LETTER FROM A CHRISTIAN TO A HUMANIST

Our President, Diana Warnock recently sought to speak to the WA Curriculum Council seeking to have Humanist Applied Ethics included in the religious instruction time slot in school programs.
This may seem reasonable to you and me but it attracted the ire of at least one “good Christian” who wrote to her to put her on the right track. Here are some excerpts:

“Atheistic humanists have been forcing their belief system on Australian society for many years now and .....”

“ The motto in humanistic teaching today is “If it feels good--- do it, a condom will keep you safe” This ethic is only one flawed teaching that humanists believe in. Australia is now suffering from a flood of under age sex, a flood of venereal disease, of aids, of abortions, of youth suicide and under age alcoholism. ”

“You will know about what the atheistic humanists have done in England, where they have put big signs on buses saying “There is probably no God, so get out there and enjoy yourselves”. So that's what a lot of our teen-ages are doing in our society today. They are out there having a whale of a time (in their eyes). They probably have heard about God in their religious instruction at school, but the atheistic lifestyle in their homes and society is far more attractive than the moral discipline the Bible teaches.”

“For at least the past fifety (sic) years we have seen steady pressure being put on Australian society to abandon its great Christian heritage. The great Biblical moral values that kept our marriages and families on the right track are being broken down by sloppy moral teaching and example.

One out of three marriages failing, leaving hundreds of children in a one parent home. Humanism has a lot to answer for here because their motto for marriage says “Now listen here you two, don't you ever forget that you are an individual, Its OK for you to get married, but whatever you do don't let your marriage interfere with your individuality. What is his-- is his and what is hers—is hers, always remember that”. This is a very flawed ethic. Hence the awful statistics mentioned above. ”

“My wife and I have enjoyed living by Biblical teaching for forty six years and we are so greatful (sic). We have reared a family of five children who are all out in society and have never been in trouble with the law or been unemployed. But our grandchildren are in great danger of the atheistic humanist ethic, which is so widespread today, and you want to spread it more by replacing religious teaching with humanism.”

“I hope this letter will help you understand where atheistic humanism is leading our beautiful country that was built on Christian values, teachings and moral standings. We are praying for you and the other humanists in your society.”

Diana responded to the letter quoted above in a much more civilised manner than your editor would have been able to do and I have printed a copy of her letter below.

Dear Mr xxxxxxx,
Thank you for your letter.
Needless to say, there is not much in your letter with which I agree---but I do want to correct some mis-perceptions.

You say that I want to “replace religious instruction in WA schools...with Humanist applied ethics”. Not at all: I would like to see the history of various religions taught in State schools, including the choice that some of us have made to reject religion altogether. I certainly do believe that values, ethics and morals have a place in public schools---and I don't see why values, morals and ethics 'belong' exclusively to religious people.

Many of us without any religious belief are just as honourable and capable of decent behaviour as religious people. It is nonsense to suggest that all Humanists/Atheists/Secularists believe “if it feels good do it” or that they are responsible for the fact that some people claim that as their personal code.

All the Humanists I know do voluntary community work, donate to good causes and bring their children up to be good citizens and compassionate, honest and generous people. “Godless” doesn't mean “moral-less” or bad. It simply means that you don't believe in the supernatural.

The atheists in the UK who put their signs on buses were only doing what lots of religious people do all the time: advertise or publicise their views. This is a free society after all (and so is the UK).

And as for your interpretation of the Humanist view of marriage...with respect, your “flawed ethic” is a very flawed view of Humanist ethics.

I went to two church schools and like many Humanists I am completely familiar with the biblical teaching you and your family have chosen to live by. Good luck to you; as I said this is a free society and we can all be glad about that.

Forgive my lack of enthusiasm for your views but while we live in a free democratic society like Australia you and your family are entitled to follow your creed and I and many others are entitled to follow ours.

Kind regards,

Diana Warnock