But if secular humanism uses reason and knowledge to solve problems of despair and violence, then doesn’t secular humanism bestow praise on, that is glorify, reason and knowledge?That’s essentially correct.
Whereas many theologies incorporate violence and despair as part of the solution, secular humanism relies on reason and knowledge to address and solve problems and in effect says that humanity needn’t rationalize poverty and war and disease by saying that we are somehow depraved or guilty or deserving.
No.But if secular humanism uses reason and knowledge to solve problems of despair and violence, then doesn’t secular humanism bestow praise on, that is glorify, reason and knowledge?
What guides secular humanistic thinking is a peaceful productive vision of the human future. Contrast this with the violent Christian version, for example, which maintains that the Earth will be consumed in an Armageddon-like final battle in which the winner takes all and the losers burn in hell for eternity.Is there something else that guides secular humanistic reasoning which deserves the real glorification?
Secular humanism presums to measure religion by “scientific standards.” without first bothering to critque itself by those same standards, to prove itself worthy to be a reliable judge.I apologize-- I was taking shortcuts, and admittedly do not know enough about Secular Humanism to really be saying anything. From an initial encounter with a single adherent, and from a very cursory skimming of the web page, all I have are speculations.
So in an attempt to be helpful, I confess I was a little too free to share what only amounts to impressions, and one of those impressions is that Secular Humanism does presuppose being ‘outside of religion’, by its very nature of being distinct from other religions as a sort of new ‘pseudo-religion’.
Alas, I have no facts-- certainly not about how SH thinking begins or ends-- and I thank you for calling me on it; I wasn’t sure otherwise how to bow out of this thread, whew!
If this thread goes on, I hope to learn more about SH, what it’s all about, and what it means to Catholics.
As the Holy Father has pointed out, it does not glorify reason. Indeed, it is pessimistic about the capacity of reason to know truth. Don’t be confused by the loudness of a newly militant atheism. Some like Christopher Hitchens seem to be enveloped by dispair.If it glorifies anything, which it certainly does not, it glorifies knowledge and reason, and asserts that humans have the capacity to solve problems, and therefore need not indulge in theologies of despair and violence.
Come to think of it, it says to do exactly what the gospel protagonist Jesus did, for the most part anyway.
I’d have to familiarize myself with Hitchens. Perhaps his despair is justified. In practice, however, secular humanism and religious humanism are identical. If I pass out food to the homeless once a month that is a secular humanist act. f I do it for some religious reason, it becomes religiously inspired humanism I guess.As the Holy Father has pointed out, it does not glorify reason. Indeed, it is pessimistic about the capacity of reason to know truth. Don’t be confused by the loudness of a newly militant atheism. Some like Christopher Hitchens seem to be enveloped by dispair.
No…but secularism in Western culture must be fought, hammer and tong. I’m convinced our civilization is being flushed down the tubes, so to speak.Does anyone know of any good Catholic apologetics against secular humanism and/or the Center for Inquiry?
Would you be willing to summarize the article?The Challenge of Dialogue with Non-Believers discusses secular humanism.
Why such stong opposition?No…but secularism in Western culture must be fought, hammer and tong. I’m convinced our civilization is being flushed down the tubes, so to speak.
I think that there has been harsh words on both sides for years, so I don’t think there is going to be a quick one-answer solution to this conflict.Why such stong opposition?
Humanism is humanism whether it’s secular or religious. Shame on those who stand in judgement.I think that there has been harsh words on both sides for years, so I don’t think there is going to be a quick one-answer solution to this conflict.
Maybe we can begin an ongoing and respectful dialogue, focusing on our similarities. Maybe become allies against common enemies like hunger and homelessness. I’m sure we wouldn’t agree on everything. I don’t think there is always agreement between catholics and between secular humanists either. All the more reason to include more people in this dialogue.
Yeah, we are all human and we make mistakes. I think that if we see any barrier like being judgmental, coercive, or just plain sneaky; we all should be responsible for pointing it out and specifically talking about it.Humanism is humanism whether it’s secular or religious. Shame on those who stand in judgement.