History of Secular Humanism
Secular Humanism, as a distinct worldview, arose out of the Enlightenment, a movement in 17th- and 18th-century Europe that emphasized reason, science, and individual autonomy. Its ideological roots can be traced to philosophers like David Hume, Immanuel Kant, and later, Charles Darwin. However, the term Secular Humanism began to crystallize in the 20th century with the publication of the Humanist Manifesto I (1933), largely penned by Roy Wood Sellars, a materialist philosopher, and endorsed by religious liberals like Unitarian ministers. It was expanded in the Humanist Manifesto II (1973) and III (2003) to reflect its increasingly atheistic and naturalistic orientation.
These manifestos clearly abandoned theistic beliefs, placing man at the center of meaning and ethics. Major historical developments such as the Scopes Trial (1925), the sexual revolution, and court decisions removing prayer from schools helped elevate Humanism as a guiding philosophy in Western institutions. Today, it dominates much of public education, mainstream media, and progressive politics.
Principles and Foundational Assumptions
Secular Humanism begins with the denial of God and the supernatural. There is no personal Creator, no divine lawgiver, and no final judgment. Jesus Christ is dismissed as either a myth or merely a moral teacher. Man is not fallen but evolving, and salvation is irrelevant—progress and fulfillment are achieved through science, education, and self-determination.
In this worldview:
- Truth is subjective or based on empirical data.
- Morality is situational, created by societal consensus.
- Authority lies in reason, not revelation.
- Destiny ends in the grave.
By contrast, Biblical Christianity affirms:
- A holy, personal God who created all things.
- Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
- Man as fallen and in need of redemption.
- Salvation by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9).
- The Bible as the final and infallible authority.
- Eternal destinies: heaven or hell.
Christianity is God-centered; Secular Humanism is man-centered.
Modern Influencers and Institutions
Today, Secular Humanism is championed by a host of influential figures and institutions:
- Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion, leads the charge with the so-called “New Atheists.”
- Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens gained fame for ridiculing religion in public forums.
- Institutions like the American Humanist Association, Freedom From Religion Foundation, and Center for Inquiry lobby for a fully secular society.
In education, public school curricula often reflect secular humanist ideals by excluding creationism, promoting evolutionary theory, and encouraging moral relativism. Media outlets like VICE, Salon, MSNBC, and The Young Turks frequently promote humanist ethics. On YouTube, channels like Cosmic Skeptic and Rationality Rules serve as missionaries of humanist ideology to millions of viewers.
Psychological and Cultural Appeal
Secular Humanism appeals to modern people by offering the illusion of autonomy without accountability. It preaches a gospel of tolerance, personal freedom, and scientific progress—values that resonate in a post-Christian, materialistic culture. Its emotional hook lies in telling people they are “basically good” and capable of building utopia—without repentance or divine help.
Culturally, it affirms sexual libertinism, feminism, and individual identity construction—appealing to those disillusioned by traditional morality. Yet, it provides no coherent answers for guilt, death, or meaning. In contrast, the biblical gospel offers grace, not flattery. It exposes sin, but also offers forgiveness through Christ—something Secular Humanism cannot provide.
Practical Outcomes and Cultural Fruits
The cultural fruits of Secular Humanism are on full display:
- Moral confusion: No objective right or wrong leads to the normalization of abortion, gender confusion, and assisted suicide.
- Family breakdown: Traditional marriage is devalued, leading to fatherless homes and fractured communities.
- Spiritual barrenness: With no transcendent purpose, depression and suicide rates climb.
On the surface, it promotes equality, freedom, and innovation. But dig deeper, and we find cultural decay, moral collapse, and spiritual blindness. As Scripture says, “Professing to be wise, they became fools” (Rom. 1:22).
Criticisms that Biblical Christianity Poses to Secular Humanism
Christianity critiques Secular Humanism on several grounds:
- Logical inconsistency: Humanism claims objective values while denying objective standards.
- Moral contradiction: It celebrates tolerance but is intolerant of biblical morality.
- Historical falsification: It downplays Christianity’s role in building Western civilization.
- Spiritual deception: It blinds people to their need for God (2 Cor. 4:4).
