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'''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.

'''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 [[pagan]] 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.

==Origin==

==Origin==

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.

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==

==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 secular 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>}}

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 pagan 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.

==Classification as philosophy, worldview, or religion==

==Classification as philosophy, worldview, or religion==

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>

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 pagan 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.]]

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>

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>

==References==

==References==