the rest of their philosophy, and their disdain for organized religion, works well I think.

 

[Arthra]

I am wondering if humanism is an attitude (kinda like feminism or masculism), a religion, neither or both? What is your view on humanism and how do you view it? Have you ever met a humanist?

Humanism to me is a philosophy that values humanity... It doesn't have to be opposed to religion.. There were Christian humanists.. and off the top of my head I recall that Thomas More was one... Also Comenius who championed universal education.

Baha'is also support equality of men and women, universal education and believe that a representative world government should be realized... all of these I would suggest are humanist goals as well.

I have met fellow humanists by the way...! Usually at University but also in progressive settings.

 

[Zoness]

Mostly positive, although I don't like how it slants so far to the left politically, and I don't think it is individualistic enough in its ethical orientation, based on what I've read.

Interesting, I thought I was the only one who noticed that.

 

[Alvis]

Humanism to me is a philosophy that values humanity... It doesn't have to be opposed to religion.. There were Christian humanists.. and off the top of my head I recall that Thomas More was one... Also Comenius who championed universal education.

Baha'is also support equality of men and women, universal education and believe that a representative world government should be realized... all of these I would suggest are humanist goals as well.

I have met fellow humanists by the way...! Usually at University but also in progressive settings.

I have yet to meet a christian who values humanity or humanism's values.

I believe they are fundamentally contradictory by nature of being. christianity is all about debasing humans, not about maximizing our potential, which is what humanism is about. Humanism puts people first. christianity puts people last, religion first.

Most religions actually, are anti-human in their agenda. I can't imagine why that would be, though.

 

[Zoness]

I have yet to meet a christian who values humanity or humanism's values.

I believe they are fundamentally contradictory by nature of being. christianity is all about debasing humans, not about maximizing our potential, which is what humanism is about. Humanism puts people first. christianity puts people last, religion first.

Most religions actually, are anti-human in their agenda. I can't imagine why that would be, though.

I think you are generally right. However, I think more liberal branches of Christianity tend to be more humanist. I'd say that's true of the emergent church as well.

The most anti-humanist branches definitely are Calvinists and many Baptists which are influenced by Calvinism. To a lesser degree, most Protestants and many Catholics fall under this banner too.

Though I'd say really liberal churches like the Episcopal Church are way more humanist than many Christians can tolerate. Personally I rather like the Episcopal church.

 

[Alvis]

I think you are generally right. However, I think more liberal branches of Christianity tend to be more humanist. I'd say that's true of the emergent church as well.

The most anti-humanist branches definitely are Calvinists and many Baptists which are influenced by Calvinism. To a lesser degree, most Protestants and many Catholics fall under this banner too.

Though I'd say really liberal churches like the Episcopal Church are way more humanist than many Christians can tolerate. Personally I rather like the Episcopal church.

Well they're not really christians anyway, so they wouldn't count.

In order to be a "true christian", one has to adhere to all the human-hating dogmas and doctrines that are so prevalent in modern day christianity.

The fundies are about as self-loathing and misanthropic as you can get. They hate themselves and the certainly hate their fellow man. It's a sad state of affairs.

 

[prov1810]

I am wondering if humanism is an attitude (kinda like feminism or masculism), a religion, neither or both?

It seems religious when we look at certain monuments in my country, like Mount Rushmore. These are images of human beings built to massive scale to induce awe. The fact that these idols were built in a Christian country shows how syncretist we are. Imagine a time-traveling apostle Paul wandering through Washington DC, with its classical temple architecture and the shrines to Jefferson and Lincoln. He would say it all looks quite familiar.

 

[Arthra]

Seer wrote above:

"Well they're not really christians anyway, so they wouldn't count."

I think I've heard this before... sad.

 

[Zoness]

Well they're not really christians anyway, so they wouldn't count.

In order to be a "true christian", one has to adhere to all the human-hating dogmas and doctrines that are so prevalent in modern day christianity.

The fundies are about as self-loathing and misanthropic as you can get. They hate themselves and the certainly hate their fellow man. It's a sad state of affairs.

I have nothing to add, I pretty much agree: the fundamentalist misanthropic view was taught to me extensively in my teens. It definitely didn't make me a better person.

It seems religious when we look at certain monuments in my country, like Mount Rushmore. These are images of human beings built to massive scale to induce awe. The fact that these idols were built in a Christian country shows how syncretist we are. Imagine a time-traveling apostle Paul wandering through Washington DC, with its classical temple architecture and the shrines to Jefferson and Lincoln. He would say it all looks quite familiar.

I'd think he would see it as familiar mostly because of the classical Greek and Roman influence. Christianity is more influenced by Greek theosophy than people give it credit for.

As far as America being a "Christian" nation? Maybe by most number of adherents and moderate cultural observance but America is in fact a secular nation, many religions are allowed and encouraged to live side by side each other and people are expected to treat others with dignity regardless of their religion.

 

[prov1810]

As far as America being a "Christian" nation? Maybe by most number of adherents and moderate cultural observance but America is in fact a secular nation, many religions are allowed and encouraged to live side by side each other and people are expected to treat others with dignity regardless of their religion.

Certainly not a Christian nation at the founding. I support religious liberty for all, the establishment clause etc.

My point was that even when America was a Christian nation in terms of Protestant cultural hegemony, our Christianity was syncretist. And the desire to restore hegemony through the coercive power of government is a humanism.

 

[Zoness]

Certainly not a Christian nation at the founding. I support religious liberty for all, the establishment clause etc.

My point was that even when America was a Christian nation in terms of Protestant cultural hegemony, our Christianity was syncretist. And the desire to restore hegemony through the coercive power of government is a humanism.

"A humanism" as in, a human behavior, but not secular humanist philosophy. But I understand your point.