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Tuesday, 22 April 2008

The many faces of Humanism

We carried a story a few days ago about how RE in British schools would soon include Humanism.

Here's a take on that from the think tank Ekklesia that's worth a read. A short snip:

Part of the issue here is that it is arguably more correct to say that there is no such thing as humanism but rather humanisms. Philosophies as different as Marxism, existentialism, pragmatism and Christianity itself have all claimed to be a humanism.

The writer, Mark Vernon, also says that he fears Humanism will be taught as opposition to other systems.

"[T]he interest in, and flourishing of, humanism is closely tied to its historic and present diversity," he concludes. "Both will be eroded if its relationship with religion is presented as a zero-sum game."

Posted

2 comments:

  1. AnonymousTue Apr 22, 03:14:00 pm BST

    buck280weak387The think tank Ekklesia is correct. There are various ideas claiming to be humanist with a small H, but there are many kinds of Christianity claiming to be Christian too.

    Is the Mormon church, called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, one which we should all call Christian? The Pope says that only the Roman Catholic Church is the valid one.

    The Humanist ethical tradition is clear.

    Ekklesia is trying to rubish the competition. They should know better.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Michael MartinTue Apr 29, 02:33:00 pm BST

    I'm sure we had little "humanist perspective" sections in our RE lessons at school anyway. Or that might have been during what can only be described as "political correctness class", i can't remember... they where both full of waffle degrading to humanity.

    ReplyDelete

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