Got Humanism?
  by Steven Mahone

David Noebel (Summit Ministries, Manitou Springs) and Tim LaHaye ("Left Behind" series) recently co-authored "Mind Siege," a book that (supposedly) documents a religious takeover in this country that is occurring right this very minute in every public classroom and courthouse in the nation. The conspicuous thing is that to make their case, Noebel and LaHaye had to redefine religion so broadly that it pretty much ended up being whatever they wanted it be. So it should come as no surprise that the "religion" they are so concerned about isn't even a religion at all! Their bogeyman is humanism.

It took me all of 15 minutes to reference three dictionaries and an encyclopedia to discover that a consensus definition of religion is "the doctrine, dogma, and revelation that is associated with the worship and reverence of God(s) and/or the supernatural." Secular humanism, on the other hand, describes the philosophy and values that are derived from an investigation of our human condition using naturalistic reasoning and the scientific method. The bottom line is that it matters very little anyway how you end up defining religion, since any philosophy that is used to affect our laws and public policy must be justified with empirical reasoning. Religious reasoning's only requirement is faith (which is just a nice way to say "I don't have to have a reason!") This is not to say that religion and faith will always lead to a worldview that is in opposition to critical thought, but when it does, what, as a nation, are we to do?

Actually, this question has already been answered quite well. The First Amendment to our Constitution coupled with the due-process clause of the 14th Amendment, provides us with a brilliant remedy: governmental neutrality when it comes to issues of religion! It's obvious to any reasonable person (as well as our courts) that this is what Jefferson, Madison, and Adams were trying to do when they established our founding principles -- all you have to do is consider that a secular nation can accommodate all faiths, whereas a religious society can accommodate but one. Compare this sentiment with the troublesome statement from Noebel/LaHaye that, "No humanist is fit to hold office."

Someone's religious convictions may very well enhance the life of that particular individual and it would be arrogant and even "non-humanistic" to deny anyone that personal liberty. Yet, it would be equally arrogant to expect that a free and open nation can impose, or even favor, a specific belief if that belief CANNOT be shown to apply with equal rationale to all. Otherwise, tyranny will be the inevitable result -- just check out any history book.

Our humanity belongs to all of us. If we sacrifice any part of it to please someone's concept of a "Great Designer," then we do so out of selfishness and fear. If Noebel and LaHaye can vilify the ethics of Da Vinci, Twain, Sanger, Einstein, Gandhi, Sagan, and countless others, then something is certainly under "siege," and I seriously doubt that it's godliness.

If this debate interests you, then tune in to local radio station KGFT 100.7 FM on Tuesday, February 26 from 4-6 p.m. to hear DJ Grothe (Council for Secular Humanism) and Dr. David Noebel discuss humanism, religion, and our society from two differing perspectives. Call the show with your questions or comments at 531-5555.

The public is invited to hear DJ Grothe in person at the next Freethinkers of Colorado Springs monthly meeting. His talk will be an informative and positive discussion about the future of our humanity that is absent of fortune telling, divine prophecies, and threats of hell -- just a logical and reasoned view of what's ahead. Call 535-0320 or just come to All Souls Unitarian Church, 730 N. Tejon St. on Wednesday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m. DJ is also a professional magician so you never know what may happen!

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