Secular Humanism
“Humanism is, I believe, the most deadly and disastrous of all the philosophical stenches that’s crept up through the grating over the pit of Hell. “
Paris Reidhead “Ten Shekels and a Shirt”
The “Happy Human” is the official symbol of the IHEU as well as being regarded as a universally recognized symbol for those who call themselves Humanists
It was this view of the meaning of life which caused Paris Reidhead to clarify
The philosophy of the day became humanism. And you could define humanism this way, humanism is a philosophical statement that declares the end of all being is the happiness of man. The reason for existence is man’s happiness. Now according to humanism, salvation is simply a matter of getting all the happiness you can out of life.
And so this became the effect of humanism, that the end of all being is the happiness of man.
Jesus Christ was either a myth or just a man, so they taught, and, therefore, the whole end of being was happiness. The individual would establish the standards of his happiness and interpret it.
And then the fundamentalists, along the line, are now tuning in on this same wavelength of humanism. Until we find it something like this: “Accept Jesus so you can go to heaven! You don’t want to go to that old, filthy, nasty, burning hell when there is a beautiful heaven up there! Now come to Jesus so you can go to heaven!”
The liberal says the end of religion is to make man happy while he’s alive, and the fundamentalist says the end of religion is to make man happy when he dies.
That this philosophical postulate that the end of all being is the happiness of man, has been sort of covered over with evangelical terms and Biblical doctrine until God reigns in heaven for the happiness of man, Jesus Christ was incarnate for the happiness of man, all the angels exist for the happiness of man…, Everything is for the happiness of man! AND I SUBMIT TO YOU THAT THIS IS UNCHRISTIAN!!! Isn’t man happy? Didn’t God intend to make man happy? Yes. But as a by-product and not a prime-product!
Christianity says, “The end of all being is the glory of God.” Humanism says, “The end of all being is the happiness of man.”
from “ten shekels and a shirt “
There are some who twist that and say if we can make happy Christians then God will get more glory BUT the focus is really on humanism, not Christ.
Let us not make false accusations against the Humanists. Let them speak for themselves
“Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.” http://americanhumanist.org/Humanism/Humanist_Manifesto_III
And what Christian would not agree that the gospel and words of God do exactly that? But the goal of Humanism is not the Christian goal, and its methods are not the Christian methods.
The life stance of Humanism—guided by reason, inspired by compassion, and informed by experience—encourages us to live life well and fully. It evolved through the ages and continues to develop through the efforts of thoughtful people who recognize that values and ideals, however carefully wrought, are subject to change as our knowledge and understandings advance. http://www.reddinghumanists.org/what-is-humanism.html
Humanism is best betrayed by this statement which clearly defines the difference between Humanism and Christianity
- And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Mt 22:16
Did Jesus care about men? Of course, He gave His life for them
- Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Joh 15:13 i
Here is the distinction. Humanism focuses on regarding the person of man, Christianity focuses on the eternal value and destiny of man. Reverse that order or concern in any way, and Humanism is the god in control. Humanism will readily toss out truth or ignore truth for the sake of man’s present state, Christianity will not. Christianity knows that no benefit can be done for any man without truth leading the way. Truth is spoken by means of the Holy Spirit, not by way of human compassion.
Christians are not against compassion or niceness. It is not that they love niceness less, but that they love God and truth more. For the Christian, compassion does not lead the way or control their direction or choices. God is the most compassionate of all beings. True Christians are also not against reason but do not lean on it. Human reason falls short of divine reasoning and why settle for natural reasoning when Christians have access to the Omniscient Mind of God? Like the Humanist, the Christian’s beliefs are confirmed by experience. Unlike the Humanists, Christians have the more firm foundations. God’s ways and truths do not change.
Humanists “are concerned for the well-being of all, are committed to diversity, and respect those of differing yet humane views “
Humanists are concerned for the well-being of all, are committed to diversity, and respect those of differing yet humane views. We work to uphold the equal enjoyment of human rights and civil liberties in an open, secular society and maintain it is a civic duty to participate in the democratic process and a planetary duty to protect nature’s integrity, diversity, and beauty in a secure, sustainable manner. http://americanhumanist.org/Humanism/Humanist_Manifesto_III
Christians are concerned for more than the physical well-being of man. If man is out of touch and out of sync with the One Who understands how man and His creation was meant to function and prosper in temporal and eternal ways, then any help in their temporal well-being is, at best, only for a season. Temporal help may also interfere with God’s process of taking the eyes off from the eternal and gazing on the temporal.
