Saturday, October 20, 2012

Unpack of Humanist Manifesto III

“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 (HM3): WARNING #1 – The opening statement could not be any more offensive to the God of the Bible than it is already.  The phrase “without supernaturalism” clearly defines any god as, worse than non-existent, completely irrelevant (see Romans 1 for Biblical consequences).  What is more, it is incongruent with the empirical data.  No human has ever accomplished the set of feats described.
 





“The lifestance of Humanism—guided by reason, inspired by compassion, and informed by experience— encourages us to live life well and fully. It evolved through the ages and continues to develop through the efforts of thoughtful people who recognize that values and ideals, however carefully wrought, are subject to change as our knowledge and understandings advance.”
HM3: WARNING #2 – The water is starting to get deep here.  For example, suppose, being subject to change, the present value of reason is greatly diminished and the ideal of compassion is severely eroded.  The lifestance of Humanism is then washed away by its own decree.  In other words, you can’t have it both ways.  If you want relativism, then you can’t have any secure place to hang your hat.  You can’t take a stance at all, and as the adage goes .. you will fall for anything.

“Knowledge of the world is derived by observation, experimentation, and rational analysis.  Humanists find that science is the best method for determining this knowledge as well as for solving problems and developing beneficial technologies. We also recognize the value of new departures in thought, the arts, and inner experience—each subject to analysis by critical intelligence.”
HM3: WARNING #3 – I point out here that:  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Proverbs 1: 7
 
“Humans are an integral part of nature, the result of unguided evolutionary change. Humanists recognize nature as self-existing. We accept our life as all and enough, distinguishing things as they are from things as we might wish or imagine them to be. We welcome the challenges of the future, and are drawn to and undaunted by the yet to be known.”
 
HM3: WARNING #4 – Most manifestos come to a place where logic breaks down completely.  It must be part of the curriculum in Manifesto Writing 101.  We have come to that place in HM3.  Does the humanist know everything?  By their own manifesto; the answer is NO.  Does the humanist know half of everything?  I would guess they would say NO.  Let’s assume the humanist knows half of everything.  Is it possible that God is in the half of everything that the humanist does not know?  The answer is YES.  So, when the humanist deliberately and repeatedly ignores things like billions of individual experiences of supernatural influence, empirical evidences of guided or designed processes, and probabilistic analysis of intelligent first cause; yet, claims they are “distinguishing things as they are from things as they might wish or imagine them to be” and claims they “are drawn to and are undaunted by the yet to be known”  it is hard to take them seriously.






“Ethical values are derived from human need and interest as tested by experience. Humanists ground values in human welfare shaped by human circumstances, interests, and concerns and extended to the global ecosystem and beyond. We are committed to treating each person as having inherent worth and dignity, and to making informed choices in a context of freedom consonant with responsibility.”
HM3: WARNING #5 – Might just as well have said; Humanists ground values in shifting sand.  Let’s be clear.  The humanist is now saying that since the dawn of the first human, who was brought about through an unguided process from nothing, each and every one of them had the permanent characteristic attributes of ‘worth’ and ‘dignity’ and this is pronounced by the authority of the Humanists a small sect of homo sapien sapiens (wise wise man) or humans themselves.  The only trouble is, some of the humans disagree.  In fact, most of the 10 to 15 billion humans throughout history would probably disagree.  At the very least they would demand that the humans had varying degrees of ‘worth’ and ‘dignity’.  Why should we believe the humanists?  Oh yea, they found it out by the gods of Science and Reason which may prove to be bogus once our future understanding is refined.

"Life’s fulfillment emerges from individual participation in the service of humane ideals. We aim for our fullest possible development and animate our lives with a deep sense of purpose, finding wonder and awe in the joys and beauties of human existence, its challenges and tragedies, and even in the inevitability and finality of death. Humanists rely on the rich heritage of human culture and the lifestance of Humanism to provide comfort in times of want and encouragement in times of plenty."

HM3: WARNING #6 – “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” – Psalm 14: 6  But what kind of fool says it does not matter?  “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’   This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”” – Matthew 22:37-40



“Humans are social by nature and find meaning in relationships. Humanists long for and strive toward a world of mutual care and concern, free of cruelty and its consequences, where differences are resolved cooperatively without resorting to violence. The joining of individuality with interdependence enriches our lives, encourages us to enrich the lives of others, and inspires hope of attaining peace, justice, and opportunity for all.”
HM3: WARNING #7 – This sounds great and I agree 100%.  Just remember:  Jesus said, ““I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5.

“Working to benefit society maximizes individual happiness. Progressive cultures have worked to free humanity from the brutalities of mere survival and to reduce suffering, improve society, and develop global community. We seek to minimize the inequities of circumstance and ability, and we support a just distribution of nature’s resources and the fruits of human effort so that as many as possible can enjoy a good life.”
HM3: WARNING #8 - “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” – Romans 12:3


“Humanists are concerned for the well being of all, are committed to diversity, and respect those of differing yet humane views. We work to uphold the equal enjoyment of human rights and civil liberties in an open, secular society and maintain it is a civic duty to participate in the democratic process and a planetary duty to protect nature’s integrity, diversity, and beauty in a secure, sustainable manner.”
HM3: WARNING #9 – Ok, I wonder how the following would play out if the humanist was in charge.  We have a six year old boy misbehaving in Walmart.  His parents verbally correct the youth to no effect.  The boy’s father comes over gives the boy three quick sharp smacks on the back end.  The boy cries convincingly for two whole minutes and discontinues the bad behavior.  The father is swiftly reported to the humanist authorities.  What happens next?

“Thus engaged in the flow of life, we aspire to this vision with the informed conviction that humanity has the ability to progress toward its highest ideals. The responsibility for our lives and the kind of world in which we live is ours and ours alone.”

HM3: WARNING #10 – Man had some high ideals at the Tower of Babel.  Our ways are not His ways.  I would recommend the humanist read Romans 3.  And yes we are responsible for our actions.  That is why each and every one of us needs a savior.  JESUS saves!