The Christian Humanist

The Christian Humanist

By Damian TharcisiusReligion & Spirituality
Download on the App Store

The Christian Humanist episodes

  • The Compatibility of an Atheistic worldview with Humanism (Part III Episode 21)
    Hello Everyone. Welcome to the New Humanist Podcast. I am Damian
    So we are at the close of Part III: The beginning of the critic of secular humanism. I close off this segment with a general discussion on the some of the conflicts that lie between secular/atheistic worldviews and a humanistic one. One that is life affirming, and critically man affirming. I engage this argument by looking at three definitions that are associated with the term 'humanism'.
    Its humanitarian character.
    Its historical character (i.e. Renaissance humanism)
    Its relationship with reason and the idea of self-realization.
    Spoiler: A religious (Christian) version of humanism is more compatible with the human betterment project, rather than an atheistic one.
    (Source: WordWeb app).
    35 min
  • My Concerns with Atheism & Agnosticism (Part III Episode 20)
    Hello Everyone. Welcome to the New Humanist Podcast. I am Damian.
    Continuing the theme of Part III, which is the critic of a secular basis of humanism. Here I engage certain problems I find with the secular view: Notably the two key positions which underpin secularism: atheism and agnosticism.
    Atheism is often viewed in Western culture as the intellectually savvy position to hold. To reject the existence of God (and religious life) is meant to be a mark of intelligence. In this episode, I engage some of the problems with this view. Notably, a level of dogmatism that underlies the atheistic view. Which unlike in the case of theism, is often overlooked.
    Agnosticism is arguably the more popular position in the secular West. A view that is defined by a certain indifference to the idea and reality of God. As I would argue, however, this position in practice, at the level of the collective, gives rise to its own set of problems. For the lack of a divine center, drives the modern mind, to seek a new basis for identity and expression. Many of which are inherently divisive. 
    The focus of this (Introductory) critic of these two positions, is primarily a socio-cultural one.
    30 min
  • The Relationship between Secular Humanism and Leftism (Part III Episode 19)
    Hello Everyone. Welcome to the New Humanist Podcast. I am Damian.
    This is episode 19. Continuing the theme of Part III: which is the critic of a secular basis of humanism. At the start of Part III, I observed that one of the problems I see with secular versions/perspectives of humanism, are their affinity with Leftism: (The politics that is associated with left-to-left-of-center politics). Whilst I have kept away from the politics that underlie the question of belief in God so far. However, it goes without saying that spiritual beliefs (or the lack thereof) tends to come to with a political undercurrent.
    It’s well known that people who believe in God tend to move to the Right politically. Whilst those who are atheistic and secular, tend to align with the Left. This is a complex point. It is my understanding that anyone who calls him/herself a humanist these days: That is to hold the view that religion as a force, is one that undermines the human betterment project. Such persons invariably come to embrace a leftist position. One that, I fear, goes beyond mere party affiliation (i.e. voting for leftwing, left-leaning parties). Manifesting a deeper form of unease towards all that is represented by the 'Right': Family, Church, tradition, heritage and individuality.
    A state of mind, which manifests itself, not only as a form of political prejudice against Right Wing or Conservative policies. But, problematically, as one which converges towards a deeper fasciation, or as I would argue, a worship of the State.  Where the government becomes the be all and end all of human betterment, progress and human action. This is concerning.
    32 min
  • My Thoughts on the Views of Christopher Hitchens (Part III Episode 18)
    Hello Everyone. Welcome to the New Humanist Podcast. I am Damian.
    This is episode 18. Continuing the theme of Part III, which is the start of the critic of a secular basis of humanism. Here I engage a notable facet of the secular worldview: The notion that religion is man-made, and that religion is a cause for most if not all societal divisions, and hence conflicts. A point which I shall confront by engaging the views (or a view) of the famous anti-theist Christopher Hitchens. Just one quote from him will do for now, folks.
    “God did not create man in his own image. Evidently, it was quite the other way about, which is the painless explanation for the profusion of gods and religions, and the fratricide both between and among faiths, that we see all about us and that has so retarded the development of civilization.”
    - God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything (2007)
    28 min
  • My Thoughts on the Views of Sam Harris (Part III Episode 17)
    Hello Everyone. Welcome to the New Humanist Podcast. I am Damian.
    This is episode 17. Continuing the theme of Part III: the start of the critic of a secular of humanism.  A subject I will engage this time, by looking at the views expressed by another key thinker in the secular debate: Sam Harris. Here are two select quotes, which I shall proceed to analyze in this episode:
