There are seemingly well-intentioned teachers, scholars, scientists, and academicians who are working to make the world a better place, but they are also doing the work of the devil.  I am referring to secular humanists.  Mormon tells us that “whatsoever thing persuadeth men to . . . believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil.”  This is exactly what secular humanists are doing – they are persuading people to disbelieve in God.

It wouldn’t be so bad if they kept their atheism to themselves, but they don’t.  They are the modern day Korihors who go about persuading people that there is no God, no divine law, and that “everyone fare[s] in this life according to the management of the creature.”  A major Korihorian tenet of secular humanism is that the key to human prosperity is mankind’s own abilities.  It claims that we can achieve lasting peace and happiness through human ingenuity, reason, and strengthening humanity through science and technology (compare to Alma 30:17).  There is absolutely no place for God in achieving lasting peace and happiness according to this belief system.

Secular humanism has become more than a system of beliefs.  It is now an organized religion.  Its gods are science and philosophy.  Its old testament is the book of human reason.  Its new testament is the book of nature.  Its holidays are the summer and winter solstices.  Its priests are highly educated evolutionary spin doctors and academicians who are ever learning without coming to the knowledge of the truth.  Its missionaries are teachers who openly criticize notions of intelligent design in front of our young children.  Its “churches” and “meetinghouses” are websites that promote atheism and denounce Christian beliefs 24/7.  And its current leader is a highly successful author, scholar, and retired professor of philosophy named Paul Kurtz.

There are positive teachings in secular humanism.  There is an emphasis on freedom of choice, moral values, ethics, reason, and scientific progress.  These are worthwhile pursuits, but as they say, “the proof is in the pudding.”  In this case the pudding contains a dangerous mixture of a denial of godly existence, influence, and authority.  Like a snare hunter, secular humanism lures people with attractive bait, and then springs the trap of atheistic dogma.  That atheistic dogma traps individuals in a world devoid of hope and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Here are two questions regarding the secular humanists.
 
1. Deep down inside do some of them truly believe in a supreme being, as did Korihor?  I think the answer is yes. 

2. Will those who are intentionally deceiving others meet the same sort of fate as Korihor?  I don’t know.  I’ll leave that one up to the Lord.

Korihor had no evidence that God does not exist, and neither do the secular humanists.  They have not been able to disprove the existence of divinity with their intellectualizations and pedagogical ramblings.  Yet, like Korihor, secular humanists have plenty of reasons to believe in a supreme being.  As Alma pointed out, the scriptures, the earth and its motion, all things upon the earth, and all the planets bear witness of the existence of a supreme creator (Alma 30:44).  But until the learned secular humanists humble themselves and exercise a particle of faith, the Lord will not reveal himself to them (2 Nephi 9:42).

I am hopeful and prayerful, but am not holding my breath.
 


Comments

S.Faux

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 5:25:13 pm

Dave C:

Well, I guess you can get away with saying such things about secular humanists. Me, I've got to work with them.

Let's remember the good laws (Alma 30:7) in the time of Korihor, which state that if a man did not believe in God, then "there was no law to punish him" (Alma 30:9). Further, "there was no law against a man's belief" (Alma 30:7, 11). In Book of Mormon times, atheists had freedoms, just like theists.

Personally, I believe AofF #11 applies just as much to atheists as to theists.

Our beliefs hold up quite well on their own. I don't worry too much about secular humanists. In fact, I put my arms around them, teach with them, learn from them, teach to them, and generally try to create a "diversity university." The best ideas survive. The idea of God has not extinguished. Neither have Departments of Religion.

 

NorthboundZax

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 9:39:12 pm

"It wouldn’t be so bad if they kept their atheism to themselves, but they don’t." - Curiously, drop the 'a' in atheists and you will see the exact beef many atheists have with theists.

I've read the OP twice now, and I have to say, I'm not seeing where the alarm is. The 'proof in the pudding' fourth paragraph indicates that a dangerousness of a non-belief in god far outweighs emphasis on freedom of choice, moral values, ethics, reason, and scientific progress. Does it really?

 

Dave C.

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:06:31 pm

Northbound,

You are not seeing where the alarm is?

Here, let me help you.

The following secular humanist council web page lists papers they are promoting. Pay particular attention to the paper on Joseph Smith.

http://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php?section=main&page=dangerous

Sincerely,

Southgoing Zax.

 

Dave C.

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:10:30 pm

Faux,

I like you comments because many of them strike a common ground. I agree with all you've said.

I work with secular humanists as well. Some are friends and colleagues. Most that I've associated with keep their views to themselves and don't try to push them on others. As Alma states, they have a right to their views.

My beef is with those who actively try to spread their atheism.

