and the cult of self-worship
Published on October 13, 2007 By lulapilgrim In Religion
As so often happens, one forum discussion leads to an other one. Such is the case here. This one comes directly out of EmperorofIceCream’s forum “Why there is no sin” in which one poster wrote the following:

It is nice to think of a one world religion and everyone abiding by the laws set forth by it, imagining everyone living peacefully, helping one another, and not have pointless wars, but that will never happen... and frankly, I wouldn't want it to be that way.

Although I think the reference was to Christianity, I pointed out that for some time the United Nations and the European Union have been busily developing their "one world religion". It's called secular and atheistic humanism. Here in America ever since the 60’s, the secularization process is progressing at an amazingly rapid speed.

To which another poster replied, “humanism isn't a religion of any type”.

So is it? Is Secular Humanism a religion?

I say yes it is. In 1965, the Supreme Court recognized Secular Humanism as a religion in its decision, the United States vs. Seeger. Even the Humanist Manifestos speak of religious humanism. Secular Humanism is a philosophical way of life, a belief system that secular humanists live by.

Could it depend on one's definition of religion? If we limit ourselves to Webster's primary definition of religion which is " the belief and worship of God ", then Secular Humanism is not a religion. But when you get to Webster's 4th definition that religion is " anything done or followed with reverence or devotion", then based on this expansion of the definition, Secular Humanism fits the definition of religion. This is exactly what the court case, United States vs Seeger, did in 1965....it essentially broadened the definition of the word "religion". Buddhism fits with this 4th definition. Buddhism is one of the world's leading religions, yet Buddhists don't believe in or worship a Supreme Being called God.

Here in the US and many European countries Christianity is being supplanted by the religion of Secular Humanism.

What is the doctrinal faith of Secular Humanism based upon and how is Secular Humanism being propagated?

The tenets of Secular Humanism come from the Humanist Manifest I and II and in the Secular Humanist Declaration. They are as follows:

The first tenet of Secular Humanism denies the relevance of Almighty God and in place of worship and prayer finds his faith in a heightened sense of personal life and in a cooperative effort to promote social well-being.

The second tenet of Secular Humanism is the belief that man can begin with himself and on the basis of “human reason” alone can think out the answers to the great questions which confront mankind.

The third tenet of Secular Humanism is the belief in the inevitably of progress perpetuated through the Evolutionary Theory and its cultural application of Social Darwinism.

The fourth tenet of Secular Humanism is the belief in science as the guide to human progress and the ultimate provider of an alternative to both religion and morals. Therefore, science itself assumes a religious character and we have certainly seen this recently in radical environmentalism and global warming alarmists.

The fifth tenet of Secular Humanism is the belief in self-sufficiency and centrality of man. This tenet encompasses the assertion of the autonomy and independence of man apart from Almighty God thereby releasing mankind from all obligations to Him. This tenet promulgates the idea that man’s future and salvation is in man’s hands, thus, man not God controls the destiny of the human race.

Secular Humanism is propagated through public education, the media, the courts, and through other governmental agencies.

As man more and more declares his independence from traditional moral and religious restraints, does he soar to the heights of Neitsche's superman, but finds himself drawn to his lower nature and more often than not in the gutter of life?

I'll be using James Hitchcock's book , " What is Secular Humanism?" as a guideline. He points out that the Jesuit theologian, Henri DeLubac said that every Humanist system in the ends betrays man. There is a major and inevitable gulf between what it promises and what it is able to fulfill.

Secular Humanism promises total freedom, but man can exercise freedom, paradoxically, on in fulfillment of the commands of his Creator. All of us chafe at the limitations of life, but the Humanist acts of defiance and heedless disregard end by enslaving the individuals to his passions and to the inexorable march of history.

Since man was created by an All-Wise and All-Loving God, he cannot be truly free or happy except in loving obedience to his Creator's will. "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."

Comments (Page 3)
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on Oct 18, 2007
KINGBEE POSTS #10
you're totally ignoring the following:

secular humanism (without the u/c 's' & 'h' please) is the very basis of our government.

what could be more humanist than government of people, by people for people?

what could be more secular than rejecting completely the notion that government is an extension of divine authority?


Kingbee, you can see from what I just posted that I am very much aware and concerned that Secular Humanism is becoming the law of the land.

