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'''Humanism''' is an essentially [[atheism|atheistic]] philosophy from the European [[Renaissance]] (based on classical philosophy). It places humanity and the [[Materialism|material]] at the center of philosophical inquiry and rejects [[God]] and [[religion]]. It had a major impact in shaping modern art and ways of thought, in particular [[liberal]] [[junk science]].

'''Humanism''' is a [[philosophy]], [[worldview]], and religion<ref>Potter, C.F. & C.C. [http://books.google.com/books?id=v9EnAAAAYAAJ&q=humanism+a+new+religion&dq=humanism+a+new+religion&hl=en&ei=9otLTc2DJoOyuAOl4_Q3&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAA ''Humanism, A New Religion''] Simon and Schuster; (1930)</ref> that places humanity and the [[Materialism|material]] at the center of philosophical inquiry. It rejects [[God]] and theistic [[religion|religions]], instead seeing "man as the measure of all things."<ref>Burkhardt, F & Otto, M.C. [http://books.google.com/books?id=sx30EuuYoG8C&lpg=PA195&dq=%22man%20as%20the%20measure%20of%20all%20things%22&pg=PA195#v=onepage&q=%22man%20as%20the%20measure%20of%20all%20things%22&f=false ''The cleavage in our culture: studies in scientific humanism in honor of Max Otto'']; Books for Libraries Press, Freeport N.Y; p. 195 (1969). </ref> Its tenets originate from pagan [[Ancient Greece]] and classical philosophy. It was revived (in a somewhat different form) during the European [[Renaissance]], but faded and re-emerged in the 20th century with a significant secular and atheistic emphasis. It continues to have a major impact in shaping modern ways of thought, making its presence felt in such fields as legislation, [[liberal]] [[junk science]], education, and art.

A movement that developed in [[Renaissance]] Europe, with the rediscovery of classical Greek and Latin works that had been thought lost, Humanism sought to return to "original sources".  It argued that the height of western civilization had been in the classical period, and with the fall of Rome, most knowledge had been lost, and the much of the knowledge that remained had been corrupted by false traditions.  It was the responsibility of the scholar, therefore, to rediscover the original Greek and Latin texts, and separate real wisdom from false interpretation.

In an environment of widespread paganism, humanism first emerged in the thought of Ancient Greece.

This movement had a profound effect on society, and, with its emphasis on classical texts and the rejection of much of the [[Roman Catholic]] religious tradition that developed in the Middle Ages, helped lead to the [[Protestantism|Protestant]] [[Reformation]], and, in fact, many of the new humanist [[Liberal Bible Translations|liberal Bible translations]], such as [[Erasmus]]'s Greek New Testament, were important sources for both [[Martin Luther]]'s translation of the Bible and the King James Version of the Bible. See the [[Conservative Bible Project]].

In the times of [[Renaissance]] Europe, various classical Greek and Latin works (thought lost) had been rediscovered. This saw the rise of [[Christian Humanism]], which argued that the height of [[Western civilization]] had been in the classical period. However, with the fall of Rome, much knowledge had been lost, suggesting that much of the knowledge that remained was corrupted by false traditions. It was therefore the responsibility of the scholar to rediscover the original Greek and Latin texts, and thereby separate false interpretations of reality from real wisdom.  

Humanists also looked to Ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration as to how to develop society and political structures. The poet [[Petrarch]] rediscovered writings by the ancient Roman orator and politician [[Cicero]], and Cicero's ideas about the role and structure of government inspired the humanists to reconsider established views about society and call for expanded civic participation in the state. In addition to Cicero, other classical sources were also consulted and referred to. [[Niccolo Machiavelli]] wrote his "Discourses on Livy", in which he commented on the history of ancient Rome written by the Roman historian [[Livy]], and used Livy's history to show the virtues of the Roman Republic and how a republican state should behave.

