Valenzuela 1 Jessica Valenzuela Mr.

Pichette Philosophy/Period 6 16 December 2013 Humanist Manifesto Project 10 Humanist Oppositions to Biblical Christianity: 1. The Universe is Self-existing and not created. (HM1, affirm. 1) This statement contradicts what the Bible says in Genesis 1:1. In the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth. 2. Man emerged as a result of a continuous process. (HM1, affirm. 2) There is no proof that humans emerged from a continuous process over millions of years. The Bible states in Genesis 1:27 that mankind was created by God in his own image. 3. Traditional Dualism of mind and body must be rejected. (HM1, affirm. 3) Biblical Christianity teaches of both a physical realm which includes the existence of God, angels, demons, and Satan. This is obviously contradictory to the humanistic rejection of dualism. 4. Humanist aim to foster the creative in man and to encourage achievements that add to the satisfactions of life. (HM1, affirm. 12) As a Christian one must believe that satisfaction in life ultimately comes from a relationship with the Lord. Bible believing Christians shouldnt aim for their own personal satisfactions but instead they should strive to live life bringing glory to God.

Valenzuela 2 5. Religions that place revelation, God, ritual, or creed above human needs and experience do a disservice to the human species. (HM2, affirm. 1) The Bible actually makes a big deal about loving others and helping the poor, hurting, and lost. Examples and teachings of this are given throughout the New Testament. 6. Moral values derive their source from human experience. (HM2, affirm.3) Christianity teaches that morals come from God who instilled them into our hearts. These morals are universal and fixed for all times. 7. The right to abortion should be recognized. (HM2, affirm. 6) The Bible clearly teaches that a child in the womb is truly a human child, who even has a relationship with the Lord. Scripture also repeatedly condemns the killing of the innocent. 8. Individuals should be permitted to express their sexual proclivities and pursue their life-styles as they desire. (HM2, affirm. 6) The Bible makes clear that sex is to be enjoyed within the boundaries of marriage between a male and female. As human beings we are sexual creatures and as sexual creatures we are called to honor God with our bodies. The attempt to enjoy sexual happiness without holiness is the root of sexual deviance. 9. Recognitions of an individuals right to suicide. (HM2, affirm. 7) Someone who truly has the Holy Spirit living inside them would not commit suicide. God is the author of life, therefore the giving and taking of life ought to remain in his hands. Suicide is a terrible tragedy but it does not negate the Lords act of redemption that gives us access to joy, hope, and the opportunity to live life in a relationship God. 10. The goal is to pursue lifes enrichment despite vulgarization, commercialization, bureaucratization, and dehumanization. (HM2, affirm. 3) The purpose of life as Christians is

Valenzuela 3 to bring glory to God in every aspect of life. This can be done by loving God first and loving other people so that one can be a light in a sinful world. In doing this, other people may come to know Christ and have everlasting life with him in heaven.

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10 Logical Fallacies found in the Humanist Manifesto: 1 .Generalization - HM2, affirm. 2: This affirmation generalizes all religions and other ideologies by stating that they impose on human advancement and progress. 2. Appeal to emotions - HM2, affirm. 11: This statement uses emotional ploy to make the reader concerned for the people with disadvantages in society. It makes Humanism look good because they care for these kinds of people. 3. Appeal to future - HM2, Para. 4: The writers appeal to the future when referring to what they assume will happen. They say that the future is filled with dangers but they cant possible know that. 4. Ad Hominem - HM2, Para 3: This statement is an ad hominem because it suggest that those who believe in salvation are unreasonable and ignorant for basing their beliefs on a mere statement that is harmful and fills people with false hope. 5. Contradiction - HM1, affirm. 10 and 7: This Is a contradiction because the Humanists state that there will be no religious emotions and attitudes or associated beliefs in the supernatural, yet they later say that people should have religious freedom. These two affirmations clearly contradict themselves. 6. Ad Lapidem - HM2, Para. 3: In this affirmation the Humanists suggest that Salvationism is harmful and diverts people with false hope yet they dont demonstrate or explain how this is to be true.

Valenzuela 5 7. Faulty Dilemma - HM2, Para. 17: This is a faulty dilemma because it suggests that either humans must learn to live together or we will all perish together. No other option is given. 8. Contradiction - HM2, affirm. 6: The Humanists claim that orthodox religions are intolerant and repress sexual conduct yet they press the issue that humans shouldnt be exploited sexually. 9. Subjectivism - HM2, affirm. 6: This affirmation claims that individuals should be permitted to pursue their sexual life-styles as they desire. This would be subjectivism because although the idea of having sexual freedom would appeal to many people, it doesnt mean that its morally right or good. 10. Appeal to Future - HM2, closing: The potential of humankind cant be predicted in the decades to come. Nobody can know if Humanism will better mankind as a whole.

