Having previously reported on The Freedom From Religion Foundation's Christmas present to Albuquerque; this article serves as the introduction to a consideration of the ads from the self described “godless organization”: the American Humanist Association (and you thought that Humanism was not about atheism, come now) that were mentioned in the post Where we “Created by God to Be Good”?
Find this whole series here.
The American Humanist Association lists 10 ads to be run during the holiday season. In keeping with their nature and self description; while people of faith look forward to the holidays, Humanist atheists look forward to wasting tremendous amounts of money besmirching those with whom they disagree. Of the 10 ads 8 are anti Judeo-Christian and 2 are anti-Islam (2 out of 10 is actually a major and surprising improvement over the typical atheist tactic yet, it is still indicative of Humanism/atheism as primarily an anti-Christian support group).
Here is part of the American Humanist Association press release:
A national multimedia ad campaign – the largest, most extensive ever by a godless organization - launches today…that directly challenge biblical morality and fundamentalist Christianity…demonstrating that secular humanist values are consistent with mainstream America and that fundamentalist religion has no right to claim the moral high ground.[1]
Oh, the ads outside are frightful, but the substance is less than delightful. Actually, what the ads accomplish is that they leave “biblical morality and fundamentalist Christianity” unscathed and only succeed in discrediting Humanist atheism (as for the two aimed at Islam, I will let Muslims respond with those, if they so please).
This effort is being funded by two organizations, thus far, that are atheistic by any other name:
The Stiefel Freethought Foundation was the primary sponsor of the Consider Humanism campaign with a $150,000 donation. Another $50,000 was raised from supporters of the American Humanist Association for the launch of this campaign, bringing the total ad buy to $200,000 so far.
Here are further statements from the press release:
"Humanist values are mainstream American values, and this campaign will help many people realize that they are already humanists and just did not know the term," said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. "Humanists believe in and value love, equality, peace, freedom and reason – values that are comparable to those of moderate and liberal religious people…
We want to reach people in every corner of the U.S., from all walks of life, to raise the flag for humanists and show others that they have more in common with us than with biblical literalists…
It's important that people recognize that a literal reading of religious texts is completely out of touch with mainstream America…
Although religious texts can teach good lessons, they also advocate fear, intolerance, hate and ignorance. It's time for all moderate people to stand up against conservative religion's claim on a moral monopoly."
All quotes from religious texts were checked by scripture scholars to ensure accuracy, context and proper translation…
Humanism is the idea that you can be good without a belief in God.
Consider their definition of “Humanism” as “the idea that you can be good without a belief in God.” In that case, all Christians are Humanists. This is a point that is confused due to it being an ubiquitously promulgated well-within-the-box-atheist-groupthink-talking-point-de-jour. It actually came up during a debate between a Christian and an atheist on the issue of morality.
The short answer is that to “be good” is a communicable attribute of YHVH and so by the very nature of being made in His image we can “be good” without, here is the key, “belief in God.” This is tantamount to stating the fact that you can fall off of a building and plummet to your squishy death “without a belief in gravity.” It affects you whether or not you believe in it.
Now, note how dogmatic (dogmatheistic) the American Humanist Association is, “Humanist values…Humanists believe” and from the first quote above, “secular humanist values.” This is reiterated within the ads which claim to elucidate that which Humanists believe (via besmirching the Bible and Qur'an since in, sadly, typical atheist form the American Humanist Association cannot simply make a positive affirmation but must function based on the negative).
Does this mean that you cannot be a Humanist, or an American Humanist Associationist, unless you pledge allegiance to their creed, their catechism? Moreover, how do they enforce their creedal catechism? Do they ever excommunicate? Further still, if someone breaks their creedal catechistic values what happens? The bottom line answer is, “Nothing” (see Are there atheist ethics? for details on this point).
Lastly, note the pseudo-evangelistic concept that underlies the ads—conversion, “We want to reach people…to raise the flag for humanists” and, again based on the negative, “and show others that they have more in common with us than with biblical literalists.”
As we consider their ads keep in mind that while they claim “that a literal reading of religious texts is completely out of touch with mainstream America” and that “All quotes from religious texts were checked by scripture scholars to ensure accuracy, context and proper translation” we will find that even if that much is granted, they are not tackling the issue with integrity.
Meanwhile, make a list of things, concepts, philosophies, etc. that “advocate fear, intolerance, hate and ignorance.” Make sure to include the American Humanist Association since they are asserting themselves via a they are wrong, we are right; leave them and join us based campaign.
For more dissections of fallacious atheist ads see: Atheist bus ads and billboards
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Notes: [1] AHA, Humanists Launch Largest National Advertising Campaign Critical of Religious Scripture, Posted: 13:44PM on November 09 2010, Washington, D.C., November 9, 2010 AD
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