Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev of Vienna and Austria (1966- ), the MP Representative to the European International institutions
Moscow, 1 December 2008 (Interfax):
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”.
Interfax-Religion
http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=27558 (in Russian)
Christianity is by far more humanistic than secularism. Secularism justifies anarchy for the sake of self; selfish pleasure, selfish lust, selfish ambition; all of which are no more noble than animalistic behavior. It is secularism that justifies the law of the jungle; to take due to power and force be it mental of physical however Christianity introduced a standard upon humanity placed by a God who is above humanity; it is due to the failure of all humans to satisfy this standard perfectly that we see true humanism; detailed thought for the good of all men.
Secular humanism is a propaganda tool to justify anarchy by rational means; which is a contradiction to not only humanism but upon itself. It is not the nature of creation, or science for something lesser to lead to something greater; the second law of thermodynamics prevents such a claim; the rays of the sun are not more powerful than the sun itself so for secular humanism to teach that man which has higher intelligence and order than monkey came from monkeys denies there own scientific laws where the Holy Bible which is the center of Christianity justifies the true scientific order; that we who are human with our intelligence have all been made in the image of God without question who is are better and by so doing loves us and expects us to love Him as well as love and respect each other; this is humanism in its purest form.
Comment by John L Hemphill III — Friday, 23 January 2009 @ 22:59