Paper On Secular Humanism

CRITICAL THINKING PAPER

Secular Humanism

Lori M. Warren

APOL104-D027

August 13, 2017

1. The Question of Origin – (How did life begin? How did mankind come into existence?)

A worldview is defined as a comprehensive conception or apprehension of the world, especially from a specific standpoint (Merriam-Webster 2017). Secular Humanism is a philosophy pertaining to naturalism and maintains a standpoint related to scientific theories and unrelated to religion or a belief in God. This worldview supports the theory that man is capable of determining moral standards and can obtain fulfillment from oneself. This worldview is based on the beliefs according to atheism, naturalism, evolution, and relativism.

In Secular

The Question of Identity – (What does it mean to be human? Are humans more important than animals?)

Secular Humanism support the belief that there is no meaning to be human, that life is merely a result of a scientific process. They believe that humans are the product of nature. Although a dominate lifeform, humanists believe that doesn’t make them special in any way, and they are an animal species of the primate order. Basically, they report that humans are nothing more the evolutionized apes. As such, animals are no different than humans with regards to dominion.

Christianity supports that humans were created with purpose and specifically with dominion over animals. Supporting the belief in hiearchy over the animal species, the Bible states, “Then God said, Let us make human beings in our image to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, and all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scourry along the ground. So God created man in His own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female He created them” (Gen 1:26-27). Christians believe in their God-given, intended lives and as the most superior lifeforms on earth to not only exist as a human body but to house a spirit from

Life can be measured by the level of happiness that is achieved by satisfying one’s own needs and desires. Human worth is measured by what one can contribute to the community or world as a whole. Events in life are random, and life is based on circumstances and situations. Humanists are responsible for themselves. On the contrary, Christians base their existence on a miraculous event of God, to glorify God by bearing God’s image, and to represent His love. Christians confirm that God is their Father and they were created as His children, “And I will be your Father and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Cor