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Non-Christian Worldview: Secular Humanism
Bo T. Laxton
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
RLGN 104: Christian Life and Biblical Worldview
Professor McKerley
September 21, 2025
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Non-Christian Worldview: Secular Humanism
Secular Humanism is defined by Hindson et al. (2016) as a worldview centered on human
and scientific reason as the ultimate authority for truth, ethics, and morality. Secular Humanism
rejects God as creator and the world as created by intelligent design. Secular Humanism makes
no room for a relationship with God; however, they worship self and man, which becomes their
god.
Origin
Humanity’s existence in Secular Humanism contrasts with Christianity in that they do not
hold to a creation account. Secular Humanism believes that science can reasonably explain the
evolutionary process, and there is no room for supernatural intervention (Affan, 2023). Man was
not created in God’s image but evolved from nothing into its own image and is therefore, their
own god. Evolutionary beliefs breed intolerance, indifference, hate, and purposelessness. Word
Count: 68
Identity
Identity in Secular Humanism comes from the root of philosophy. It reexamines the
nature of man from the Roman and Greek literature and was found to provide optimism for
human reason and human dignity (Affan, 2023). Affan (2023) demonstrated how humanism
stemmed from the response of man to the Renaissance, where man began to find liberation from
the confines of religion, considering the new age of reason and philosophy. In this new identity,
there was a rejection of the supernatural of the mainframe that man is able because he overcame
all obstacles to be his own authority. To be human means to be morally evolved, rationally able
to think, reason, empathize, and create on one's own (Hindson et al., 2016). It is the natural, not
the supernatural. The key identity issue with Secular Humanism is that man is not the most
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valuable creature. All creatures are equal in importance, and life is not valued as in Christianity.
This is the reasoning behind why life is not preserved, and abortion is overwhelmingly the first
discourse for humankind who desire to put themselves first. Animals are considered as important
as mankind because God is not involved as the creator, and the position of steward over the earth
was a position God ordained for man. Human life holds no more value or inherent worth than
that of an animal. We see this concept played out in mass genocides all over the world, including
abortions. Word Count: 214
Purpose
In secular humanism, a person’s purpose is self-designed and self-created instead of being
created for God’s purpose. Living a life of fullness means contributing to the overall good of
humanity. This is why non-Christians give to charities, because they feel obligated to contribute
to the world in which they live. They often live ethical lives; however, ethical living is
determined by their own reason and morality. However, morality isn’t based on divine
commands, but on emotions surrounding compassion, empathy, and reason backed by what can
be proved by the trial and errors of science (Affan, 2023). Word Count: 96
Morality
Morality is determined based on human experience and rational thought (Affan, 2023).
Morality is supposed to determine what is right or wrong. The worldview of the secular humanist
believes that right or wrong begins and ends with themselves and what they can reason through.
However, the Christian believes that right and wrong begin with Jesus and the Bible as inerrant,
infallible, and authoritative truth. For the secular humanist to promote ethics created by other
humans, right is defined as actions leading to positive outcomes for the greatest number of
people, while wrong is defined as actions that cause harm or violate the rights and the dignity of
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others (Affan, 2023). The state of secular humanism has ventured so far from either of these
definitions. Reason and logic seem to be fading for a new ideology. Hindson et al. (2016)
summarize morality for secular humanism as having no Divine lawgiver, but instead, having a
system of ethics for and from humans, which is inconsistent. Word Count: 135
Destiny
A person’s destiny is always a pondered element of any worldview. However, in secular
humanism, they have no use for the supernatural because they believe in philosophical
naturalism. There is simply death; a person ceases to exist, and no soul or spirit continues after
death (Hindson, 2016). Death is final. The only thing that is left is whatever legacy the individual
leaves behind, which is why the effort is so much to contribute to society. Secular humanism
simply rejects any ideas of the supernatural and that the soul could be immortal. Word Count: 91
Conclusion
Secular humanism is a worldview that comes in contrast to Christianity and a biblical
worldview. As I write this, I feel like I am writing a punchline to a joke. Simply put, today, it is
every person for themselves, and if you do not align with their belief systems, you are in danger
of their wrath, for no reason. It is the opposite of what the evidence says defines them. A couple
of things I learned from this worldview are that there is no hope. No foundation of mankind gives
anyone hope for something better. If everything begins and ends with mankind, then it is a sad
place with no chance for change. Another element learned from secular humanism is that it
breeds contempt for human life because it believes in origins as random happenstance and not
divine design out of love. In secular humanism, where is love? It seems elusive for anyone who
claims the secular humanistic worldview as their own. Because true love is in Christ alone and
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redemption is designed for those in rebellion towards him (Romans 5:8). Total Word Count: 926
References
Affan, M. (2023, April 17). Religious Tolerance According to Secular Humanism Model: An
Analytical-Critical Study. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/87ZYW
English Standard Version, 2016. Crossway Bibles.
Hindson, E., Etzel, G. B., & Guttierrez, B. (2016). Everyday Biblical Worldview: Exploring the
Christian faith. B&H Publishing
