 | Rev. Patrick Notley is the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church located at 525 N. Broadway in downtown Wichita. Reverend Notley received an MA in Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. Born in Denver, CO and raised on the East Coast, Reverend Notley along with his wife, relocated to Wichita in 1997 to join the church, where he is responsible for Evangelism Educational programs. You can reach Reverend Notley at (316) 263-0248 ext. 22 or by email at pwnotley@firstpresbywichita.org |
Religion
2005-12-29 14:16:00
What do Secular Humanists believe?
: My son and his wife (ages 26 and 24) have informed our family that they are no longer going to go to Church. After much thought, they have chosen to become 'Secular Humanists.' I had never heard of this before. All I can find is that this position is 'atheistic' in nature. My son and daughter-in-law say differently. I'm not sure they know what they believe or why. Can you help me understand what this faith or 'position' is about and how I might discuss it with them?
ANSWER: Those who ascribe to the ideals of secular humanism would say that they are nontheists as opposed to being atheists. While it might seem to be splitting hairs to claim to be nontheists is to suggest that they have no desire to relate to religion in general or God in specific. Atheists, by contrast, will claim that there is no God and thus continue to define themselves in relation to God. As I understand this form of philosophical thought, a secular humanist will rely upon their and society's ability to rationally conceive of what is right and what is wrong. Secular humanists are committed to critical reason, observable and factual evidence about the world and the scientific method of inquiry. It is their contention that through these rational methods a better, more just world can be made for all people. A primary touchstone for the secular humanist will be that of both personal freedom and personal responsibility. While I agree, in part, with the philosophical leanings of the secular humanist, I find them to be lacking in several areas. A primary point of departure for me is that the secular humanist can show no better degree of success in moving society toward being more just, healthy, etc. than the religious communities that they point to as failing through "religious dogma" to move toward a better world. So while there is the claim that rational, critical thinking is all that is necessary to make society better, there seems to be little movement toward that better society through the sole use of this method. In response to the specific question of how might the questioner discuss with their son and daughter-in-law their choice to be secular humanists, I would suggest that the most appropriate way would be to engage them in a time of inquiry. By this I mean to be honestly open to what secular humanism, as they understand this line of thought, is. This means that the basic method is to ask questions about this philosophy rather than to state that since you are not aware of this philosophy you doubt whether they know what they believe and why. I am in no way suggesting that the questioner should adopt or even agree with this form of thought. However, I am suggesting that the questioner allow for the possibility that they might learn something from open inquiry. The challenge for all people, including those who claim a specific faith tradition, is to not assume that your way is the only right way of understanding. As a person of faith how lives in the Christian understanding of God, I understand that I do not hold the only answer to who God is or how I am called to live in this world. Therefore I must be open to hearing the thoughts and beliefs of others, especially those with whom I may disagree; for it is in this exchange of ideas that growth can occur. So my advice is to ask them about their philosophical leanings; honestly and openly listen to what they have to say; engage with them in dialogue about what your faith suggests to you and why; and then form a conclusion on what they have said for yourself.
