The agenda of a secular humanist
Advertisement
Text size: small | medium | large
John Hahn
Published: October 21, 2008
I would like to take exception to a statement made by Gary Jacobsen in his column, “Get your affairs in order.”
He writes, “Religious leaders may tell you there is such a thing as life everlasting or reincarnation, but don’t count on it. Dead is dead.”
That is a statement that could only be made by a “secular humanist,” of which Mr. Jacobsen claims to be. Let me define “secular humanist” as found in Websters New World College Dictionary.
“Secular humanism — a system of doctrines and practices that disregards or rejects any form of religious faith and worship. The belief that religion and ecclesiastical affairs should not enter into the
function of the state, esp. into public education.”
Finally, I would like to quote from Psalm 14:1: “The fool hath said there is no God.” And from the gospel of Matthew, chapter 25, verse 46: “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the
righteous into life eternal.”
I am praying for Mr. Jacobsen to realize the truth before he draws his last breath.
JOHN HAHN
Woodbridge
Post a Comment
The commenting period has ended or commenting has been deactivated for this article.
Can't find what you're looking for? Try our quick search:
Reader Reactions
Posted by ( Posts as Pinko ) on October 25, 2008 at 8:55 pm
—My last day with the News & Messenger was Oct. 14.—
AWWWW! Why? You’ve sparked some GREAT conversation here!
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( Emma ) on October 25, 2008 at 11:45 am
We are calm, Gary. We’re simply having an interesting discussion. You’re the one using exclamation marks.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( Grant Gary Jacobsen ) on October 25, 2008 at 11:35 am
Once and for all, calm down! My last day with the News & Messenger was Oct. 14. Now maybe you can read only “good news”!
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( Emma ) on October 24, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Beautiful reference, rafaelva. Some of the showiest “religious” people are some of the most obnoxious. However, we can all learn from various religious traditions when we speak to each other civilly about them and study them with an open mind. It’s the extremes of religion, like the extremes of almost anything else, that get us into trouble. If you watch the “Obsession” DVD, they state from the outset that they are not talking about the average Muslim, but the extreme element that is so threatening to us.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( rafaelva ) on October 24, 2008 at 11:52 am
I think there are several parables or lessons on rightousness in the bible.
The one that comes to mind, refers to
a pharasee approaching the alms box in front of the temple. He’s described as all dressed up in his robes, and tiptoeing through the crowds with the hem of his robes held up, to avoid contamination by the unclean. Upon reaching the alms box, he looks around to make sure everyone sees him put a coin in the box. After that, the lord points up an old lady, slowly approaching the box, and she makes sure no one sees her before she drops her coin in. The Lord said, the pharasee had received his reward, because he made a public display of his supposed rightousness, where as the old lady would be rewarded in the Kingdom, because she chose to hide her rightousness. For what one does in secret, so shall they be rewarded in public. If a person gives with his right hand, he should hide his left hand least it know what the right does.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( Posts as Pinko ) on October 24, 2008 at 11:26 am
phdee, I think the Bible actually says something about not hiding your light under a bushel basket.
Still, point taken that there are those who use public prayer to enhance their image as a “moral” person. The BOCS has someone pray before every meeting. And every meeting, these folks pray that the BOCS will be given wisdom to do the right thing. You can see how much the BOCS listens to THOSE prayers and any potential “message from God.“
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( phdee ) on October 24, 2008 at 11:10 am
Regarding prayer in public, I thought thenBible saidto “enter the closet” to pray. Seems like some people can only pray if they can make a spectacle out of it and be seen.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( Emma ) on October 24, 2008 at 10:17 am
I hear what you are saying, rafaelva, but I figure as long as my younger kids are going to learn to put a condom on a cucumber in the public school, it won’t kill them to be exposed to a comparative religions class as well.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( rafaelva ) on October 24, 2008 at 10:07 am
Emma, I agree with you, and I think your daughter did it in the right place, University. Public or private doesn’t make a difference. The study of the writings of Paul do not point a person to any one christian sect. If a person wants to learn the spin, then they should attend a seminary.
The issue here is, of course, disallowing prayer in school, because even a nondemoninational pray, is at odds with some religions. So we avoid the practice of religion in public schools, though in a public college an individual may choose to take courses in world religions, comparative theology, etc. Note the word choose.
So long as it is not a requirement.
“for now I see as through a glass darkly”
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( rafaelva ) on October 24, 2008 at 9:40 am
Posts as Pinko, I have no objection to viewing religious writings for their literary value. However, I don’t agree with teaching theology, and religious doctrine in public schools.
When I was in high school, (early 60’s)
we even read parts of the Pauls First Corinthians, because the King James Version of the Bible has always been considered a literary masterpiece in the English Language. I don’t see the wrong in this anymore then reading the Iliad and the Oddessy, or good translations from the the Edda. It’s not teaching religion, but using classical writing to teach the language.
If we censored every writing that had the slightest religious content, it wouldn’t leave much beyond Mary had a Little Lamb.
Oh, I had to memorize that part of Thanatopsis, do you recall, Bryant wrote the poem when he was 15, he rewrote it later in live, but the part I quoted was part of the original poem, along with the beginning. I have never forgotten it, and I was 17 when I memorized it, and am 62 now.
Report Inappropriate Comment