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Can Christians be humanists and moralists?
September 10, 2014 at 9:49 am
(This post was last modified: September 10, 2014 at 9:54 am by Mudhammam.)
The question is not whether Christians can act moral or not, as they undoubtedly can, but is it also possible for a person who consistently derives their sense of morality from a book as anti-humanistic as the Bible (or if you're Muslim, the Qur'an) to actually be a moralist?--to ponder deeply the difficult moral dilemmas or social conflicts (sorry but you can't apply Jesus' few moral insights, such as the Golden Rule, to the majority of situations this might include) that often throw themselves at humanity--and be relied upon to arrive at sensible, rational, compassionate, and commendable moral convictions?
If any Christian finds my question comically condescending, well, how does it feel to have the tables turned?
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RE: Can Christians be humanists and moralists?
September 10, 2014 at 10:52 am
It is possible for a Christian to be a humanist and a moralist if he/she creates very specific interpretations of the bible that are very compatible with human rights and morality - You've certainly heard about pro-gay marriage, pro-choice, pro-euthanasia Christians, there are some - My girlfriend calls herself a Christian and she is pro-gay marriage and pro-choice (in spite of thinking abortion is morally incorrect - But she doesn't impose her morality) and pro-scientific knowledge.
Let's say I am a Christian who is crazy about human rights and humanist political/philosophical orientations - I could interpret certain passages of the bible to fit my love for human rights, it is possible. Now if it makes sense, that's a whole different question - If there's a passage saying You shall kill people X and Y I don't think it makes sense to make up different interpretations.
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RE: Can Christians be humanists and moralists?
September 10, 2014 at 11:36 am
A religious person acting upon a guide as perceived by atheists/ opponents to that guide would most certainly be acting immorally 
Humanism as I understand it is selfishly human centred, and would be against Christian morals. Humanism can be the pursuit of personal pleasure to the exclusion of other humans. Certainly non humans and environmental concerns, for example. Otherwise, secular humanism is pretty much in line and mimics Christian values. It all sounds good although I find its proponents have no grounding and can quickly switch to extreme selfishness because they have no loyalty to humanism.
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RE: Can Christians be humanists and moralists?
September 10, 2014 at 11:38 am
That isn't humanism.
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“Young earth creationism is essentially the position that all of modern science, 90% of living scientists and 98% of living biologists, all major university biology departments, every major science journal, the American Academy of Sciences, and every major science organization in the world, are all wrong regarding the origins and development of life….but one particular tribe of uneducated, bronze aged, goat herders got it exactly right.” - Chuck Easttom
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RE: Can Christians be humanists and moralists?
September 10, 2014 at 11:42 am
(This post was last modified: September 10, 2014 at 11:43 am by fr0d0.)
It's not what you want to call humanism Wolfie. But a humanist explained his position to me as that.
I also added about secular humanism, to include what you might associate with humanism.
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RE: Can Christians be humanists and moralists?
September 10, 2014 at 11:44 am
Then that humanist was wrong.
'The more I learn about people the more I like my dog'- Mark Twain
'You can have all the faith you want in spirits, and the afterlife, and heaven and hell, but when it comes to this world, don't be an idiot. Cause you can tell me you put your faith in God to put you through the day, but when it comes time to cross the road, I know you look both ways.' - Dr House
“Young earth creationism is essentially the position that all of modern science, 90% of living scientists and 98% of living biologists, all major university biology departments, every major science journal, the American Academy of Sciences, and every major science organization in the world, are all wrong regarding the origins and development of life….but one particular tribe of uneducated, bronze aged, goat herders got it exactly right.” - Chuck Easttom
"If my good friend Doctor Gasparri speaks badly of my mother, he can expect to get punched.....You cannot provoke. You cannot insult the faith of others. You cannot make fun of the faith of others. There is a limit." - Pope Francis on freedom of speech
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RE: Can Christians be humanists and moralists?
September 10, 2014 at 11:48 am
No true humanist I suppose
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RE: Can Christians be humanists and moralists?
September 10, 2014 at 11:48 am
In answer to the OP, I rather think most christians do consider themselves to be humanist and moralist- at least within the context of the good we associate with those terms. It's just that their view of reality incorporates a number of things that we atheists don't believe exist, and those things present their own moral considerations that, as often nonsensical as they are to us, are entirely consistent within the personal interpretation of christianity that a given theist believes.
Basically, yes christians can be humanists and moralists, it's just that the way they go about being such begins with a different set of priorities that sometimes contradict what we think of as being humanist.
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RE: Can Christians be humanists and moralists?
September 10, 2014 at 11:50 am
(September 10, 2014 at 11:48 am)fr0d0 Wrote: No true humanist I suppose
Or maybe you shouldn't assume the position of an entire group of people from the explanation of just one person.
'The more I learn about people the more I like my dog'- Mark Twain
'You can have all the faith you want in spirits, and the afterlife, and heaven and hell, but when it comes to this world, don't be an idiot. Cause you can tell me you put your faith in God to put you through the day, but when it comes time to cross the road, I know you look both ways.' - Dr House
“Young earth creationism is essentially the position that all of modern science, 90% of living scientists and 98% of living biologists, all major university biology departments, every major science journal, the American Academy of Sciences, and every major science organization in the world, are all wrong regarding the origins and development of life….but one particular tribe of uneducated, bronze aged, goat herders got it exactly right.” - Chuck Easttom
"If my good friend Doctor Gasparri speaks badly of my mother, he can expect to get punched.....You cannot provoke. You cannot insult the faith of others. You cannot make fun of the faith of others. There is a limit." - Pope Francis on freedom of speech
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RE: Can Christians be humanists and moralists?
September 10, 2014 at 11:52 am
I don't know why particular Christers couldn't cherry pick scriptures to support anything.
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