Secular humanism is a sector of philosophy, which advocates cause, laws, seeks for human enjoyment, and certainly dismisses supernatural and religious doctrines as the foundation of morality and executive decision-making. It's a lifestyle centered on the techniques of making life interesting and enjoyable. Certainly, this is the religion of the day in the modern world as people are more educated, sophisticated, and advanced in almost everything unlike in the past when human beings were still ignorant and superstitious. Secular humanists are non-atheists who portray themselves as nonreligious and base their knowledge more on philosophical and scientific approaches (Howard 2).For a very long time Christianity has been seen as the only source of guideline to humanity; believing and trusting in the supernatural being for survival, protection, giver, and God considered as the only one to determine your destiny. Great thinkers and philosophers through their experiences have come to negate the earlier theories and develop a field of secular humanism where they are comfortable with a worldview of naturalism. Here, the physical laws of the universe are the driving force i.e. they believe more on what they see rather than what they think it should be. The supernatural creatures like gods, spirits, demons, and dreams are for the illusion world. However, supernatural actions like miracles and psi phenomenon, like ESP, telekinesis are not discharged by humanists but are observed with high sense of uncertainty (Fritz et. al).
Unlike Christians, secular humanists are organized into philosophical systems and there genesis of origin is based on the ideas and experiences of classical Greek philosophers like Stoics and Epicureans. These philosophers never thought of anything related to the supernatural being to solve their problems, rather they would carry out their own investigations based on the natural laws they came up with solutions which according to them are sound and manageable unlike the Christians who just pray and expect things to happen. With our sophisticated nature, we should accept the fact that most of the things happen just the way we plan and not by chance. Scientists believe in the act of doing and analyzing; coming up with questions, hypothesis, and formulating data to reach a conclusion. Humanists base their observations on scientists' approaches and determine critically what is good for them that can make live enjoyable. In most cases, also humanists constantly rely on the relevance reason, past individual experiences, and general history to produce an ethical basis, which provides meaning to live. The scientific methodology is therefore the most reliable resource of data pertaining the facts and faults of the universe we all live in. Nevertheless, scientists on the other side with their inventions and innovation will continue expanding our reasoning and approaches of live (Vosse 39).
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Our lifespan is so short that before we start enjoying the fruits of our labor, it ends. Humanists therefore look for alternatives ways of happiness here on earth unlike the Christians whose salvation is in heaven. i.e. they claim that Christian happiness is when one dies but fundamentalist insist that liberal happiness is here on earth since the speculations that there is heaven is based on illusions and wonders of creation that some might have been behind all this. The fact is no concrete explanation is there to proof this allegation so the way is secular humanism for those who are still undecided. Christianity says the end of all being is the glory of God, while humanism say the end of all being is the happiness of man (Puritan). These two sides try to justify their means but in the end we should not criticize, the other for each has a foundation for their existences (Flynn 2). The modern improved standard of living calls for change in our mode of thinking as well as how we respond to issues in our environment. Concerning morality, secular humanism does not give a certain trend of morality or code of conduct but it tries to direct by offering explanations and inventions of moral laws. Evangelical and Christian doctrines have not changed much as such; in fact, it is rigid on cultural practices and Christian beliefs. In this computer era and technologically advanced society, Christian, Islamic, or Kantian beliefs are unreasonable but we can still find a way of harmonizing the two sides to reduce conflicts and confusions. For proper functioning of the community, there need to be established global universal standards that promote absolute morality while maintaining ethical values and regulations (Fritz et. al).Secular humanists and great philosophers like Plato, John Stuart, John Rawls, and Immanuel Kant nevertheless, believe on such standards. They clearly state that they can be achieved through the development of social morality that can be enhanced by motivation, scientific theories, and experiences rather than the by trust and faith in the supernatural being contrary to the fundamentalists who whole heartedly believe that God is the only way out to achieving such standards. "Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live; it is asking others to live as one wishes to live" (Oscar Wilder). This statement highlights how humanists respect others' personality and principles. An apprehension of this life that requires dedication to building it beneficially through excellent thoughtfulness of ourselves, past, and artistic success while re-examining the attitude of those against us (Flynn 4).Uniqueness of secular humanism occurs to me as deeply rooted in the steadiness existing between cognitive and emotional obligations. Paul Kurtz established that knowledge which in this case is cognitive and determination and love (emotion) are the most humanist qualities. Cognitive power is centralized in the naturalistic worldview, while emotional power is centered on the beneficial ethical viewpoint. The two factors are important to secular humanism and are the essential elements that differentiate it with religious humanism. Although secular humanism greatly don't go by the rules of god, they on the other hand opposes tribalism, robbery, and bullying on the rule of ethics but Christians state that these group of individuals who are immoral get favors from god! This is contrasting because god should always advocate for the peaceful existences rather than condoning vices, which brings isolation and discrimination in the society (Howard 17).
Secular humanism submits a coherent ethics laid on human experiences. It is consistent where their products determine ethical preferences. These ethics pleads to science, reason, and experience to proof its ethical rules. Analysis can examines the actual world results of moral decisions and prejudicially confirms their conclusion. From the humanists point of view it argues that all human communities including the Christians consistently develops consent decencies on consequential rules. Millennia of man's experiences have brought forward centre of common moralities divided among all individuals. Democracy, freedom, social justice, and human happiness are the major objectives of secular humanist ethics. According to Owen Flanagan, ethics is the consistent analysis of conditions surrounding the world, persons, and groups of individuals that allows for human thrive. These conditions comprise choice from want and fear; choice of inquiry, choice of conscience, and choice of self-govern. Secular humanism seizes upon itself the clear project of liberating individuals from unlawful management of the society: the political management of exploitive rule, ecclesiastical management of classified religion, including the social management of community and family anticipation, seasonal morality, and dictatorship in the society. Everyone should be weary of his/her own environment for that is where we all dwell and expect to built ourselves there (Flynn 3).In addition, secular humanism establishes the values of creativity as well as self-realization and globalization. It allows the right of criticism by teaching, through laws that are created by ethnic communities or the accepted religious teachings. Finally, secular humanism promotes social and cultural variability, encouraging intermarriages, and adaptation, moderating opinions to conserve static traditional and religious classifications (Howard 37).Any movement or sect has its advantages and disadvantages. Secular humanist is not an exceptional so we should learn to scrutinize new inventions that come our way and try to weigh the pros and cons. If the pros outweigh the cons, then it is good to be part of the group for we are living in a highly competitive world, which requires our collaboration and togetherness. Being flexible and adaptive is all that it takes to accept changes in our society. As much as Christian hates the secular principles the more they continue loosing follows so they are the ones who are suppose to implement the way forward so as to win and maintain trust of their members.