What is humanism?

TravelJunkie

I was wondering what humanism is - according to christianity.

I was reading a little about this and the document at hand was saying it is against God and can deceive Christians.

Any thoughts?

PDN

humanism
noun
1. the doctrine that people's duty is to promote human welfare [syn: humanitarianism]
2. the doctrine emphasizing a person's capacity for self-realization through reason; rejects religion and the supernatural
3. the cultural movement of the Renaissance; based on classical studies

People often manage to confuse themselves because the same word is used in different ways.

Definitions 1 & 3 should cause no difficulty to any Christian.

Definition #2 is obviously against God in that it rejects Him, and if God actually exists it will therefore deceive its adherents. But I fail to see how it can deceive Christians.

TravelJunkie

I will try and find a way to post what I was reading.. will probably be more in context.
tx

achtungbarry

Here is some info from Humanist.org

Are you a humanist?
Do you try to live an ethical and fulfilling life without religious belief?
Do you think science and reason lead to more reliable knowledge than faith?
Do you support secular government and an open society that guarantees human rights for all?
If you answered "yes" to these questions, you might be one of the millions of humanists on Earth -- people who live meaningful, fulfilling lives based on reason and compassion.


Humanism in brief
Humanism is a philosophy of life inspired by humanity and guided by reason. It provides the basis for a fulfilling and ethical life without religion.

Humanists make sense of the world using reason, experience and shared human values.
Humanists see no convincing evidence for gods, the supernatural, or life after death.
Humanists believe that moral values are properly founded on human empathy and scientific understanding.
Humanists believe we must live this life on the basis that it is the only life we'll have -- that, therefore, we must make the most of it for ourselves, each other, and our world.
Humanist philosophies have arisen separately in many different cultures over many thousands of years. 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.


Definitions of humanism
Humanism is:

"...seeking, without religion, the best in, and for, human beings." Chambers Pocket Dictionary

"...a doctrine, attitude, or way of life centered on human interests or values; especially: a philosophy that usually rejects supernaturalism and stresses an individual's dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason." Merriam Webster Dictionary

"...a non-religious philosophy, based on liberal human values." Little Oxford Dictionary

"...an appeal to reason in contrast to revelation or religious authority as a means of finding out about the natural world and destiny of man, and also giving a grounding for morality... Humanist ethics is also distinguished by placing the end of moral action in the welfare of humanity rather than in fulfilling the will of God." Oxford Companion to Philosophy

"The rejection of religion in favor of the advancement of humanity by its own efforts." Collins Concise Dictionary

"That which is characteristically human, not supernatural, that which belongs to man and not to external nature, that which raises man to his greatest height or gives him, as man, his greatest satisfaction." Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences

"A system of thought that centers on humans and their values, capacities, and worth." American Heritage Dictionary

achtungbarry

This is also a set of affirmations that humanists in general tend to agree with, I say tend to as there is no dogma in humanism.

I think it really sums up Humanist thought very well.

The Affirmations of Humanism: A Statement of Principles and Values

We are committed to the application of reason and science, to the understanding of the universe and to the solving of human problems. This must be combined with sensitivity and compassion

We are concerned with securing justice and fairness in society and with eliminating discrimination and intolerance to achieve an open and pluralist society

We believe that scientific discovery and technology can contribute to the betterment of human life. We are committed to the separation of Church and State

We respect the right to privacy. Mature adults should be able to exercise reproductive freedom, to have access to comprehensive and informed healthcare and to die with dignity.

We believe in the common moral decencies: altruism, integrity, honesty, truthfulness, responsibility. Humanist ethics are amenable to critical, rational guidance

We want to protect and enhance the earth, to preserve it for future generations, and to avoid inflicting needless suffering on other species

We attempt to transcend any divisive parochial loyalties based on race, religion, gender, nationality, creed, class, sexual orientation or ethnicity, and strive to work together for the common good of humanity

We believe in individual happiness; in developing our creative talents to their fullest, and in the realisation of the best that we are capable of as human beings.

We are deeply concerned with the moral education of children

We want to nourish reason and compassion

We are engaged by the arts no less than by the sciences

We are sceptical of untested claims to knowledge, but we are open to new ideas and seek new departures in our thinking

We affirm Humanism as a source of rich personal significance and genuine satisfaction in the service of others. Humanism is a realistic alternative to theologies of pessimism and ideologies of violence

condra

Generally speaking, I think a lot of moderate Christians have what you might call "humanistic values", which incorporate traditional values with more modern concepts such as human rights.

Not all atheists are humanists, but most people who identify themselves as humanists would probably be atheists or agnostic.