Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev of Vienna and Austria (1966- ), the MP Representative to the European International institutions
Christianity is much more humanistic than secular humanism, according to Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev of Vienna and Austria, the MP Representative to the European International Institutions. “What is more humane? To prove that man originated from a monkey or to tell him that he was created by God? What is more humane? To suggest that nothing awaits man after death or to promise him afterlife? What is more humane? To justify disorderly sexual relations, divorces, and abortions, or, advocate lasting families with many children?” Bishop Hilarion said in an interview with Science and Religion magazine.
In Vladyki Hilarion’s view, “Christianity brought man to an unprecedented height. Thanks to Christian morality, slavery gradually vanished in the world and Christian morals became the basis for the contemporary concept of human rights”. Bishop Hilarion considered the opposition of humanism to religion “a deceit of atheistic humanists”. He stated their position as, “We stand for humanity, whilst you priests and clergy stand against it”. He went on to say, “Indeed, I am convinced that Christianity is more humanistic than secular humanism. In fact, it is as deeply anti-human as it is equally anti-Church and atheistic”. Vladyki Hilarion noted, “Man is ennobled only when he consciously realises that he is the image and likeliness of God. He is a spiritual creature who dominates the natural and social world and is called to transfigure it and reign over it. However, human self-affirmation leads only to self-destruction”, he thought. On the other hand, he said, “We should never deny the truth found in humanism as many reactionary theological circles do, but, we should proclaim a creative Christian humanism”.
1 December 2008
Interfax-Religion