Proponents of Christian humanism looked to Ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration on how to develop society and political structures. The poet [[Petrarch]] rediscovered writings by the ancient Roman orator and politician [[Cicero]], whose ideas about the role and structure of [[government]] inspired the humanists to reconsider established views about society and call for expanded civic participation in the state. In addition to Cicero, other classical sources were also consulted and referred to. [[Niccolo Machiavelli]] wrote his "Discourses on Livy", in which he commented on the history of ancient Rome written by the Roman historian [[Livy]], and used his writings to show the virtues of the Roman Republic and how a republican state should behave.

 

This movement had a profound effect on medieval society. With its emphasis on classical texts and the rejection of much of the [[Roman Catholic]] religious tradition that developed in the Middle Ages, this form of humanism helped lead to the [[Protestantism|Protestant]] [[Reformation]]. Many of the new humanist [[Liberal Bible Translations|liberal Bible translations]], such as [[Erasmus]]'s Greek New Testament, were important sources for both [[Martin Luther]]'s translation of the Bible and the King James Version of the Bible.

==Secular Humanism==

==Secular Humanism==

A principal element of secular humanism is the assumption of fundamental [[human rights]] - which may include a right to life, to liberty, freedom of speech, the right to pursue happiness, a right to a family life, and similar things. However, humanism does not claim these rights are given by God, but are an inherent property of human intelligence and worthy of defending, although the exact definition of rights is not universally agreed upon by humanists. Humanists encourage self will and independent thought in all matters, which can include [[Judeo-Christian]] as well as Humanist principles.

 

A principal element of secular humanism is the assumption of fundamental human rights - which may include a right to life, to liberty, freedom of speech, the right to pursue happiness, a right to a family life, and similar things. Humanism does not claim these rights are given by a God, but are an inherent property of human intelligence and worthy of defending, although the exact definition of rights is not universally agreed upon by humanists. Humanists encourage self will and independent thought in all matters, which can include [[Judeo-Christian]] as well as Humanist principles.

It was originally created as a religion by the Unitarian clergyman Charles Francis Potter<ref>[http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0914FB3458137A93C7A9178BD95F468685F9"CHARLES POTTER, CLERGYMAN, DEAD"], ''New York Times'', October 5, 1962, </ref> and offered up as a substitute for Christian [[fundamentalism]]. In the early 1980's media controversies involving secular humanism as a religion emerged<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=ZcVSiD1BU3EC ''Making the Manifesto: The Birth of Religious Humanism''], William F. Schulz, [[Unitarian Universalist Association]] of Congregations, 2002, ISBN 1558964290, 9781558964297, 148 pages </ref>.

Debate continues as to whether humanism is a philosophy, worldview, religion, life stance, or all of the above. Its modern incarnation saw it as the creation of a religion by the [[Unitarianism|Unitarian]] clergyman Charles Francis Potter<ref>[http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0914FB3458137A93C7A9178BD95F468685F9"CHARLES POTTER, CLERGYMAN, DEAD"], ''New York Times'', October 5, 1962</ref> and offered up as a substitute for Christian [[fundamentalism]]. In the early 1980's media controversies involving secular humanism as a religion emerged.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=ZcVSiD1BU3EC ''Making the Manifesto: The Birth of Religious Humanism''], William F. Schulz, [[Unitarian Universalist Association]] of Congregations, 2002, ISBN 1558964290, 9781558964297, 148 pages</ref><ref>Potter, C.F. & C.C. [http://books.google.com/books?id=v9EnAAAAYAAJ&q=humanism+a+new+religion&dq=humanism+a+new+religion&hl=en&ei=9otLTc2DJoOyuAOl4_Q3&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAA ''Humanism, A New Religion''] Simon and Schuster; (1930)</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.]]

Critics of secular humanism have charged secular 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''. (Washington, DC: Heritage Foundation, 1976).</ref>

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 secular 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>

 

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==See also==

==See also==

*[[Humanistic Psychology]]

*[[Christian Humanism]]

*[[Psychology]] - some branches deny [[The Fall]] and its effect on human problems

*[[Thomas More]]

*[[Thomas More]]

 

[[Category:Renaissance]]

 

[[category:philosophy]]

[[Category:Worldviews]]

[[Category:Worldviews]]