Richards 1 Alanna Richards Mr.

Pichette Philosophy 20 December 2013 Humanist Manifesto Section One: Humanism and Christianity strongly disagree in certain areas of their respective belief systems. Here are some basic contrasts between these two beliefs: 1) To begin with, humanists think that the universe is self-existing and not created, it simply was, is, and always will be (HM1, A1). However, Christians believe that God created the universe and everything in it. 2) Humanists believe man has emerged from continual processes, otherwise known as evolution (HM1, A2). On the other hand, Christianity thinks that God created humans, as they are today and that there was no amount of evolution involved. 3) According to humanism, the dualism of the mind and body must be rejected (HM1, A3). This is completely contrary to the Biblical belief that there is both the natural world as well as the supernatural, sometimes referred to as mind and body. 4) In the Humanist Manifesto I affirmation eight, seeks pleasure and happiness in the present. Christianity looks toward the future and finds hope in the promise of Heaven. This does not neglect the present, but merely seeks to live for more than this world has to offer. 5) Humanists believe that men will have to stand up to adversity with their own knowledge and experience (HM1, A11). While that is partially true, Christians also couple this with trust in an unchanging, everlasting God who, unlike fickle emotions and conditional experiences, will remain constant. 6) Humanism claims religion is supposed

Richards 2 to benefit people in this life and bring them joy (HM1, A12). Christianity says that religion, specifically the belief in Jesus, gives you some satisfaction but will bring you joy in the next. Heaven is the promise and reward that comes with an unrelenting life. 7) In Humanist Manifesto II affirmation three, asserts that all moral values come from experience. On the other side of the spectrum, Christians believe that morals come from a God. 8) Humanists also say that the individual is the most important part of society, while Christianity claims that everyone else is more important than oneself (HM2, A5). 9) Humanism clearly states that people have the right to birth control and abortion (HM2, A6). Conversely, the Bible states that murder and sex before marriage is sinful as well as just outright wrong. 10) In the third Humanist Manifesto affirmation one, states that everything people know is from observation and experimentation. Christianity simply claims that people know things through their senses and rational thought as well as having faith in a belief, or in this case, in something greater than one self. Section 2: While humanists have the right to believe whatever they want, they give some faulty assertions, explanations, and reasoning. 1) In Humanist Manifesto I affirmation seven, the humanists only discuss one side of religion, otherwise known as card stacking. The humanists neglect to talk about the spiritual side of religion, which separates those with religion from those who do not believe in a particular belief system. 2) By claiming that religious institutions and churches need to conform to the modern world in order to function more effectively (HM1, A13). This simply jumps to conclusions about the fact the church is the thing that needs to change, especially when it has stood the test of time. Something that has been respected through the ages should not be so easily disregarded.

Richards 3 3) Saying that traditional religion is a damaging to society is pure subjectivism (HM2, A1). Without proof or evidence to back up this claim, it is simply meaningless and empty handed. 4) Humanists assert that all of the traditions and rituals of church prevent people from helping others, but without an actual cause, this is clearly a fallacy known as the phantom cause (HM2, A2). 5) In the Humanist Manifesto II affirmation two, suggests that