I appreciate the letter to the editor extolling the "virtues" of secular humanism. It provides an opportunity for clarification of this arrogant and deceptive philosophy. The lofty description given of secular humanism: "Humanism is a rational philosophy informed by science, inspired by art, and motivated by compassion. Affirming the dignity of each human being, it supports the maximization of individual liberty and opportunity consonant with social and planetary responsibility. It advocates the extension of participatory democracy and the expansion of the open society, standing for human rights and social justice."

      Sounds lovely…but look at the reality of it…

      Rational and scientific?

      Secular humanists, by definition, don't use supernatural explanations. If there is such a thing as an honest truth-seeking secular humanist, that individual would have grave difficulty explaining on the basis of science and reason such things as the roots of our origin and the existence of evil.

1. Secular humanism supports the theories of macroevolution and the big bang theory. Belief in these theories requires more blind faith than most of us have who believe in a Deity. There is little scientific support for macroevolution and none for the Big Bang Theory. Those that believe in these are dishonest since they ignore the preponderance of research data that point toward a Designer. Macroevolution and the BB theory contradict the first two laws of thermodynamics that are perhaps the most accepted generalizations and foundations of modern science.

2. Proponents of secular humanism think it scientific when they explain human deeds of wickedness based on the perpetrator's genetics and environment. Whereas genetics and environment can certainly encourage certain tendencies, they cannot fully explain the brutal actions of our species throughout history. There are many non-violent and law-abiding individuals who have had genetics and environmental influences every bit as horrific as the most violent criminals. Also, there are many perpetrators of wicked crimes that had enviable upbringings.

      Advocating the extension of participatory democracy?

1. They are not affirming dignity to each individual or advocating participatory democracy when they support the right of a powerful minority to dictate the laws of the land. Abortion on demand became the law of the land in 1973 when the vast majority of voters and their representatives were against it. In Alabama, the Ten Commandments were removed from the courthouse even though 70% of the Alabamans were against that ruling. No, it is not humanity that the secular humanists hold in high esteem but their own "elite" group. In their haughty arrogance, they think they can best decide what is best for the rest of humanity.

      Affirming the dignity of each human being? Maximization of individual liberty and opportunity consonant with social and planetary responsibility?

1. Slaughtered unborn children are not assigned dignity and have no opportunity.

2. Maximizing one individual's liberty is likely to infringe upon another individual's liberty. In their arrogance, of course, the secular humanists think themselves capable of making the decisions of whose liberties to infringe upon-the unborn child, the individual who finds pornography and blasphemy offensive, those that want prayer in schools, etc.

      In summary, the secular humanist is dishonest, irrational, un-scientific, arrogant, and actively opposes democracy. With their silver-tongued rhetoric they appeal to our tendencies toward self absorption, pride, and lack of accountability. I have tremendous compassion for secular humanists because their viewpoint and opportunities are so limited. Nevertheless, due to their infiltration and present dominance of our legal and higher educational system, they are accountable for much of what is destroying this nation and its people. Their poisonous ideas must be exposed and confronted, as they are indeed the cause of much of the "violence, greed, and suffering that abounds on our planet".

Annie Bukacek MD