    “Tell a devout Christian that  his wife is cheating on him, or that frozen yogurt can make a man  invisible, and he is likely to require as much evidence as anyone else,  and to be persuaded only to the extent that you give it. Tell him that the book he keeps by his bed was written by an invisible deity who will punish him with fire for eternity if he fails to accept its every incredible  claim about the universe, and he seems to require no evidence what so ever". 
    - The End of Faith (2004)
    “The only angels we need  invoke are those of our better nature: reason, honesty, and love. The only demons we must fear are those that lurk inside every human mind: ignorance, hatred, greed, and faith, which is surely the devil's masterpiece". 
    - The End of Faith (2004)
    27 min
  • My Thoughts on the Views of Richard Dawkins (Part III Episode 16)
    Hello Everyone. Welcome to the New Humanist Podcast. I am Damian.
    This is episode 16. Continuing the theme of Part III: the start of the critic of a secular basis of humanism. A matter which I will engage by looking at the views expressed by a key secular spokesperson: Richard Dawkins. I will critically engage two quotations from this atheist, in the course of this episode. They are:
    “The total amount of  suffering per year in the natural world is beyond all decent contemplation. During the minute that it takes me to compose this  sentence, thousands of animals are being eaten alive, many others are running for their lives, whimpering with fear, others are slowly being  devoured from within by rasping parasites, thousands of all kinds are dying of starvation, thirst, and disease. It must be so. If there ever is  a time of plenty, this very fact will automatically lead to an increase in the population until the natural state of starvation and misery is restored. In a universe of electrons and selfish genes, blind physical forces and genetic replication, some people are going to get hurt, other  people are going to get lucky, and you won't find any rhyme or reason in it, nor any justice. The universe that we observe has precisely the  properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose,  no evil, no good, nothing but pitiless indifference.” 
    (River Out of Eden- 1986)
    "Although atheism might have been logically tenable before Darwin, Darwin made it possible to be an intellectually fulfilled atheist" 
    (The Blind Watchmaker- 1986).
    34 min
  • Beginning of the Critic of Secular Humanism- Intro (Part III Episode 15)
    Hello Everyone. Welcome to the New Humanist Podcast. I am Damian.
    Humanism is not Atheism. 
    This is one of the key factors underlying the humanism that I am affirming. Hence the atheistic worldview: one that leaves absolutely No place for God, One that looks down on religious beliefs, and generally views the idea of the transcendental as false, immoral and "delusional". This God-rejecting view of reality and what stems from it: A reductively materialistic view of man, I find to be not only problematic with respect to the enduring relevance of religious faith to humanity. But also, as a cause for concern, with respect to humanity's collective aspiration for betterment in the here and now.
    Points that will be engaged in the course of Part III:
    A Critic of atheistic view of reality.
    Arguing the case for a more wholesome view of reality (God + Man). (Faith & Reason).
    Concerns over the relationship between Secularism and Leftism (Politics).
    23 min
  • A Deeper Logic Underlying the Decline of Religion (Part II Episode 14)
    Hello Everyone. Welcome to the New Humanist Podcast. I am Damian.
    This is episode 14, and the final episode of Part II.  Here I will engage the decline of religion (Christianity) in the West, by analyzing, what i consider to be the logical character of the decline of Faith in the modern world.  The problem of secularism, is not limited to the (poor) workings of religions, but that it reflects the transitory character of society. One that has moved on from its preoccupation with otherworldly things. And religions, at least at the institutional level, have not kept pace with the inevitability of change. Owing to:
    The Inevitability of change: The rise of industrial society and the growing capacity of man, who can find solutions to most of life's  problems through scientific, industrial, mechanistic means. However inadequately and imperfectly.
    The  sociological dimension of change. Where advances in health care, the rise of industrial society, the collective, and disruptive effects of      socioeconomic progress over the last few centuries: one that contributes to increasing wealth and material prosperity, and the promises it carries for humanity. Reinforcing the idea of 'hope' of a better world, in the here and now. Humanity, knowingly or otherwise, has come to embrace, or be drawn into the 'human betterment project'. To which God, no longer seems necessary.
     Underlying this major paradigm shift (over the course of thousands of years), is the change in perception towards the idea of human Redemption.  Where traditional idea of human upliftment: Such as going to heaven, and earning 'heavenly reward', is no longer good enough for  persons in modern polities. Especially for the modern Western mind: which has developed higher, but worldly aspirations.
    31 min
  • Part II: Episode 13: On Religion & Human Suffering

