Humanism has the answers

[nailer]

Humanism is the current pinnacle of us worshipping ourselves.

[watsup1000]

Originally Posted by nailer

Humanism is the current pinnacle of us worshipping ourselves.

Not really. It has nothing to do with "worshipping". It is simply and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT that we, as humans, have the RESPONSIBILITY to develop the ethical codes that will allow us to live together in a civilized manner. As such, we do NOT have to "worship" anything other than a dialogue that will lead to ethical conduct that will be of greatest value.

[bobabode]

Originally Posted by nailer

Humanism is the current pinnacle of us worshipping ourselves.

You've been living in Texas for too long Bob.

[watsup1000]

One problem with humanism as the start of the US - their whole underling argument was that certain rights were god given. If we were all created equal, how can one man have the divine right to rule another? It's a great argument imo.

While the Declaration of Independence does indeed refer to such the intervention of a divinity into the deeds of men, the Constitution, the real foundation of the new nation, does not give any indication that it depends upon such a concept. In fact, the Deists such as Benjamin Franklin initiated the conversations that kept such references from being inserted into the Constitution. It thus becomes perhaps the most important HUMANIST document of the period, perhaps right up to today. It was not perfect, but that is what happens when compromise is involved.

[HarmanKardon]

Originally Posted by watsup1000

Humanism is the understanding that we are all alone on this planet in determining the moral and ethical standards for ourselves as humans, without so-called "divine guidance". In fact, humans have determined the factors that provide for a manner to live together in a ethical manner since the beginning of the species. Often, however, humans have also overlaid humanist findings with myth and superstition and called it "religion".

This is a very nice but a very intellectual point of view. The world is ruled by mass stupidity and smartphones, unable to be recepitve to humanist ideas, and this fact becomes worse and worse. In addition to that opinion I have to second Rob's comments. Unfortunately for me "religion" became almost a synonym for "paranoia" which is sad because the thoughts and teachings of Jesus, Boddhisatva Avalokiteshvara, Lao-tsu, Yuan Wu et al. were precious treasures of common sense before they got corrupted.

Humanism including things like empathy is the answer. But this answer is pure theory.

[piece-itpete]

Dave I absolutely agree the founders were men, not gods, and as such are fallible. However the system they created has turned out to be pretty darn successful at many things including equal protection under law, eventually.

Originally Posted by HarmanKardon

.... The world is ruled by mass stupidity and smartphones ......

LOL! Best statement of the year.

Pete

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

Dave I absolutely agree the founders were men, not gods, and as such are fallible. However the system they created has turned out to be pretty darn successful at many things including equal protection under law, eventually.



LOL! Best statement of the year.

Pete

All I'm saying is that he more I learn, the more it solidifies my belief that human nature hasn't changed a bit and the more it irritates me when people speak of long dead "leaders" as it they pooped gold. And it seems the longer they are in the grave the more God-like they become.....to some people.

Seriously. I want to slap these fools, Pete.

Dave

[piece-itpete]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

All I'm saying is that he more I learn, the more it solidifies my belief that human nature hasn't changed a bit and the more it irritates me when people speak of long dead "leaders" as it they pooped gold. And it seems the longer they are in the grave the more God-like they become.....to some people.

Seriously. I want to slap these fools, Pete.

Dave

I've heard of that compared to the state religions of antiquity by a scholar a while back Dave, like the Romans and the Greeks, ours includes the Founders and a few more picked up on the way, Teddy, Lincoln, FDR and he included MLK as the most recent believing we intended to, for inclusiveness.

Pete

[watsup1000]

All of us are victims of the culture of our day. Yes, our forebears thought it was correct to slaughter Native Americans and deprive them of their land. Why did the good people of Germany allow themselves to become a nation dedicated to war and genocide?
History must be read with an eye on the "culture" of the day. In spite of the flaws of the Constitution and the personal flaws of the members of the convention, it was at the time the most important humanist document regarding governing to that point, and perhaps right up to today.

[nailer]

I'm not a victim, that's a POV.

My forest dwelling brother nailed it in # 24.

The Consitution and Bill of Rights were the political statement of the Enlightenment, fatal flaw notwithstanding.