Reflection Paper 700 words

Topic Secular Humanist Christian

“Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability

and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.” – Humanist Manifesto III, 2003

“Christians believe that Jesus entered our hell so we could have his heaven - Jesus joins us in our

failures so we can join him in his family." Glen Scrivener

God Humanists usually do not believe that God even exists. Humanists believe mankind is the highest entity. (“Man is the measure of all things.”)

God is the highest Entity. He is perfect in wisdom, power, might, and love. He created us. He is to be worshipped. We love Him because He first loved us.

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ, if he existed at all, was a mere man. A historical figure with a Jewish heritage. He may have been an interesting teacher, perhaps even a prophet of God, but when he died he stayed dead like any other human being.

Jesus Christ is God, in the flesh; born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a perfect, sinless life. He died on the cross to pay for our sins. He rose from the dead to prove He had conquered sin, death, and hell. He lives forevermore. When we repent of our sins and receive Him as Savior and Lord, we get His peace, joy, righteousness, purpose for living, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life.

Creation

Evolution is considered a scientific fact (not a theory) and anyone who disagrees is ignorant. Evolution is the best way to explain the existence of life, since secular humanists deny God's existence.

Scientific evidence (observable knowledge) and Biblical revelation tell us that God is perfect Creator. Refers to cosmos as “the creation” and not just “nature” or "mother earth".

The Bible

Considers the Bible of little interest. Believes the Bible to be the work of humans and filled with human error and contradictions. Does not accept it as the authoritative Word of God.

Reverences the Bible as the divine, holy, inspired and authoritative Word of God. Scripture gives us "the whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man's salvation, faith and life" (Westminster Confession).

Humanity

Humans are basically good. People should feel good about themselves regardless of their behaviour. Shame and guilt are dealt with by positive self-talk. Healthy self-esteem is paramount to healthy humanity.

Humans have a sin nature and do evil things. But people have great value because we're created in the image of God and for God’s glory. God has made each person unique. God has a great purpose for each of us. Through repentance and faith in Christ, people can have their sins forgiven and be made into new creatures. Self-esteem is knowing our identity as a new creation in Christ.

Sanctity of Life

Man is a highly evolved animal and therefore some human life is not special. Supports abortion, euthanasia, and even infanticide in some cases.

Humans are created in the image of God and for the purposes of God, all life is precious. Abortion, euthanasia, and infanticide are considered to be horrific sins.

Sin

Rejects the idea of a “sin nature.” Believes that whatever I want to do is ok, as long as it “doesn’t hurt anyone else.” Tendency to rationalize personal behaviour as fully acceptable and worthy of defending, in some cases at any cost.

We are all guilty of violating God’s standards. All of us have sinned. But we can be forgiven and cleansed in Christ. God declares me to be forgiven and gives me His righteousness as a gift when I agree with Him about my sin.

Goals

Since this physical life is all there is, my goal is to get as much happiness and gain as many things as I can before time runs out and I cease to exist. Humanists believe that human beings, if working together, can build a better world. "Heaven" is humanity at its best and "Hell" is religion having its way in the world. Human reason, compassion, and hope are highest values in life.

This life is very brief compared to eternity. What will bring God the most glory. As individual humans live to please God, it results in human flourishing and a better society. A by-product of humans bringing God glory is to experience joy, peace, contentment, and ultimate human fulfillment. "The life of a Christian is wondrously ruled in this world, by the consideration and meditation of the life of another world" (Richard Sibbes).

Sex

Since man is only a highly evolved animal, sexual gratification is not to be denied as long as it “doesn’t hurt anyone” and is considered "consensual" with another. (who decides what kind of behaviours “hurt” others? who measures the psychological trauma caused by sexual promiscuity? what about unwanted pregnancies? risk of sexually transmitted diseases?)

Sex and sexuality is a gift from God, who created us as sexual and spiritual beings, not purely physical objects. Sex is to be celebrated within the context of marriage between one man and one woman. Even though sex outside of marriage may “feel good” for the moment, it inevitably leads to disappointment, frustration, and deep emotional pain and regrets. A great blessing to the soul, or burden to the soul.

Morality

Some things are right for some people and some situations that may be “wrong” for other people and other situations. There is no absolute right and wrong. Everything depends on the situation. Man is the measure of all things, even morality. to tell someone else that their behaviour is “wrong” or “sinful” is considered to be intolerant. Ethics is an ever-changing field of human practice which must alter to fit the context and the times.

God has established some things as absolutely right and others as absolutely wrong. If God says that certain behaviour is sin, it is wrong for us to convince ourselves it's OK. God sets the standard for what is 'right' and 'wrong' in the world. Humans are free to worship and believe what they want (money, sex, power, etc) but must reap the consequences of worshipping anything but God. Warning people of this truth can be a great blessing to individuals and society.

Family

Secular Humanists prefer to think of “family” in larger groups of perhaps unrelated people. Many secular humanists would affirm the legitimacy of same-sex marriages or civil unions. Many would deny the importance of fathers, encouraging "single parenting by choice." Many secular humanists trust schools more than parents to know what is best for children. Some humanists believe that the child’s first responsibility is to a representative of the state, not necessarily to the parents. (For example, humanists often support the right of a child to an abortion without parental consent.)

Christians see the traditional family unit (father, mother, and children) as created by God to represent our relationship with Him. Christians believe that, with some exceptions (e.g., abusive parents), parents do a better job at raising children than government organizations. Christians believe children are to be responsible to and submissive to their parents (unless the parent is requiring the child to commit sin). Of course, Christians recognize the importance of foster parents and stepparents in family units.

adapted from an article by Steve Hall, May 2005. https://www.aboundingjoy.com/humanism_chart.htm