Understanding Christianity in Secular Humanism

The secular worldview revolves around science and the lived experience. The identified friend appears to have some unique problems with the validity and nature of Christianity because it appears judgmental and intolerant. The individual is also pessimistic about the “suppressive sexual ethic” associated with religion. The inside-out approach seeks to understand the original worldview or thought and the best approaches to challenge it.¹ The user can consider where it will lead the targeted person, its inconsistencies, and how the Christian experience or story is capable of addressing it effectively.

The individual’s secular point of view asserts that human beings form the central aspect of the universe. Men are the ones who determine what ought to be wrong, justifiable, or wrong. Secular Humanism is a powerful concept that guides people to apply their scientific models, reasoning, and experiences whenever addressing the issues they might encounter in their respective lives.² With this kind of understanding, it becomes clear that the identified person would find Christianity oppressive, judgmental, and incapable of allowing followers to pursue their sexual goals or orientations in a free manner.

For many centuries, the global community has managed to present divergent views on a number of fields using epistemological procedures, such as racism, ethnicity, sexuality, and equality. Unfortunately, the majority of the involved stakeholders have failed to offer accurate interpretations or analyses that can make it possible for others to lead better lives.³ Such development explains why the world has continued to encounter numerous challenges that discourage human beings, including being judgmental and social hypocrisy. Some Christians have managed to exhibit specific misbehaviors and malpractices that make it impossible for atheists to consider the religion.

Going back to the presented complaints about Christianity, it is necessary to examine the teachings and guidelines that Christ presented to all followers. The Bible encourages people to love one another and be willing to promote what is acceptable in the eyes of God.⁴ Individuals are required to exhibit empathy and sympathy in their lives. They ought to guide others in order to understand the truth instead of judging and condemning them.

Christ presented numerous stories and occasions to support the power of forgiveness and even explained to all followers why such a practice would be appropriate. The story of the prostitute is also a good example of why Christians should start by reflecting on their experiences and repenting since all humans are sinners (John 8). Similarly, the religion teaches people to have holy marriages and give birth to fill the Earth.⁵ They should do so without committing adultery while remaining faithful to each other. These ideas will make it possible for the identified friend to start comparing his thoughts with the realities and teachings of Christianity.

The acquired knowledge will result in a new revelation since Christianity is not judgmental or intolerant as the friend appears to suggest. The individual will go further to understand what the Bible says about sex and sexuality. This knowledge will become a new beginning for appreciating the religion and realizing that it is always necessary to do what is acceptable if one is to become part of God’s eternal kingdom.⁶ With such descriptions, chances are high that the secular individual will start to view Christianity differently and even be tempted to follow God’s commandments. Consequently, the identified friend will be on the right path towards becoming a dedicated Christ’s follower.

Bibliography

1. Chatraw, Joshua D., and Mark D. Allen. Apologetics at the Cross: An Introduction for Christian Witness. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Academic, 2018.
2. Dreyer, Wim. “Church, Mission and Ethics. Being Church with Integrity.” Theological Studies 72, no. 1 (2016): a3163.
3. Nass, Elmar, and Ellen Kreuer. “Methodology and Applications of Christian Leadership Ethics.” The Journal of Values-Based Leadership 11, no. 2 (2018): 1-16.

Footnotes

1. Joshua D. Chatraw and Mark D. Allen. Apologetics at the Cross: An Introduction for Christian Witness (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Academic, 2018), 139.
2. Elmar Nass and Ellen Kreuer, “Methodology and Applications of Christian Leadership Ethics,” The Journal of Values-Based Leadership 11, no. 2 (2018): 5.
3. Elmar and Kreuer, “Methodology and Application,” 6.
4. Ibid., 8.
5. Ibid., 11.
6. Wim Dreyer, “Church, Mission and Ethics. Being Church with Integrity,” Theological Studies 72, no. 1 (2016): a3163.