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Is Secular Humanism a religion? A federal district judge thinks so. Last week, Judge Brevard Hand of Mobile, Ala., ruled that certain textbooks cannot be used in the public schools.
The proscribed books -- many of them are also used in Colorado schools -- explain scientific disciplines like geology and biology. They advocate personal responsibility for personal actions. They recognize that not all children come from two-parent households.
In the judge's opinion, these 44 books do not represent sincere efforts to deal with objective reality. Instead, such books actually promote a system of religious belief -- Secular Humanism.
Our constitution requires the separation of church and state. That means that religious doctrines cannot be advocated in state-supported schools. So books which espouse or promulgate the doctrines of a religion cannot be used in the classroom.
If Secular Humanism is indeed a religion, then it certainly stands to reason that our schools should not promote Secular Humanism, any more than our schools should encourage students to sacrifice bulls to Zeus.
I've never been able to find out just what Secular Humanism might or might not be. But I do feel reasonably certain that Secular Humanism isn't a real religion.
For one thing, real religions send missionaries to enlighten heathen American neighborhoods. Many times I've raced out of an afternoon shower to answer the doorbell. My peace and dignity have been disturbed by Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Pentecostals, Moonies, Baptists and Seventh-Day Adventists. But never by anyone who said he was a Secular Humanist and that if I didn't read his tracts, I would roast in molten sulfur.
For another, the people who follow real religions talk
about their beliefs. You always hear things like As a
born-again Christian, I deserve your vote.
Even the
devotees of more exotic doctrines will corner you at
parties and babble interminably about their past lives and
tarot readings. But have ever heard a Secular Humanist
discuss his creed? Does anyone ever say As a practicing
Secular Humanist, I wouldn't dare lie to you about how much
you're going to like this car
?
Real religions have chapels, churches and cathedrals. At
last count, Salida's 4,870 residents could pick from 19
congregations. However, there is no listing in the local
Yellow Pages for Churches - Secular Humanist.
Of
course, this is God's Country. But even in Denver, a
worldly metropolis with churches of Krishna Consciousness
and Spiritual Unfoldment, there are no listed Secular
Humanist congregations.
Real religions have preachers on radio and television. Anytime you drive, especially late at night, your search for music can be disrupted by the breathless opportunity to get a certified prayer shawl in exchange for a $25 free-will love offering. You can see the Rev. Pat Robertson command the hurricane to spare Virginia. You can watch Oral Roberts raise money to prolong his temporal life while explaining how it feels to grapple with Satan.
But I've never encountered The Old-Time Humanism
Hour
on any radio I've ever owned. My cable company
doesn't offer the Secular Broadcasting Network,
and
I've yet to turn on the TV and find some Secular Humanist
beseeching the faithful to send money so that he could
continue his vital ministry.
Real religions have bodies of doctrine. You can't be a Baptist unless you believe in total immersion, you can't be a good Muslim without visiting Mecca, and you must accept the Apostles' Creed to be a Roman Catholic. But where's the creed or catechism for Secular Humanism? What is it that Secular Humanists believe in that other folks don't? How does one define or recognize a Secular Humanist?
Along with doctrines, real religions have disagreements. Consider Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland. Or Shi'ites and Sunnites in the Middle East. Or Sikhs and Muslims in India.
Secular Humanists are said to believe in evolution, but when have you read of violence between Gradualists and Catastrophists? Where are those bloody wars between various branches and sects of Secular Humanism? How many infidels and heretics have the Secular Humanists stretched on the rack or burned at the stake?
I don't know where Judge Brevard Hand got the information for his decision. As nearly as I can tell, Secular Humanism isn't a religion at all. Not only is it impossible to define, it's nothing like any religion I ever heard of.
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