Changes

==Pagan Humanism==

==Pagan Humanism==

Despite the siting of humanism within Christianity during the Middle Ages, this structure was not sustained. Radical changes to the meaning of humanism occurred in the modern era. The 20th century [[Atheism|atheistic]] philosophy of pagan humanism emerged, and grew out of the [[liberal]] [[enlightenment]], relying entirely on reason without religion. Humanism therefore rejects the idea of a supernatural being responsible for the creation of the universe. As a result, humanists believe instead that people are responsible for their actions and that purpose in the universe is not dependent upon the existence of or [[faith]] in a God. The International Humanist and Ethical Union's ''Minimum Statement on Humanism'' states:

Despite the siting of humanism within Christianity during the Middle Ages, this structure was not sustained. Radical changes to the meaning of humanism occurred in the modern era. The 20th century [[Atheism|atheistic]] philosophy of pagan humanism emerged, and grew out of the [[liberal]] [[enlightenment]], relying entirely on reason without religion. Humanism therefore rejects the idea of a supernatural being responsible for the creation of the universe. As a result, humanists believe instead that people are responsible for their actions and that purpose in the universe is not dependent upon the existence of or [[faith]] in a god. The International Humanist and Ethical Union's ''Minimum Statement on Humanism'' states:

{{cquote|Humanism is a democratic and ethical life stance, which affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives. It stands for the building of a more humane society through an ethic based on human and other natural values in the spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities. It is not theistic, and it does not accept supernatural views of reality.<ref>International Humansit and Ethical Union. [http://www.iheu.org/minimumstatement ''IHEU Minimum Statement on Humanism''] (1996)</ref>}}

{{cquote|Humanism is a democratic and ethical life stance, which affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives. It stands for the building of a more humane society through an ethic based on human and other natural values in the spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities. It is not theistic, and it does not accept supernatural views of reality.<ref>International Humansit and Ethical Union. [http://www.iheu.org/minimumstatement ''IHEU Minimum Statement on Humanism''] (1996)</ref>}}

== Secular humanism ==

== Secular humanism ==

[[Secular humanism]] is humanism that is [[Atheism|atheistic]] in nature. It is an idea in which man is self-centered, is an animal and God is not involved. People who are secular humanists do not believe in God and focus on things to better themselves, such as money and other earthly wealth. They do not believe in God so they can justify their self-centered pursuits.

[[Secular humanism]] is humanism that is [[Atheism|atheistic]] in nature. It is an idea in which man is self-centered, is an animal and no god is involved. People who are secular humanists do not believe in God and focus on things to better themselves and humanity, such as democracy, peace, a flourishing economy, a high standard of living, and other earthly pursuits<ref>http://www.ihumanism.org/2005/01/the-10-points-of-humanism-a-definition.html</ref>. They do not believe in any gods or spiritual matters, which is a factor in their earthly pursuits.

=== Infighting within the Secular Humanism faction of atheism caught on tape ===

=== Infighting within the Secular Humanism faction of atheism caught on tape ===

''See also:'' [[Atheist factions]] and [[New Atheism]]  

''See also:'' [[Atheist factions]] and [[New Atheism]]  

[[Paul Kurtz]] is an [[atheism|atheist]] [[philosophy|philosopher]] who formerly taught at the State University of NY at Buffalo. Dr. Paul Kurtz founded the modern [[secular humanism]] movement which is a form of philosophical skepticism. In addition, he also founded the organization the Center for Inquiry which focuses on promoting secular humanism. In 2009, Dr. Kurtz experienced the humiliation of being stripped of his leadership position at the Center for Inquiry.<ref name="godless">[http://www.buffalonews.com/2010/04/18/1023513/redirecting-a-long-life-of-godlessness.html Redirecting a Long Life of Godlessness]</ref>  Dr. Kurtz described this humiliating event as a "shattering blow".<ref name="godless"></ref>

[[Paul Kurtz]] is an [[atheism|atheist]] [[philosophy|philosopher]] who formerly taught at the State University of NY at Buffalo. Dr. Paul Kurtz founded the modern [[secular humanism]] movement which is a form of philosophical skepticism. In addition, he also founded the organization the Center for Inquiry which focuses on promoting secular humanism. In 2009, Dr. Kurtz lost his leadership position at the Center for Inquiry.<ref name="godless">[http://www.buffalonews.com/2010/04/18/1023513/redirecting-a-long-life-of-godlessness.html Redirecting a Long Life of Godlessness]</ref>  Dr. Kurtz described this humiliating event as a "shattering blow".<ref name="godless"></ref>

Currently, there is an ideological struggle within the [[secular humanism]] faction of atheism concerning how militant the movement should be which primarily arose post [[New Atheism]] movement which is a more militant form of atheism. (see also: [[Militant atheism]] and [[Atheist factions]]).  [[Paul Kurtz]] is against the secular humanism movement becoming more militant but some newer followers of secular humanism disagree with Kurtz.<ref name="godless">[http://www.buffalonews.com/2010/04/18/1023513/redirecting-a-long-life-of-godlessness.html Redirecting a Long Life of Godlessness]</ref>  Dr. Kurtz described this humiliating event as a "shattering blow".<ref name="godless"></ref>  

