Have Atheists Hijacked Humanism (And How Humanists Can to Get it Back)

[rug]

Posted: 10/29/2015 5:58 pm EDT
Mike Mennonno

Recently the American Humanist Association asked for feedback on its Facebook page, which seems to focus less on humanism, per se, than on the admittedly very worthy issues of separation of Church and State, religious extremism, and atheists' rights. Some would argue that humanism should be primarily concerned with religious issues as it impacts nonbelievers. But while I'm as concerned as the next humanist about school prayer and graven images of the Ten Commandments on the courthouse lawn, my ask was simple: I'd just like a little more humanism in my humanism.

I get it: Atheism is having its day, with big-name mainstream figures like Richard Branson and Keira Knightley coming out as atheist without much fuss. And why should there be any? The Pew Research Center has found that one-fifth of the U.S. public - and a third of adults under 30 are on the same page. That's the highest ever in Pew's polling, and the number is growing at a rapid clip.

And it's not hard to see why. Voltaire once said: "Religion began when the first scoundrel met the first fool." But at the moment, those poll results seem to suggest the scoundrels are losing their mojo. Religion in the popular imagination has become little more than a trashy reality show, with Josh Duggar, Kim Davis, and the clowns at Westboro Baptist in starring roles. It's no wonder more and more people want nothing to do with it.

If only the religious right's influence were limited to "Pastors of LA." Unfortunately, religion still causes harm in real life. And that is what has always given atheists their sharp edge. It's not surprising that as the religious right has become more insufferable and shrill so has its opposition. There's no question the cynical coöptation of religion by those seeking political power, while not new, must be called out constantly. Luckily activist atheists never tire of pointing out the warped values of religious hucksters. But inevitably there's mockery involved, and while well-earned, it's neither humanist in tone nor does it advance understanding of humanism among those unfamiliar with it. That's fine, not all atheists are humanists.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-mennonno/atheists-hijack-humanism_b_8411476.html

[Humanist_Activist]

1. I don't get where the hijacking would occur, Humanism is a set of ethical beliefs...

a way to examine ethics and morality.

Most Humanists are secular in outlook, with many calling themselves atheists, agnostics, non-theists, etc. Some are also religious humanists, though it appears this group is shrinking.

He's right in one sense, most mainline Christians(not just protestants), at least in the U.S. do hold to many humanist values, but, generally, they do not label themselves as such, nor would they join an organization like the AHA. They have their own faith centered organizations, lay organizations and churches to join for the requisite activism/community.

I was raised a cafeteria Catholic and by the time I stopped believing in Church teachings entirely, and realized I was an atheist, only then did I call myself a humanist. My values, my morality and my ethics didn't change, just the labels.

Humanism isn't even universal among atheists, some are objectivists, nihilists, etc.

[Humanist_Activist]

2. Also the author seems to assume that "Christian" equals being nice or good...

and delves into no true scotsman territory in addition to making an offensive comparison. Saying secular humanists are better Christians than fundies.

[Jim__]

3. Reading that, I was looking for some examples.

The essay didn't have any. The comments section was full of them.