How is it healthy to respect views that lead others away from their only hope of true fulfillment? and toward “the life stance of Humanism to provide comfort in times of want and encouragement in times of plenty.”
That is also the basis for most Christian ministries – compassion and resolution based on things that the world or people can do in their own strength to help others, physically, emotionally, socially, economically. Christian good deeds are not inspired by compassion or even need. They are inspired by the mind of God Who has made us all one, and we do unto our neighbor as we would have others do unto us.
Acts of kindness, even healings, and miracles were never the basis of salvation according to scripture. We are often so busy showing others how generous, and helpful we are, that we do not demonstrate Christ to them. Good deeds, even though they may help, prove nothing.
Oswald Chambers warns against being amateur providences and interfering with God’s dealings with man. We often respond to problems through the lenses of our own understanding and miss God’s perspective.
Scripture does not bother humanists. They use it as it suits their purposes just as they do any other book of “good”. Those of the New Age often quote scripture. Satan is not afraid of scripture, but he fears the God of scripture and the One Who leads us into all truth.
Christianity says, “The end of all being is the glory of God.” Humanism says, “The end of all being is the happiness of man.” “ten shekels and a shirt “
We need to examine ourselves in the light of that truth when we enter any ministry for God. Especially, when “helping” is foremost in our minds.
A primary distinguishing characteristic of humanism is soft and kind speech. The aim of all speech is kindness and lack of offense (even if it covers and permits a dark and sinister heart). Kindness and softness are not contrary to Christianity, but when they take precedent over truth and disallow other methods God uses, they destroy Christianity
When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. Pr 26:25
It is the way of satan to always betray with a kiss
Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. Mt 26:48
I truly appreciate the saints of God who speak contrarily to Humanism and expose the true heart and meaning of God through the scriptures. This book is the means of joining my voice with theirs.
Secular Humanistic Christianity
This was basically settled in the discussion of Humanism. To summarize:
- Humanistic Christianity focuses on the societal, psychological, emotional problems and injustices and hurts of men more than it does on how a person’s hinder themselves and God’s kingdom.
- Humanistic Christianity is more focused on man’s relationship to man than man’s relationship to God.
They would say otherwise, but their first concern is to deal with the hurt or disconnect between man and his feelings, his hurts, his economic problems, his health problems, his dietary problems – etc, etc, etc. It follows the same “treatment” approach as does a secular counselor (getting in touch with their feelings and solving symptoms of the problems, not the heart). - The Christian Humanists first line of approach is to deal with the disconnect between man and man based on hurts and other externals. Just how truth enters in is not too much of a concern.
- Modern “biblical” counseling techniques have borrowed heavily from Humanism, especially in their approach. The bible has become a textbook and its words principles by which programs are formed. If we look at the way counsel was done in the bible, it does not square with today’s methods. In all instances, it was based on discernment given by God.
- The only place where we see modern biblical counseling demonstrated is in Job’s counselors who spoke correct truths, but they were not applicable to the reality at hand.
- Modern “biblical” counseling techniques have borrowed heavily from Humanism, especially in their approach. The bible has become a textbook and its words principles by which programs are formed. If we look at the way counsel was done in the bible, it does not square with today’s methods. In all instances, it was based on discernment given by God.
- Humanistic Christianity speaks of God much, speaks of salvation much, uses the right terminology and the right scriptures.
Only the meanings have been changed to corrupt the innocent - Humanistic Christianity heart is not portrayed in their actions, but in their preeminent focus on man. It is their focus on man that portrays the heart.
- Their methods are always trying to introduce other ways for many to get right with God in addition to via the cross- “Clean this up”, “do this, not that”
- “Let us deal with your hurts and offenses against you first,” they say, instead of showing them how they are violating the commands of God and walking in the flesh instead of the Spirit.
- They are more concerned with feelings and hurts than in setting the captives free.
- Truth and life are secondary to personal offenses
We pride ourselves on our tolerance and “sophisticated” attitude toward opinions and error. - Respect and concern for man has replaced respect and concern for God, and man as God intended him to be and it is destroying man as God meant him to be.
Many are blinded and do not know what they are actually partaking in. Traditions, psychology, which have unknowingly defined their ways through popular Christian teachings and pulpits. Others have truly discerned the error, but instead of standing strong against it, are joining it. We all need to grow stronger in our opposition to humanism and speak out when it raises its wicked head.
I would urge all to read the Humanist Manifesto and carefully consider the meanings the Humanist gives “good” things, compared to the way God sees them. Unfortunately, I don’t think many Christians will see many problems other than they ignore and deny God.