Worldview: Secular Humanism vs. Christianity

Secular Humanism

Origin –

Secular humanism is largely based on the belief that there is no God (or gods) and thus, the answer to the origin of man must be found elsewhere. This worldview attacks the question by looking to science. A popular theory dealing with the origin of the universe is known as the Big Bang Theory. While there is no concrete evidence to support this notion, it is believed that the universe was basically condensed in an unknown density and temperature that began to expand around 14 billion years ago.[1] This supposedly led to the formation of proteins and atoms and eventually the formation of proteins and then life. No design, no direction, just random chance. Another theory, known as The Panspermia Theory, consists of life from another universe traveling to earth and spreading spores that eventually became human life forms. Here, there is no explanation as to the origin of said life forms.[2]

Identity -

Since humanists believe man evolved from primordial slime, man has no basis on which to elevate himself above animals or any other life form. Man is simply the most intelligent of the animal world. This reasoning has led to some extreme views including the attitude towards abortion and euthanasia. [3] It also led to Hitler’s attempted extermination of the Jews during World War II. 

Meaning/Purpose -

Since man, according to humanists, is simply a highly developed state of evolutionary process, he has no meaning or purpose. There is nothing outside of himself that gives him relevance. Some may argue man’s value but this is nothing more than philosophical opinion.

Morality -

There are no absolutes, according to many humanists; therefore, morality is determined by the individual person or his society. This idea is commonly referred to as relativism and it is not fixed; therefore, it is subject to change.[4] Carl Jung stated, “Without freedom there can be no morality.”[5] This would mean that moral decisions imposed by government institutions would not be morality if the citizenry had no choice in the matter. Consider Hitler killing Jews because he claimed they were inferior. The German people had to make a conscious, moral decision on whether this was right or not. It is also interesting that in the battle over homosexual marriage today, many who support it claim the moral high ground, commonly referred to as tolerance, but fail to offer this right equally to those who oppose it, regardless of their reasons. According to Jung, this cannot be a moral position. Without an absolute standard, it would seem that morality is nothing more than a construct of human imagination.   

Destiny -

If there is no God or universal cause, when man dies, he ceases to be.

Most humanists seem to be okay with this concept but in all honesty, do they ever ask, what if? When they look at their spouse, children, and grandchildren, do they consider, if God does exist, that their loved ones will go to hell based on their ideals? Perhaps their acceptance of nothingness after death is palatable because they are free to live their lives in whatever way they choose without having to question being accountable to a holy and righteous God.  

Christianity

Origin –

The Christian, or perhaps better stated traditional Christianity, believes all of creation comes from God. John said, “He” (Jesus) “was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:2-4, NKJV). Genesis chapters 1 and 2 document the creation but secular humanists dispute the claims of Scripture and argue that science refutes the biblical account and proves it wrong. Many Christians have bought into this notion and mix evolution and an old earth view with the biblical account. There is much scientific evidence that supports the biblical account but it is important to remember, for the Christian, God’s Word is the final authority. Charles Darwin, in the Origen of Species, admits that if every living thing evolved from something else, there should be huge amounts of fossil evidence to demonstrate the transitional stages but this is not the case. He admitted that this lack of evidence was the strongest case against his Theory of Evolution.[6] Many secular scientists today are acknowledging that science does actually support creation and Scripture, leading many to become creationists.  

Identity -

The Christian obtains identity or worth because of his relationship to God, “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth’” (Gen. 1:26, NKJV). God gives man worth and demonstrates the value He places on us by taking on human flesh and suffering and dying so that we will not be eternally separated from Him (Rom. 5:8). A Holy God suffering and dying for sinful, fallen man. That says we have immeasurable worth to the Creator of everything that exists. The humanist would have us believe we are no better than animals or plants. They would have us reject our Creator and live our lives in rebellion to the One who loves us and died for us. No one likes an ungrateful child. To reject God is the epitome of ungratefulness. At the same time, many secularists rally to treat animals with dignity and value while trumpeting a woman’s right to abortion on demand. Life is sacred to God and He clearly instructs us not to murder. The humanist mindset, whether they realize it or not, is in complete rebellion against Holy God.

Meaning/Purpose -

When God created man, He chose to make him steward over His creation (Gen. 1:26). It was also His desire that mankind worship Him and fellowship with Him (Deut. 10:12-13). For the humanist, since he has no higher power to serve or answer to, his life is whatever he desires. If mankind has no relevance, why should he not seek to make himself happy? Since there is no one to answer to, if his ambitions come at the expense of others, what difference does it make? Even so, it is only fare to say that there are many humanists who seek to do good. Some give to charitable organizations while others seek to save lives (e.g. doctors, firemen, policemen), try to be good neighbors or serve others in another capacity. At best, their efforts are motivated by a desire to make them feel good about themselves. If there is no gain or judgment after death, what benefit is there?        

Morality –

According to Mirriam-Webster, secular humanism can be defined as, “a system of values and beliefs that are opposed to the values and beliefs of traditional religions” or, “humanistic philosophy viewed as a nontheistic religion antagonistic to traditional religion.”[7] While I respect Mirriam-Webster, this may not be an entirely accurate description. Many humanists share the Christian beliefs that murder, adultery, stealing, and lying are wrong. Perhaps the biggest difference here is how they come to share these beliefs and values. The Christian bases his views on Scripture while the humanist may simply conform to excepted societal beliefs and behaviors. Apart from these age old beliefs, a difference of opinion does seem to emerge. In regard to sexual morality or other moral issues, the humanist tends to move left of Christianity.   

Destiny –

In his gospel, John wrote, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Earlier, David wrote, “For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish” (Ps.1:6, NKJV). Throughout Scripture, God promises that those who receive Him, trusting in Christ, will spend eternity with Him after death. The humanist has no such hope. Whether he believes in hell or not, his rejection of the Messiah will lead him there.

Bibliography

DeWitt, David A. Unraveling the Origins Controversy. Lynchburg: Creation Curriculum, 2007.

Joshi, Sonali. "Origen of Life: The Panspermia Theory." Helix Magazine. https://helix.northwestern.edu/article/origin-life-panspermia-theory.

Mirriam-Webster. Accessed February 20, 2015. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secular%20humanism.

Morris, Tom. Philosophy for Dummies. Indianapolis: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 1999.

Weider, Lew, Ben Gutierrez. Consider. Virginia Beach: Academx Publishing Services, 2013.

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[1]. David A. DeWitt, Unraveling the Origins Controversy, (Lynchburg: Creation Curriculum, 2007), 144.   

[2]. Sonali S. Joshi, "Origen of Life: The Panspermia Theory," Helix Magazine, https://helix.northwestern.edu/article/origin-life-panspermia-theory.

[3]. Lew Weider, Ben Gutierrez, Consider, (Virginia Beach: Academx Publishing Services, 2013), 66.   

[4]. Ibid., 71.

[5]. Tom Morris, Philosophy for Dummies, (Indianapolis: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 1999), 125.

[6]. David A. DeWitt, Unraveling the Origins Controversy, (Lynchburg: Creation Curriculum, 2007), 157.    

[7]. Mirriam-Webster. Accessed February 20, 2015. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secular%20humanism.