Quote# 68415
By the way, humanism caused atheism. Humanism was arounda long time before it was finally defined in the humanist manifesto.
My opinion is that the Humanist Manifesto basically spelled out in formal terms the unwritten doctrine that many lived by since the first human rebellion against God. The only difference is that the Humanist Manifesto, being somewhat recent, includes and supports Darwinism, and outright mentions Darwinism. (Darwin was a devout Christian, by the way, who denounced his theories on his deathbed because apparently he felt guilty about them and I think that was because the church was against them).
Darwin, of course, and his evolutionist theories did not exist in ancient times, obviously. But the general doctrine of atheism has been around for centuries, and I'd also venture to say that there may have been a kind of humanist manifesto written centuries ago, as well - only not called by the name Humanist Manifesto.
Atheism is definitely nothing new, you're right, but the root is basic humanism - that is, a belief that humans are, in essence, their own Gods - that there is no higher power for humans to answer to; that humans are the highest power there is.
Atheists, whether one cares to admit this or not, believe that there is no higher spiritual power than themselves. There is no God, therefore people are the higher intelligence and/or supreme beings.
lexiii,
Colorado Springs Gazette 46 Comments [12/10/2009 7:47:46 PM]
Fundie Index: 30
Submitted By: Cheb Ghobbi