Text: Rom 1:21-25
A. Definition.
Atheism. a. The doctrine or belief that there is no God (WordWeb). b. The atheist believes that God does not exist. c. We can know that God exists because of the evidence in nature (Rom 1:20).
Humanism. a. The doctrine emphasizing a person’s capacity for self-realization through reason; rejects religion and the supernatural (WordWeb). b. The humanist believes that man is an authority unto himself. c. We can know that man cannot be the standard of authority because man is imperfect (Pro 14:12).
B. Motivation.
Atheists believe that there is no God, while humanists believe that man is his own god.
Man do not want to believe in a Supreme God, because he would then have to subject himself to a higher authority (Luk 6:46).
Only by denying the existence of God, man can do as he wishes and indulge in the “lusts of [his] own [heart]” (Rom 1:18-32).
Atheism and humanism are concerted efforts by man to escape any ultimate responsibility for his sins (Pro 30:20).
C. Implication.
For the atheist. a. He would have to believe in the eternal existence of matter (Psa 102:26). b. He would have to believe in the spontaneous generation of life from non-life (Gen 1:12,21,25). c. He would have to believe that the order in nature is the result of luck (Heb 3:4).
For the humanist. a. He would have to believe that man can only depend on himself. Humanist Manifesto II (Article 1, Religion): “While there is much that we do not know, humans are responsible for what we are or will become. No deity will save us; we must save ourselves.” b. He would have to believe that there is no hope beyond this life. Humanist Manifesto II (Article 2, Religion): “Promises of immortal salvation or fear of eternal damnation are both illusory and harmful. c. He would have to believe that there is no right and wrong.” Humanist Manifesto II (Article 3, Ethics): “We affirm that moral values derive their source from human experience. Ethics is autonomous and situational needing no theological or ideological sanction. Ethics stems from human need and interest.” d. He would have to believe that sexual promiscuity is fine. Humanist Manifesto II (Article 6, The Individual): “In the area of sexuality, we believe that intolerant attitudes, often cultivated by orthodox religions and puritanical cultures, unduly repress sexual conduct. The right to birth control, abortion, and divorce should be recognized. While we do not approve of exploitive, denigrating forms of sexual expression, neither do we wish to prohibit, by law or social sanction, sexual behavior between consenting adults. The many varieties of sexual exploration should not in themselves be considered "evil." Without countenancing mindless permissiveness or unbridled promiscuity, a civilized society should be a tolerant one. Short of harming others or compelling them to do likewise, individuals should be permitted to express their sexual proclivities and pursue their lifestyles as they desire.” e. He would have to believe that life has no inherent value. Humanist Manifesto II (Article 7, Democratic Society): “It also includes a recognition of an individual's right to die with dignity, euthanasia, and the right to suicide.”
D. Destruction.
If man can only depend on himself, children would have no obligation to obey parents (c.f. Eph 6:1).
If there is no hope beyond this life, fathers would have no duty to take care of their families (c.f. 1Ti 5:8).
If there is no right and wrong, mothers would have no responsibility to train their children (c.f. Pro 22:6).
If sexual promiscuity is fine, couples would have no motivation to keep the family together (c.f. Mat 19:6).
If life has no inherent value, parents would have no qualms about aborting their children and children would have no qualms about euthanizing their parents (c.f. Gen 9:6).