Why is humanism/secularism important? Where did it impact the most?:
One form of secularism is asserting the right to be free from religious rule and teachings, or, in a state declared to neutral on matters of belief. From the imposition by the government of religion or religious practices upon its people. For this reason, it was an important movement in history. It showed a great contrast to the Middle Ages when religion was top priority. Secular humanism reached as far as the west as well as other cultural regions around the world. It impacted peoples lives and jobs, how they thought, and how they could move out of social class so they can achieve a personal best. Humanism played a major role in education as well, Colleges and Universities started adding humanistic classes into place. They would go into detail about philosophy/religion, archaeology, cultural, race, and gender studies. They discuss the history of humans and how they interact; even the reasons for their actions. People sought out to speak, write, and engage into their communities.
Is there any controversy with secularism/humanism?:
people often believed that people of humanism didn’t believe in god. It was often viewed as being anti-christian or anti religious. Though, Christianity is starting to drop recently. 3% has decreased since 2007. People are becoming more diverse and more accepting of the idea of humanism. (Based on Pew's research) “Social change and new knowledge tis starting to conflict with engendering a hostile reaction by the fundamentalist right against such "secular humanist" school practices as values clarification exercises, sex education, and use of the inquiry/discovery approach to learning.”Psycnet gets into the traditional beliefs that play an effect with subjects that may be taught. Having them reach more than just religion and their own reflection.
What are some of the positive and negative impacts this idea or innovation has had over time?:
POSITIVE IMPACTS:
Freedom to choose your belief, faith, and/or religion
Political systems can make and enforce civil codes without any influence of religious code
Freedom to respectfully leave the state, even upon disagreement
NEGATIVE IMPACTS:
Sense of powerlessness in religious institutions which had historically maintained control over governance for centuries.
Religious people becoming concerned about the moral compass of the nation as for more religious people. Religion = mortality
militant demand by secularists to ban religion in totality (Counter to the principle of allowing religious freedom in secularism)
How will humanistic secularism shape the future?:
One has right to act on their religious beliefs. In a society that has different values varying through person, and laws that influence the diverse population, purely religious reasons and ideas are best to not be encouraged or employed. As they do not benefit each individual and their rights. Humanism has shaped our future by giving more freedom to express religion and their beliefs. Such as the US constitution states in the first amendment, they give the right of freedom of religion, expression, and more. Humanism has shaped a very impacting document to which we all stand to now. This has put an end to forced Christianity and conversion in the churches and areas. This has also given secular humanism more freedom to their expressing of emphasizing the common human needs, seeking solely rational ways of solving human problems, and the importance to human or individual without the influence of religion.