by Anthony Bertrand

Created on: January 09, 2009

Is Humanism a religion?

First the question to settle is, "What is religion?" Once there is some agreement on this issue then the next question can be dealt with in an understanding manner.

The definition of religion taken from Dictionary.com, "a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs." Taking the first part, beliefs concerning the cause, nature and purpose of the universe. Fits in with the religious slant of humanism. Furthermore, when you take this stance there seems to be a worship of man and his knowledge, which is a religion unto oneself.

As further proof that humanism is a religion lies at their own door. One of the first to state this is Julian Huxley, "The Coming New Religion of Humanism," an article that first appeared in The Humanist, in 1962, "I feel sure that the world will see the birth of a new religion based on what I have called evolutionary humanism." Another quote from this article which states it as a religion says, "Above all, a humanist religion will uphold the ideal of quality, against the assaults of mere quantity, of richness and variety against drabness and monotony, and of active open and continuous development, personal, social, and evolutionary, as against static self-complacency or unreal millenary fanaticism." These two quotes taken from a renowned humanist should be taken lightly.

The next proof of a humanistic religion lies right at the pedestal of law, specifically, the Supreme Court. In the case of Torcaso vs. Watkins, in 1961, stated that humanism was a religion. These two justices further stated this,

"Justice Scalia wrote:

In Torcaso v. Watkins, 367 U.S. 488, 495, n. 11 (1961), we did indeed refer to "SECULAR HUMANISM" as a "religion[n]."
Edwards v. Aguillard, 482 U.S. 578 (1987) note 6
Justice Harlan summed it all up:

[Footnote 8] This Court has taken notice of the fact that recognized "religions" exist that "do not teach what would generally be considered a belief in the existence of God," Torcaso v. Watkins, 367 U.S. 488, 495 n. 11, e. g., "Buddhism, Taoism, Ethical Culture, SECULAR HUMANISM and others." Ibid. See also Washington Ethical Society v. District of Columbia, 101 U.S. App. D.C. 371, 249 F.2d 127 (1957); 2 Encyclopaedia of the Social Sciences 293; J. Archer, Faiths Men Live By 120-138, 254-313 (2d ed. revised by Purinton 1958); Stokes & Pfeffer, supra, n. 3, at 560.
Welsh v. United States 398 U.S. 333 (1970) note 8.

These quotes should be sufficient for this article and proof enough that humanism is indeed a religion and its god is man.

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