Humanism & Religion: Humanist Philosophy & the Philosophy of Religion
On the one hand, humanism is critical of traditional religions and religious ideologies; on the other hand, humanism is portrayed as a modern, philosophical replacement for religion. Some forms of humanism are explicitly religious. Thus, humanism can stands as both critic of and replacement for religion. Does that make humanism anti-religion because of its criticism, or pro-religion because it acknowledges the role religion has played in human culture and seeks to offer an improved version?
Humanism & Religion
Much of the time, the humanistic perspective on religion is critical: humanists critique religious dogmas, religious violence, religious history, and the belief in the supernatural common to so many religious systems. It is easy, then, to regard the relationship between religion and humanism as fundamentally antagonistic. But is that really all there is?
Much of the time, the humanistic perspective on religion is critical: humanists critique religious dogmas, religious violence, religious history, and the belief in the supernatural common to so many religious systems. It is easy, then, to regard the relationship between religion and humanism as fundamentally antagonistic. But is that really all there is?
Humanism & Gods
As with the supernatural generally, humanists are also not very concerned with gods specifically. Indeed, if it weren't for so many believers insisting upon the importance of their various gods, humanists probably wouldn't have much at all to say about their possible existence.
As with the supernatural generally, humanists are also not very concerned with gods specifically. Indeed, if it weren't for so many believers insisting upon the importance of their various gods, humanists probably wouldn't have much at all to say about their possible existence.
Humanism & Evil
One of the central concerns of religion and much that goes on in theology is that of evil and human suffering. Why do they exist and what can be done about them? A variety of different explanations and coping strategies have been devised in the various religions of the world, but most of them have been rejected by humanism.
One of the central concerns of religion and much that goes on in theology is that of evil and human suffering. Why do they exist and what can be done about them? A variety of different explanations and coping strategies have been devised in the various religions of the world, but most of them have been rejected by humanism.