This document discusses the philosophy of humanism and how it contrasts with Christianity. It defines humanism as ascribing to the belief that man is alone on Earth and can find pleasure through his own capabilities, without need of a creator. The document asserts that humanism denies that God is in charge of the world and rejects His commandments. It traces the roots of humanist thought back to events in Genesis like the deception of Eve and humanity's attempt to build the Tower of Babel. The document also outlines some of the historical roots of humanism in ancient Greek philosophy and how it has developed modern principles focused on reason, science, and human empathy over religious or supernatural explanations.

1. DEVELOPING RESPECT &
RESPONSIBILITY on
HUMANITY BASED ON
HUMAN RIGHTS

2. THE PHILOSOPHY OF
HUMANISM• Humanism defined
• When did Humanism
begin?
• What are the objectives
of Humanism?
• How has today’s thinking
been influenced by
Humanism?
• Are Humanism and the
Bible compatible?
• What does the Bible say
will happen with
Humanism?

3. THE ISSUE
• Humanism is a religion – a philosophy that is
rapidly spreading across western society
• It can at times imitate Christian values and fool
some into thinking it is just a modern approach to
the Christian faith
• However, Humanists believe that Christianity is an
old paradigm – that the progressive man is one
who sees the God of the Bible and His moral code
as irrelevant
• Humanism is influencing, even dominating, the
messages we are exposed to in the media,
schools, politics and entertainment
• The Bible teaches that Humanist thought is
incompatible with requirements of God – your
salvation is at risk!

4. What is Humanism?

5. Humanism Defined
Humanism is a
philosophy that ascribes
to man that he is alone
on this world and that it
is only by his capabilities
and ingenuity that he
may have pleasure in
life. Man is to be
exalted and we should
celebrate his advances.

6. Humanism's Threat to the Mind of
Believers
• It fundamentally asserts that man can
manage his world and self
appropriately
• It denies that our Creator is in charge
of the world and its events
• It rejects His requirements and
commandments and declares them
“not relevant”
• It picks and chooses what is
comfortable and convenient from
God’s Word
• It denies that there is a reward for

7. Biblical Roots of
Humanism

8. The Deception of Eve
“And the serpent said unto
the woman, Ye shall not
surely die: For God doth
know that in the day ye
eat therefore, then your
eyes shall be opened,
and ye shall be gods,
knowing good and evil.”
Genesis 3:4-5

9. Genesis 6:5-8
“The LORD saw how great man's wickedness
on the earth had become, and that every
inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only
evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he
had made man on the earth, and his heart was
filled with pain. So the LORD said, "I will wipe
mankind, whom I have created, from the face of
the earth-men and animals, and creatures that
move along the ground, and birds of the air-for I
am grieved that I have made them." But Noah
found favor in the eyes of the LORD .”

10. The Voice of
Humanism
“And they said one to another, Go to, let us make
brick, and burn them thoroughly, And they had
brick for stone, and slime they had for mortar.
And they said, Go to, let us build a city and a
tower, whose top may reach unto heaven, and
let us make a name, lest we be scattered abroad
upon the face of the earth. And the LORD said,
Behold, the people is one, and they have all one
language: and this they begin to do: and now
nothing will be restrained from them, which
they have imagined to do.”
Genesis 11:3,4,6

11. Historical Roots and
Modern Development

12. Historical Roots of Humanism
Aristotle proposed…
• By observation, the world around is a sorry place
and appears to have serious flaws in its
organization (e.g., the evil behavior of many
men, violence in animals, occurrence of
catastrophes)
• These flaws are not the result of human
wrongdoing or divine wrath, but are caused
through a lack of knowledge concerning the way
in which the world and life upon it works
• The task of man is to gain knowledge of himself
and his surroundings so as to put everything
right and bring about a perfect social order

13. Further Roots from Aristotle
• Rejected that there are any “divine”
standards in which behavior was to be
judged
• The pursuit of knowledge had at its aim
happiness in this life, since there was not
believed to be another
• Right and wrong was to be determined by
seeing how things actually worked out in
the end

14. The Affirmations of Humanism:
Statement of Principles
We are committed to the application of reason and science to the
understanding of the universe and to the solving of human
problems.
We deplore efforts to denigrate human intelligence, to seek to
explain the world in supernatural terms, and to look outside nature
for salvation.
We are committed to the principle of the separation of church and
state.
We attempt to transcend 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 enjoying life here and now and in developing our
creative talents to their fullest.

15. We respect the right to privacy. Mature adults should
be allowed to fulfill their aspirations, to express their
sexual preferences,…
We believe in the common moral decencies: altruism,
integrity, honesty, truthfulness, responsibility.
Humanist ethics is amenable to critical, rational
guidance. There are normative standards that we
discover together. Moral principles are tested by their
consequences.
We are deeply concerned with the moral education of
our children. We want to nourish reason and
compassion.
We affirm humanism as a realistic alternative to
theologies of despair

16. Beatitudes vs. Humanism
• Poor in spirit
• They that mourn
• The meek
• Hunger/thirst after
righteousness
• Merciful
• Pure in heart
• Peacemakers
• Persecuted for
righteousness’ sake
• Exaltation of self
• Celebration of human
capability
• Hold fast to “human
rights”
• Rejection of righteous
requirements of God
• Behavior evaluated by
consequences
• There is no Divine moral
code, no need to suffer
for one

17. Humanists

18. • Think for themselves about what is right and
wrong, based on reason and respect for
others.
• Find meaning, beauty and joy in the one life
we have, without the need for an afterlife.
• Look to science instead of religion as the best
way to discover and understand the world.
• Believe people can use empathy and
compassion to make the world a better place
for everyone

19. • trusts to the scientific method when it comes
to understanding how the universe works and
rejects the idea of the supernatural (and is
therefore an atheist or agnostic)
• makes their ethical decisions based on
reason, empathy, and a concern for human
beings and other sentient animals
• believes that, in the absence of an afterlife
and any discernible purpose to the universe,
human beings can act to give their own lives
meaning by seeking happiness in this life and
helping others to do the same.

20. What is a humanist?
• “Humanist” is used today to mean those who
seek to live good lives without religious or
superstitious beliefs. Humanists believe that
moral values follow on from human nature
and experience in some way.
• Humanists base their moral principles on
reason (which leads them to reject the idea of
any supernatural agency), on shared human
values and respect for others. They believe
that people should work together to improve
the quality of life for all and make it more
equitable.

21. Humanism is a full philosophy, “life stance” or
worldview, rather than being about one aspect
of religion, knowledge, or politics.