Apologists like Francis Schaeffer, Greg Bahnsen, Nancy Pearcey, and C.S. Lewis have exposed Humanism’s internal contradictions, showing that when man is the measure of all things, chaos follows.
Criticisms that Secular Humanism Offers to Biblical Christianity
Secular Humanists argue that Christianity:
- Promotes myth over reason.
- Stifles scientific progress and critical thinking.
- Relies on an outdated, patriarchal text (the Bible).
- Rejects personal autonomy and sexual liberation.
- Cannot adapt to modern moral sensibilities (e.g., LGBT rights).
Leaders like Peter Singer and Daniel Dennett view Christianity as emotionally manipulative and socially regressive.
Christian Counter-Responses
Christian thinkers respond robustly:
- Christianity does not oppose reason; it grounds it in God’s unchanging nature (Isa. 1:18).
- Far from suppressing science, Christianity birthed it—Kepler, Newton, and Pascal were theists.
- The Bible’s moral teachings are not cultural relics but eternal truths.
- The Christian worldview alone gives meaning to dignity, love, and justice.
Moreover, Secular Humanism is self-refuting: If everything is a product of chance, then reason itself is unreliable. Salvation by grace is offensive to human pride, but it is the only real cure for sin and death.
Chart of Fundamental Differences
| Category | Secular Humanism | Biblical Christianity |
|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Authority | Human reason | God’s Word (Bible) |
| View of God | Denied or irrelevant | Personal, holy, sovereign Creator |
| View of Man | Evolving, autonomous | Fallen, in need of redemption |
| View of Jesus | Irrelevant or merely human | Son of God, Savior, Lord |
| Basis of Morality | Cultural consensus or utility | God’s character and commandments |
| Salvation | Unnecessary or through progress | By grace through faith in Christ |
| Final Destiny | Annihilation or legacy | Eternal heaven or hell |
| Purpose of Life | Self-fulfillment | Glorify God and enjoy Him forever |
| View of Sin | Social construct | Rebellion against God |
| Role of Scripture | Human mythology | Divine revelation |
Spiritual Nature of the Conflict
This is not a mere intellectual disagreement. It is a spiritual battle. As Ephesians 6:12 says, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood…” Secular Humanism is part of the “philosophies and empty deceit” warned about in Colossians 2:8. Christians must see through the deception and recognize the enemy’s strategy: to exalt man and suppress God.
This calls for prayer. Pray for those trapped in this worldview. They are not our enemies—they are captives in need of rescue (2 Tim. 2:26). We must fight with truth, love, and faith.
Why Contemporary Christians Must Be Equipped
Today’s Christians must wake up. Secular Humanism has saturated schools, media, and public policy. Many young people are walking away from faith, seduced by its promises. That’s why theological literacy, cultural awareness, and apologetic readiness are vital.
Know the truth. Love the lost. Stand firm.
Study the work of:
- Francis Schaeffer (How Should We Then Live?)
- Greg Koukl (Tactics)
- Nancy Pearcey (Total Truth)
- John Lennox, Ravi Zacharias, and Frank Turek
Equip yourself. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few
Robert Sparkman
RELATED CONTENT
Concerning the Related Content section, I encourage everyone to evaluate the content carefully.
Some sources of information may reflect a libertarian and/or atheistic perspective. I may not agree with all of their opinions, but they offer some worthwhile comments on the topic under discussion.
Additionally, language used in the videos may be coarse and do not reflect my personal standards, particularly in regards to leftist protesters and rioters.
Finally, those on the left often criticize my sources of information, which are primarily conservative and/or Christian. Truth is truth, regardless of how we feel about it. Leftists are largely led by their emotion rather than facts. It is no small wonder that they would criticize the sources that I provide. And, ultimately, my wordview is governed by Scripture. Many of my critics are not biblical Christians.
Feel free to offer your comments below. Respectful comments without expletives and personal attacks will be posted and I will respond to them.
Comments are closed after sixty days due to spamming issues from internet bots. You can always send me an email at [email protected] if you want to comment on something, though.
I will continue to add items to the Related Content section as opportunities present themselves.