Currently, there is an ideological struggle within the [[secular humanism]] faction of atheism concerning how militant the movement should be which primarily arose post [[New Atheism]] movement which is a more militant form of atheism. (see also: [[Militant atheism]] and [[Atheist factions]]).  [[Paul Kurtz]] is against the secular humanism movement becoming more militant but some newer followers of secular humanism disagree with Kurtz.<ref name="godless">[http://www.buffalonews.com/2010/04/18/1023513/redirecting-a-long-life-of-godlessness.html Redirecting a Long Life of Godlessness]</ref>

On October 10, 2010, a contentious exchange between members of the [[Secular Humanism]] faction of atheism founded by Paul Kurtz and the atheist Ron Lindsay was caught on tape.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hniP6Ivr5g Video - Part one][http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2Wgc Video - Part 2]  During the exchange Ron Lindsay said that infighting has been occurring within the Secular Humanism faction of atheism for years.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2WgcPaul Kurtz and Ron Lindsay Argument Audio Part Two]</ref> A Paul Kurtz supporter said that Kurtz was censored by Ron Lindsay and his supporters and driven out of the organization that he founded (Center for Inquiry).<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2Wgc Kurtz and Ron Lindsay Argument Audio Part Two]</ref>  Lindsay claimed, however, that Kurtz voluntarily resigned from the organization he founded and Kurtz was never censored. Furthermore, Lindsay said that Kurtz's idea of a "planetary federation" was impractical. <ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2Wgc Kurtz and Ron Lindsay Argument Audio Part Two]</ref>  Kurtz countered that he was never allowed to publish why he resigned from the organization and that he was censored by the organization that he founded.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2Wgc Kurtz and Ron Lindsay Argument Audio Part Two]</ref>

On October 10, 2010, a contentious exchange between members of the [[Secular Humanism]] faction of atheism founded by Paul Kurtz and the atheist Ron Lindsay was caught on tape.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hniP6Ivr5g Video - Part one][http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2Wgc Video - Part 2]  During the exchange Ron Lindsay said that infighting has been occurring within the Secular Humanism faction of atheism for years.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2WgcPaul Kurtz and Ron Lindsay Argument Audio Part Two]</ref> A Paul Kurtz supporter said that Kurtz was censored by Ron Lindsay and his supporters and driven out of the organization that he founded (Center for Inquiry).<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2Wgc Kurtz and Ron Lindsay Argument Audio Part Two]</ref>  Lindsay claimed, however, that Kurtz voluntarily resigned from the organization he founded and Kurtz was never censored. Furthermore, Lindsay said that Kurtz's idea of a "planetary federation" was impractical. <ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2Wgc Kurtz and Ron Lindsay Argument Audio Part Two]</ref>  Kurtz countered that he was never allowed to publish why he resigned from the organization and that he was censored by the organization that he founded.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2Wgc Kurtz and Ron Lindsay Argument Audio Part Two]</ref>

==Criticism==

==Criticism==

[[Image:Lahaye-family-01.jpg|right|400px|thumb|from Tim LaHaye, ''The Battle for the Family'', 1982.]]

[[Image:Lahaye-family-01.jpg|right|400px|thumb|from Tim LaHaye, ''The Battle for the Family'', 1982.]]

Humanism has been criticized by a number of Christian authors, given its rejection of God's authority and elevation of fallen man in His place. [[R.J. Rushdoony]] said: {{cquote|Since World War II in particular, the humanistic establishment of the United States has been in a steady if not covert war against Biblical faith and law. It has steadily overturned long-standing landmarks of Biblical law in favor of humanistic law. It has begun to prosecute Christian groups which will not submit to regulations and controls.<ref>Rushdoony, R.J. "Sovereignty and Law" in ''Sovereignty''. Ross House Books; Vallecito, CA; p. 7 (2007)</ref>}} Critics have also pointed out that pagan humanist advocates "have made 'socialization' of the child the main purpose of American education." Humanistic education does not focus on "the traditional and generally accepted virtues" stressed by the "Judeo-Christian principles taught by most families at home," but on theories of "[[moral relativism]] and situation ethics" which are "based on predominantly [[Dialectical materialism|materialist]]ic values found only in man's nature itself" and "without regard for the Judeo-Christian moral order, which is based on the existence and fatherhood of a personal God."<ref>Onalee McGraw, ''Secular Humanism and the Schools: The Issue Whose Time has Come''; Heritage Foundation, Washington, DC; (1976).</ref>

Humanism has been criticized by a number of Christian authors, given its rejection of the Christian God's authority and elevation of fallen man in His place. [[R.J. Rushdoony]] said: {{cquote|Since World War II in particular, the humanistic establishment of the United States has been in a steady if not covert war against Biblical faith and law. It has steadily overturned long-standing landmarks of Biblical law in favor of humanistic law. It has begun to prosecute Christian groups which will not submit to regulations and controls.<ref>Rushdoony, R.J. "Sovereignty and Law" in ''Sovereignty''. Ross House Books; Vallecito, CA; p. 7 (2007)</ref>}} Critics have also pointed out that pagan humanist advocates "have made 'socialization' of the child the main purpose of American education." Humanistic education does not focus on "the traditional and generally accepted virtues" stressed by the "Judeo-Christian principles taught by most families at home," but on theories of "[[moral relativism]] and situation ethics" which are "based on predominantly [[Dialectical materialism|materialist]]ic values found only in man's nature itself" and "without regard for the Judeo-Christian moral order, which is based on the existence and fatherhood of a personal god."<ref>Onalee McGraw, ''Secular Humanism and the Schools: The Issue Whose Time has Come''; Heritage Foundation, Washington, DC; (1976).</ref>

==References==

==References==