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5 Questions for the Writers of the Manifestos: 1. If moral values derive from human experience, how can there be any ultimate right and wrong, or good and evil that is known universally, since everyone's experiences are different? (HM2, affirm. 3) I would ask this because it seems that the writers of the manifestos believe that there is no objective morality. If this is true then there is no bases on which we can know what is moral. They say to pursue lifes enrichment despite vulgarization and dehumanization but their standard of what is vulgar or dehumanizing may be different in the eyes of another person or group of people. 2. (HM2, affirm. 7) (HM1, affirm. 10) It was said in this affirmation that individuals should experience a full range of civil liberties including religious liberty. How can there be freedom of religion in a Humanist world when it was previously stated that there will be no religious emotions and attitudes and the belief in the supernatural is to be rejected? I would ask this question to expose the contradiction that the writers make in their affirmations. They make a big deal about the absurdity of Salvationism and how religion is a disservice to the human species. (HM2, affirm. 1) Then they go on to say that people need their religious liberty. Clearly these two affirmations contradict themselves. 3. (HM2, closing) In this closing, Humanism strives for a world of peace prosperity and happiness. A world where there is no more hate and all humankind lives together with shared humane values. Why do you believe that it could be possible for all of mankind to live in peace and strive for the betterness of each other in the decades to come? The idea of world peace and

Valenzuela 7 an end to hate seems a little too far-fetched and optimistic to me. Although I agree that a world like this would be nice, I dont believe that there is possible way to achieve this with Humanist ideas. We live in a broken world with so many conflicting ideologies and beliefs and cultures. It seems unconvincing to assume that all of mankind will be able to cooperate together for the common humanity of all people with the use of reason and compassion. 4. (HM2, affirm. 17) It is stated that we must learn to live openly together or we shall perish together. What do you mean when you say we will perish together? Not only does this statement contain a faulty dilemma, but it also doesnt explain what it even means to perish together. This statement is vague with lack of explanation. 5. (HM2, affirm. 13) This affirmation presents that the purpose of human life is the fulfillment and development of here and now. What is the greater purpose of life outside of our own selffulfillment? I would ask this because as soulless creatures with no life after death, it doesnt seem to matter what we do with our time alive. Striving to better and develop our society for the greater good seems meaningless if it all comes to an end anyways.

Valenzuela 8 3 Counter-Arguments to Humanism: 1. The manifestos state that moral values derive from human experience. If this is true then morality is merely subjective and there is no bases on which we know what is ultimately good and evil. Everyones human experiences are different therefore everyones idea of what is moral should be to. You then cannot say that the extermination of thousands of Jews by the Nazis was evil since they were only doing what they thought was good based on their own experiences and situations. However many would agree that genocide is in fact evil. This is because there is objective morality. Morals and values are absolute, constant, and are fixed by God who is perfect and just. Though as humans we were created in the image of God and have these morals written in our hearts, we are also sinful by nature due to the fall of Adam and Eve. Fortunately we do not need to bear the weight of our sin because Christ died and rose again so that we may have salvation and reunite with God the Father. 2. The Humanists make statements that appeal to the future throughout the manifestos. They suggest that Humanism will be the cause of a prosperous world in the decades to come as well as suggesting that if mankind doesnt adapt to Humanist worldview, we face a future filled with dangers and disasters and eventually it will lead to the human race perishing altogether. Humanism fails to explain how we can get to that point of being a prosperous and successful world community. They dont state what needs to be done and what needs to be changed in order for our world to advance together for the good of all people. 3. Humanism strives for peace, prosperity, freedom, and happiness in the world, they have a vision that will bring together each person as a citizen of a world community. Although I agree that a world of peace and happiness would be a better one, I dont find this vision to be

Valenzuela 9 very realistic. Humanism doesnt explain any concrete treatment approaches aimed at specific issues around the world. The Humanists also mention the urge to recognize the common humanity of all people. In stating this, humanism makes a big generalization about human nature that is not very believable considering the kind of world we currently live in. This just begs the question to the humanists. Are people basically good? Are there some individuals who are not capable of this? It doesnt seem very probable that all people will be able to come together voluntarily and intelligently in compassion and reason to create a prosperous world community. All have sinned and there are few who choose to dedicate their lives to following Christ. Jesus taught to love one another and be a light in a dark world. There will always be sin until the day that Christ returns and separates his children from the evil doers.

Valenzuela 10 Conclusion: After carefully reading and analyzing the Humanist Manifestos Ive come to see that Humanism, as laid out in the three manifestos is a weak and contradictory world view. I was able to find logical fallacies and contradictions all throughout the manifestos as well as viewpoints and statements that were not backed up by evidence or explained thoroughly. I can respect Humanisms desire for peace prosperity and a world where everyone works together for a better society without hate and turmoil. However this just isnt the reality of our world and the people in it. It also doesn't seem very realistic that this could happen. Lastly I continue to wonder how one can truly find purpose for their life with a Humanist outlook on life. If the physical world is all there is and there is no life after death and we are just creatures formed from many years of continuous process, how is someone able to find any meaning for their existence? Without purpose or meaning youre just meaningless and in my opinion hopeless. Despite this, I strongly believe that there is hope and it can be found in Jesus Christ who gives us a chance to be free from the evil of sin that has taken over our world. Through Jesus death on the cross I can have eternal life with my Father who spoke the universe into existence. To me that isnt an illusion or false hope. Its the only thing that makes sense to me.