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Most Americans do not even know what “Secular Humanism” is, yet, ironically, most Americans living today (especially those under 40) have been greatly influenced by it. What is it? The term secular stands opposed to the concept that man is a spiritual being with a never-dying soul: “Promises of immortal salvation or fear of eternal damnation are both illusory and harmful. . . There is no credible evidence that life survives the death of the body” (Humanist Manifestos I and II, 1973, pp. 16–17). The term humanist emphasizes the belief that man is wholly human and material, again denying the existence of soul or spirit and exalting man as the supreme form of life, excluding the idea of God altogether: “…traditional theism, especially faith in the prayer-hearing God, assumed to love and care for persons, to hear and understand their prayers, and to be able to do something about them, is an unproved and outmoded faith . . . But we can discover no divine purpose or providence for the human species … No deity will save us; we must save ourselves” (Ibid., pp. 13, 16). Please notice that Humanism is not to be confused with humanitarianism, the trait of being compassionate toward one’s fellow man. Nor is Humanism in any way related to humane societies that give special attention to the treatment of animals by humans.
Perhaps the greatest channel of influence for Humanism in America has been through public education, both in local public schools and in state colleges and universities. The late John Dewey, considered the father of modern education in our nation, was among the 34 signees of the first “Humanist Manifesto” in 1933. Due to his influence and the general drift toward secularism, educational philosophy has come to be dominated by the Humanist philosophy. The new head of the Department of Education, appointed by President Carter before he left office, was a Humanist. Many of the educators who are training public school teachers and administrators in our state universities are either Humanists or have come under Humanistic influence. Humanist authors have injected their philosophies into many of the textbooks our students study in school. The attempt to force sex education into the public schools was led by Dr. Mary Calderone, chosen “Humanist of the Year” in 1974. (One does not have to guess what kind of “sex education” she favors!) Many of the most anti-Biblical and immoral causes of the present (including the “Gay Rights” and the extreme feminist rights groups) are controlled or endorsed by Humanists.
Perhaps the most ironic thing of all about this satanic philosophy is that it is recognized by the Supreme Court as a religion! It has even started a program of radio evangelism with such “evangelists” as Steve Allen and other well-known personalities making its deceptive pitch. We must oppose this God-hating, anti-moral philosophy.
[Note: I wrote this article for and it was published in The Edifier, weekly bulletin of Pearl Street Church of Christ, Denton, TX, May 14, 1981, of which I was editor.]
Attribution: From thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.