As far as secular humanism being the basis of our government it wasn't. Humanism was, but not secular humanism....big difference. I say this because our founding documents mention "the laws of nature and nature's God" as well as that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I think that every one of the State constitutions have similiar language.
on Oct 18, 2007
Jythier posts #22
"if anything can be a religion, a religion can be anything."

Doesn't diminish my church. See, anything CAN be a religion, because religion was never important to begin with. Faith in God and Jesus is what's important, not the religous practices.


With those things I've highlighted, I beg to differ Jythier.

Religion, as well as religious practice, is very important. What we must differentiate between is irreligion and false religion from true religion. Restated, a religion that is "anything" other than what God Himself revealed is irreligion or false religion.


I think that the only one, true and holy religion is the one that Almighty God has Divinely revealed...and that's Christianity.....through the Old and New Testaments.

Jythier posts:
Christianity is faith in Jesus, religion is something else.


I'd say that Christianity is a supernatural religion and faith in Christ is the Christian religion! Many Protestants trying to distance themselves from "religion" call Catholics "religionists". I take it as a compliment.

By Christian religion I mean that voluntary act of rendering oneself to the belief, worship and service of the one Triune God in the way prescribed by Him. This is the First Commandment of God. Christian religion is the virtue of justice which renders to God the honor and worship due Him.

The Christian religion requires faith or belief. Catholics must worship God by Faith, Hope and Charity; that is we must believe in Him, hope in Him and love Him with our whole heart.


Jythier posts:
Faith in God and Jesus is what's important, not the religous practices.


This is where we split hairs.....over the religious practice of the Christian faith. As you must know, Protestantism split completely away from Catholicism.

The practice of the Christian faith is necessary. God has definite rights which no man is justified in ignoring. God definitely commands that we love and serve Him.


on Oct 18, 2007
I do that! Not out of a religion, but out of a personal relationship with Christ.
on Oct 18, 2007
I do that! Not out of a religion, but out of a personal relationship with Christ.


Good. I was hoping you'd say this.
on Oct 23, 2007
founding documents mention "the laws of nature and nature's God" as well as that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness


the declaration of independence is not the constitution nor was it intended to be. our constitution makes no specific mention of any god. it is therefore both secular as well as humanist.
on Oct 23, 2007
I know that the US Constitution makes no specific mention of Almighty God and thankfully it doesn't, as you say, make any specific mention of any god!

My point though goes to the way in which it is written in that the US Constitution is in complete harmony and conformity with the Declaration of Independence which declares that we are all endowed with certain unalienable rights that come from the First Authority, our Creator.

Our civil authorities, whether federal, state or municipal level, must always make legislation in conformity with the US Constitition. To do otherwise, is to put the electorate as well as the larger society in a situation of having to disobey one authority to serve a higher authority.

Rather than secular, I think the language of the US Constitution can be more accurately called religiously neutral.

Secular and atheist humanists, largely under the rubric of the sexual revolution, have been slowly changing the culture by legitimizing as "rights " the evils of abortion, sodomy, artificial birth control, divorce, and so forth. Here on JU we are currently discussing state schools giving artificial birth control drugs to 11, 12 and 13 year old girls without parental knowledge or supervision. In reality this is nothing less than the destruction of Christian civilization. They call it "progress". Well is it? What is the land of the free and home of the brave progressing towards...the stars or the gutter?

on Apr 09, 2008

Any belief donned as a major part of life is a religion. I prefer to think of Christianity as a relation, not a religion, but that can be disputed some other time, since it is technically a religion by book definition..

on May 07, 2008

I think it depends on what context you place the word 'Religion'. You answered your own question in the post. It's a matter of interpretation, it could be quite easily argued that Huminisim is not a religion.

I fail to actually see the point of your article, other than stating you believe in god and showing people some of the guidelines to huminisim.

I find it disturbing that you wouldn't want a peaceful world, with people helping one another. Even most religious people i meet want that, or dream of that. What is it that you don't like about a peaceful planet?

on May 07, 2008
I find it disturbing that you wouldn't want a peaceful world, with people helping one another.


Thank you Scotteh for reading and commenting on my article.

Would you explain why you think I don't want a peaceful world from what I've written here?

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