    Hello Everyone. Welcome to the New Humanist Podcast. I am Damian.

    Following on from the theme of the last episode: on the lack of hope in the Christian message, I extend that conversation into the subject of suffering. Is suffering a good thing? The answer, to which is obviously NO. However, despite its obviousness, why do the religions of today: Christianity generally, and Catholicism specifically (i.e. representatives), seem overtly preoccupied with this message. In an affirmative way? A question which I will seek to 'understand' (not answer) by engaging the following points: 

    • Reason 01:

      • The lack of belief in Earthly upliftment. A view that emanates from the world rejecting character of most religions. Notably Christianity & specifically Catholicism.

      • Reason 02: 

        • The disenchantment on part of the religious leadership, with respect to the material world. One which compels them to adopt the (mistaken) view that, all good things in life: Including the joys brought forth by money, power, pleasure, health and honor are bad/evil. And whatever joys that one may experience, are only to be found in the life hereafter.  

        • Reason 03:

          • As a possible explanation for this state of mind: Is the non-affirmative character of the Christian message of Redemption, with respect to human wellbeing and happiness. Specifically in the here and now.

           To conclude, the listener can mediate on the following quote by a certain religious luminary, which I will engage in the future:                                            “There is something beautiful in seeing the poor accept their lot, to suffer it like Christ’s passion”.  “The world gains much from their suffering”. 

          - M.T

          32 min
        • Part II- Episode 12: The Lack of Hope Within the Christian Message

          Hello Everyone. Welcome to the New Humanist Podcast. I am Damian.

          Alright. Its time to get a bit serious.

          Here I tackle the problem of hope. Rather its utter absence within Christian teaching, despite its apparent centrality to the Faith, as it is propounded by religious leaders. The message in this episode is a more speculative one. One which I will argue by engaging the following:

          • Point 01:

            • The overt Christian emphasis on life's negatives: pain, disappointments, suffering, sacrifice and death. A point which stands problematically apart from the true Christian message/promise of Joy, Peace & Love.  

            • Point 02:

              • The lack of theological focus on the Christian idea of hope in an existential sense: One that promises health, wealth and wellbeing (i.e. divine Blessing) in the Here and Now. A serious problem which is an outgrowth of: 

              • Point      03:

                • The singular focus on the trials, suffering and death of Christ, is a possible explanation for this pervasive (unhealthy) mindset. One which effectively corresponds to the "afterlife centricity" that has come to characterize the Faith as a whole. The singular, and unhealthy focus on the death of Christ; as opposed to the Hope that stems from His Resurrection is a serious hurdle in affirming of the Humanity of the Christian Faith. 

                24 min

              About The Christian Humanist

              From the publisher's feed

              Hello Everyone. Welcome to the Christian Humanist Podcast. I am Damian.