Reflection Paper 700 words

Topic Secular Humanist Christian

“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, 2003

“Christians believe that Jesus entered our hell so we
could have his heaven – Jesus joins us in our

failures so we can join him in his family.”
Glen Scrivener

God
Humanists usually do not believe that God even
exists. Humanists believe mankind is the highest
entity. (“Man is the measure of all things.”)

God is the highest Entity. He is perfect in wisdom,
power, might, and love. He created us. He is to be
worshipped. We love Him because He first loved us.

Jesus
Christ

Jesus Christ, if he existed at all, was a mere
man. A historical figure with a Jewish heritage.
He may have been an interesting teacher,
perhaps even a prophet of God, but when he
died he stayed dead like any other human being.

Jesus Christ is God, in the flesh; born of the Virgin
Mary. He lived a perfect, sinless life. He died on the
cross to pay for our sins. He rose from the dead to
prove He had conquered sin, death, and hell. He
lives forevermore. When we repent of our sins and
receive Him as Savior and Lord, we get His peace,
joy, righteousness, purpose for living, forgiveness of
sins, and eternal life.

Creation

Evolution is considered a scientific fact (not a
theory) and anyone who disagrees is ignorant.
Evolution is the best way to explain the existence
of life, since secular humanists deny God’s
existence.

Scientific evidence (observable knowledge) and
Biblical revelation tell us that God is perfect Creator.
Refers to cosmos as “the creation” and not just
“nature” or “mother earth”.

The Bible

Considers the Bible of little interest. Believes the
Bible to be the work of humans and filled with
human error and contradictions. Does not
accept it as the authoritative Word of God.

Reverences the Bible as the divine, holy, inspired
and authoritative Word of God. Scripture gives us
“the whole counsel of God concerning all things
necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith
and life” (Westminster Confession).

Humanity

Humans are basically good. People should feel
good about themselves regardless of their
behaviour. Shame and guilt are dealt with by
positive self-talk. Healthy self-esteem is
paramount to healthy humanity.

Humans have a sin nature and do evil things. But
people have great value because we’re created in
the image of God and for God’s glory. God has
made each person unique. God has a great purpose
for each of us. Through repentance and faith in
Christ, people can have their sins forgiven and be
made into new creatures. Self-esteem is knowing
our identity as a new creation in Christ.

Sanctity
of Life

Man is a highly evolved animal and therefore
some human life is not special. Supports
abortion, euthanasia, and even infanticide in
some cases.

Humans are created in the image of God and for the
purposes of God, all life is precious. Abortion,
euthanasia, and infanticide are considered to be
horrific sins.

Sin

Rejects the idea of a “sin nature.” Believes that
whatever I want to do is ok, as long as it “doesn’t
hurt anyone else.” Tendency to rationalize
personal behaviour as fully acceptable and
worthy of defending, in some cases at any cost.

We are all guilty of violating God’s standards. All of
us have sinned. But we can be forgiven and
cleansed in Christ. God declares me to be forgiven
and gives me His righteousness as a gift when I
agree with Him about my sin.

Goals

Since this physical life is all there is, my goal is to
get as much happiness and gain as many things
as I can before time runs out and I cease to exist.
Humanists believe that human beings, if working
together, can build a better world. “Heaven” is
humanity at its best and “Hell” is religion having
its way in the world. Human reason,
compassion, and hope are highest values in life.

This life is very brief compared to eternity. What will
bring God the most glory. As individual humans live
to please God, it results in human flourishing and a
better society. A by-product of humans bringing God
glory is to experience joy, peace, contentment, and
ultimate human fulfillment. “The life of a Christian is
wondrously ruled in this world, by the consideration
and meditation of the life of another world” (Richard
Sibbes).

Sex

Since man is only a highly evolved animal,
sexual gratification is not to be denied as long as
it “doesn’t hurt anyone” and is considered
“consensual” with another. (who decides what
kind of behaviours “hurt” others? who measures
the psychological trauma caused by sexual
promiscuity? what about unwanted pregnancies?
risk of sexually transmitted diseases?)

Sex and sexuality is a gift from God, who created us
as sexual and spiritual beings, not purely physical
objects. Sex is to be celebrated within the context of
marriage between one man and one woman. Even
though sex outside of marriage may “feel good” for
the moment, it inevitably leads to disappointment,
frustration, and deep emotional pain and regrets. A
great blessing to the soul, or burden to the soul.

Morality

Some things are right for some people and some
situations that may be “wrong” for other people
and other situations. There is no absolute right
and wrong. Everything depends on the situation.
Man is the measure of all things, even morality.
to tell someone else that their behaviour is
“wrong” or “sinful” is considered to be intolerant.
Ethics is an ever-changing field of human
practice which must alter to fit the context and
the times.

God has established some things as absolutely right
and others as absolutely wrong. If God says that
certain behaviour is sin, it is wrong for us to
convince ourselves it’s OK. God sets the standard
for what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ in the world. Humans
are free to worship and believe what they want
(money, sex, power, etc) but must reap the
consequences of worshipping anything but God.
Warning people of this truth can be a great blessing
to individuals and society.

Family

Secular Humanists prefer to think of “family” in
larger groups of perhaps unrelated people. Many
secular humanists would affirm the legitimacy of
same-sex marriages or civil unions. Many would
deny the importance of fathers, encouraging
“single parenting by choice.” Many secular
humanists trust schools more than parents to
know what is best for children. Some humanists
believe that the child’s first responsibility is to a
representative of the state, not necessarily to the
parents. (For example, humanists often support
the right of a child to an abortion without parental
consent.)

Christians see the traditional family unit (father,
mother, and children) as created by God to
represent our relationship with Him. Christians
believe that, with some exceptions (e.g., abusive
parents), parents do a better job at raising children
than government organizations. Christians believe
children are to be responsible to and submissive to
their parents (unless the parent is requiring the child
to commit sin). Of course, Christians recognize the
importance of foster parents and stepparents in
family units.

adapted from an article by Steve Hall, May 2005. https://www.aboundingjoy.com/humanism_chart.htm

https://www.aboundingjoy.com/humanism_chart.htm

https://www.aboundingjoy.com/humanism_chart.htm