 

Jared

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 12:10:49 pm

Dave,

I always appreciate your posts, especially your scathing criticisms of humanism. I think it's telling (like you mentioned in your pioneers of science post) that modern evangelists of secular science like Richard Dawkins are such strong humanists. I think it's unfortunate that science has become so secularized; I really think it hinders its progress.

 

Dave C.

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 4:53:55 pm

Thanks, Jared.

I too think it is very unfortunate that science has become so secularized. We have become so secularized that we have forgotten our main benefactor of truth and science, the Lord.

 

Jeremy Wilson

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 6:15:28 pm

"My beef is with those who actively try to spread their atheism"

Think about what you are saying for one second. Why is it alright for Mormons to "spread [our beliefs]" through proselytism and missionary work (every member a missionary), but it's not alright for people who believe differently than we do?

I have been a member of the church for 27 years, and frankly it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up when I hear comments like this. Almost every secular humanst I have ever met has been a good person, an "honorable man of the earth", with good intentions and "abounding in good works". I would prefer a secular humanist any day of the week as opposed to a Mormons who "draw near [god] with their mouths, but their hearts are far from [him]".

Listen to what they have to say the next time they a discussion comes about. Once you get past the differences you have, you might be suprised at just how enlightning your conversation might be! It is the height of pride to think that nothing someone else has to offer is of worth to us.

 

Dave C.

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:26:53 pm

Let me enlighten you a bit. Secular humanists are promoting their atheism in schools, universities, and government. Don't believe me? Visit their website.

Read 'em and weep.
http://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php?section=main&page=29

Now the last I checked Mormons were not spreading their gospel in schools, university classes, and government institutions.

This enlightenment has come free of charge.

 

Dave C.

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:45:05 pm

Jeremy,

Re: secular humanists being "honorable man of the earth."

You are right that they are mostly honorable men of the earth, but I might add that they are "honorable men of the earth who [have been] blinded by the craftiness of men" (D&C 76:77). One source of that craftiness is the atheistic spirit of secular humanism that pervades our culture.

 

Jeremy Wilson

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 6:50:55 pm

Every group composed of separate individuals is heterogenous in the sense that every person is different. By lumping all "Secular Humanists" or "Atheists" or "Rational Thinkers" into one pot, we commit the same error that leads to so much hatred of Mormons in this day and age.

And on the topic of Proselytism: The golden rule states, "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." According to this teaching, a Mormon cannot be a good member (as every member should be a missionary) and still roll their eyes at attempts by others to proselyte their own beliefs unless they are practicing a world view so entrenched in hypocrisy that it would have made Jesus himself shudder.

One thing has proven itself throughout history: Truth will rise to the top. Why get uptight about something you disagree with unless you're afraid that maybe their beliefs have some substance?

Just some thoughts to mull over.

 

Dave C.

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 8:34:19 am

Jeremy,

I am uptight about secular humanism for the reasons mentioned above in the post. They can believe and do whatever they want, but when their beliefs turn to social activism then they've gone too far.
The same can be said for homosexuals. I have no problem with their personal beliefs and if they choose to be active homosexuals, why should I care? But they have become social activists, pushing their ideals into mainstream culture.

As active Latter-day Saints it is our duty to identify and take a stand against such movements. I'm not going to stand by and let wickedness have free reign. Are you?

 

Jeremy Wilson

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 10:36:07 am

I'm glad you're trying to think about your positions on issues for yourself rather than just accepting them because someone else says you should. If everyone began to truly think through their own opinions on emotionally charged topics, many of the problems we see in our society today could begin to be resolved.

Are secular humanists trying to go "mainstream"? Yes, and I say more power to them. As the saying goes, "The proof is in the pudding." If there is merit to it, then it will flourish, and if not, then it will fail. There is nothing inherently wrong with any group of individuals attempting to proselytize their beliefs, as long as they respect the beliefs of those who believe differently.

On this related topic, you mentioned the homosexual movement, and their "pushing their ideals into mainstream culture." If they were wrong to do so, then weren't we, as a church, in the same wrong for all of our involvement in Proposition 8?

It is important to take a stand for things you believe. It is integrity to make your actions consistent with your belief of right and wrong. But so much hatred and pain has been brought about historically by people claiming to do just that (Spanish Inquisition, witch trials, etc.). If you want to take a stand for your beliefs, if you want to support the faith of those who believe as you do, if you want to help to uplift and persuade men to come unto Christ (the Christ of love and tolerance and respect), then by all means please do it. The world needs more of it.

But if by taking a stand, you stand "against such movements," please realize look at your opposition to the freedoms of others and realize that similar reasoning was used to prevent slaves from being freed, to prevent blacks from integrating into mainstream society, and even to drive Mormons out of their havens.

I'm not trying to hijack this thread or anything--I simply have found the discussion interesting and felt that I could add the value of my opinions to the table. Thanks for hearing me out. Ultimately, it is up to each of us to decide the best way to follow our convictions.

 

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