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8 Ohio N.U. L. Rev. 329 (1981)
Secularism in the Law: The Religion of Secular Humanism

handle is hein.journals/onulr8 and id is 343 raw text is: COMMENTARY Secularism in the Law: The Religion of Secular Humanism No less eloquent and prophetic a voice than the exiled Soviet writer Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn has decried the prevailing view of modern man to perceive of himself as autonomous and self-sustaining.' This world-view'-one that essentially rejects the spiritual and en- thrones the human-has gained ascendancy in contemporary times. Born in the Renaissance and finding political expression during the Enlighten- ment, humanism's basic credo is that mankind has unlimited potential to advance, and should not be stifled by 'traditional, dogmatic or authoritar- ian religions' that posit revelation, God, ritual or creed above humanity.' Humanism comprises numerous forms, from the Secular Humanism referred to by the Supreme Court in Torcaso v. Watkins,' to the Socialist Humanism inherent in the ideological precepts of Marxism-Leninism.' This analysis will focus on one type of Humanism-Secular 1. A. SOLZHENITSYN, A WORLD SPLIT APART, reprinted in EAST AND WEST 64-68 (1980). 2. By world-view I am referring to one's philosophy of life; how one views ultimate truth. See F. SCHAEFFER & C. Koop, WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE HUMAN RACE? (1979). 3. Humanism worships modern science as the force and deliverer that will lead man to a new age. All traditional religions, ideologies and other dogmas are perceived as impeding man's progression toward fulfillment. See Morain, Manifesto II, HUMANIST, Sept./Oct. 1980, at 5, wherein excerpts from the 1973 second Humanist Manifesto indicate that Humanists essentially view man as enlightened and capable of continual growth through his own designs: The next century can be and should be the humanistic century. Dramatic scientific, technological, and ever-accelerating social and political changes crowd our awareness ... Using technology wisely, we can control our environment, conquer poverty, markedly reduce disease, extend our life span, significantly modify our behavior, alter the course of human evolution and cultural development, unlock vast new powers, and provide humankind with unparalleled opportunity for achiev- ing an abundant and meaningful life ... Traditional moral codes and newer irra- tional cults both fail to meet the pressing needs of today and tomorrow . .. The ultimate goal should be the fulfillment of the potential for growth in each human personality-not for the favored few, but for all of humankind . . . A humanist outlook will tap the creativity of each human being and provide the vision and courage for us to work together.... Id. 4. 367 U.S. 488 (1961) 5. Id. The term 'humanism' has such a multitude of meanings that is necessary to define its use in this analysis. I am not referring to the employment of humanism as synonymous with a study of classical cultures or literatures nor referring to such ancient philosophers as Socrates, Pericles or Aristotle. Rather I am referring to the term in its denotative sense as the belief in the centrality of mankind, the perfectibility of the human personality devoid of these other considerations. As well, I will be referring to the term

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