Two Religions: Humanism and Christianity
One cannot so easily define the complex problems of the world today; however, the basis of many of our problems is found in the two different “religions” which we refer to are “humanism” and “Christianity.”
Webster defines humanism as “a mode or attitude of thought or action centering upon distinctively human interests or ideals.” Some of the basic philosophy of the Humanist Manifesto set forth in 1933 clearly indicates Webster’s definition is correct, i.e. that humanists regard the universe as self-existing and not created, that man is a part of nature and that he has emerged as a continuous process (not created by God), that man’s religious culture is a product of his gradual development, and does not allow for any belief in God as a Supreme Being, Creator, Redeemer and Savior of man. Hence, man is all; he decides how he will live, who will live, and is in control of his own destiny.
There is no doubt that we do have in our very midst a “pluralistic society” which is increasingly bowing to humanistic philosophy as many of our basic teachings of Christianity are watered down and not being taught either in the Church or the schools. Perhaps this can best be illustrated in the teaching of situational ethics where even children are given a situation (many times moral situations) and allowed to decide what is right or wrong rather than being taught what is right. The same point may be made in teaching that there are “alternative life-styles” when God says there aren’t.
In the future when humanistic philosophies prevail, the time will come when humanism will one day be intolerant of Christianity and will not allow any Christian teaching. (Some think we have reached this point already.)
Surely God is looking for the Elijah’s of the day who will have the courage to say “How long will you halt between two opinions?” Yes, we must preach but we must also get involved in the affairs of our state and community and learn that it isn’t too late to work for laws to thwart the influence of humanism. Since every law is legislated by government, morality can be legislated for law without religion, which is doomed to humanistic laws. In Russia the religion behind the law is humanism. The religion behind the law is America is Christianity.
Recently I read that 75 percent of Americans still believe in God and the principles of the Bible. If we really believe and are willing to stand for our beliefs, the religion of humanism will wane and the Christian Religion will take its rightful place in our homes, our schools, and in the many Christian Churches of our land. The challenge before the Church of our day is to literally be the “Church” permeating all of society so that the false religion of humanism will not prevail in the minds and lives of those for whom we will be held accountable.