Is Humanism a religion? No.
That would be giving it far too much credit.
Most would classify it as philosophy, or even a fundamental sociological belief system. It could be argued that it is a religion in the sense that its tenets and precept are rather organized and adherents are often quite zealous in their belief. I could say that my traditional two cups of coffee every morning are religious in that sense. But at the core humanism decries religion as a superstitious, violent and detrimental human failing that social, cultural and mental advancement should see us without. We should be able to pick ourselves up by our proverbial bootstraps and leave such unenlightened, uneducated and ignorant ideas like religion behind. As such, humanism cannot be classified as a religion or doctrine. Humanism eschews religion, so it would be somewhat ironic to classify it as one.
In that sense, humanism does a service. Humanism and those who adhere to this belief claim that religion (specifically Christianity) has been the culprit for nearly all humanity's ills and pitfalls throughout history. There is a kernel of truth within such claims, since religion is nothing more than a system of rules and beliefs that one strives to adhere to. Religion breeds contempt for those that do not meet certain requirements, punish those that cannot measure up and encourages legalistic attitudes and hard-heartedness. Religion finds little or no room for kindness, compassion and genuine mercy. Sadly neither to human beings as a rule.
Humanism is the idea that we, as a global race, can find it within ourselves to improve our general condition: our society, ourselves and our overall state of consciousness. Without any theistic influence, or to the point: without God. More specifically, without faith in God: this is very different than merely the practice of some religious doctrine. It is having a personal relationship with a divine creator and living a life of faith; something that can offer a great deal more than some philosophy.
Nothing good comes from within our own souls. For as [a man] thinketh in his heart, so [is] he. (Pro 23:7a). For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. (Mar 7:21, 22)
Doesn't sound like there is a great deal of hope for governing ourselves and our condition without some help, and that help only comes from above.
We have been denying both the existence and the need for God from our very beginnings, and I am not referring to all the scientific jargon that would have you believe that we originated from some primordial slime that slithered out of earth's oceans a few million years ago. I am referring to fateful encounter between a man, a woman and a serpent in a garden several millennia ago. And from the very beginning, we as a race have been trying to take things into our own hands: our surroundings, each other, even our eternal fate. Humanism is not a religion, it is nothing more than our own feeble attempt at controlling our universe because we seem to think that we can manage better than the one who envisioned and created it all in the first place. It is akin to the clay jar telling the potter who made it where to go and what to do with himself.
That is not religion. It's just plain arrogance. And ignorance, I might add.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father. (Jam 1:17a) Any and every good thing that we manage to do or to give each other will not come from within us or from our wicked hearts, but from our Father above. We are simply too prideful and selfish and wrapped up in ourselves to seek out a greater humanity. Thankfully, upon salvation, we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, and from within us flow rivers of living water. (Jhn 7:38). With the Tree of Life within us, we can bear spiritual fruit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Gal 5:22, 23).
These are the things that will improve and reshape humanity. And they won't come from some tired religion or philosophical hubris. They will come from faith and favor from our Heavenly Father.
Verses paraphrased from the KJV Bible:
Pro 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart [is] not with thee.
Mar 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
Jam 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Jhn 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.