Secular Humanism
"We made for you a law, so follow it and not the fancies of those who have no
knowledge"
The General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights on the 10th December 1948. Human Rights enshrine
three cardinal values: Equality - Freedom - Dignity. However, if these laudable
values are void of a religious, moral and ethical hue, they may perpetuate the
very vices they were designed to eradicate. If Human Rights are not made
subordinate to Divine Law, if there are no checks and balances, they may well
serve as the catalyst for Secular Humanism.
Secular Humanism:
Secular Humanism is a term that has evolved in the last thirty years to
describe a worldview that is based upon:
A conviction that dogmas, ideologies and traditions, whether religious,
political or social, must we weighed and tested by each individual and not
simply accepted because of "faith";
A commitment to use critical reasoning, and factual evidence, rather than faith
and mysticism, in seeking solutions to human problems; and,
An understanding that there are no absolutes, no eternal truths and no need for
religion.
The Humanist Manifesto:
"We believe that traditional dogmatic or authoritarian religions that place
revelation, God, ritual, or creed above human needs and experience do a
disservice to the human species… We find insufficient evidence for belief in
the existence of a supernatural; it is either meaningless or irrelevant to the
question of survival and fulfillment of the human race. As non-theists, we
begin with humans not God, nature not deity."
The Standard:
"Humanists do not rely upon gods or other supernatural forces to solve their
problems or provide guidance for their conduct They rely instead upon the
application of reason, the, lessons of history and personal experience from an
ethical/moral foundation and to create meaning in life. Secular humanists look
at the methodology of science as the most reliable source of information about
what is factual or true about the universe we all share."
Moral values:
"We affirm that moral values derive their source from human experience. Ethics
is autonomous and situational, needing no theological or ideological sanction.
Ethics stem from human needs and interest."
Human Rights:
Human Rights in the South African context are enshrined in the Bill of Rights.
Whilst the Bill guarantees the dignity and integrity of individuals, it also
regulates religious freedom. Ironically, the very provision tailored to
guarantee freedom might in reality inhibit that very right.
"He commands them with that which is just and forbids them from that which is
evil. He permits for them as lawful what is good and prohibits them from what
is bad. He relieves them from their heavy burden and releases them from the
yokes that upon them."
Islam is not a mass of dogmatic rituals, nor does it suppress the application
of reason, or scientific exploration. It views man as the sublime vicegerent of
Allâh on earth, who is obliged to carry out His injunctions. It does not allow
for the separation of law and religion; Divine Law precedes both the society
and the State. Virtue according to Islamic Law lies in living in conformity
with the Law of Allâh, which guarantees the sanctity of life, the equality and
dignity of man. His Law is inherently perfect and compatible; aversion to His
word simply fetters the mind and corrupts the soul. The tidal waves of
immorality, crime, and corruption throughout the 'liberated world' are grim
reminders of the dire consequences of Secular humanism.
"The Authority rests with none but Allâh. He commands you not to surrender to
anyone save Him…"
