The letter "Critic of humanism got it wrong" poignantly demonstrates the deception of secular humanism. The author makes many irrational and unsubstantiated assertions such as "macroevolution and the big bang theory have widespread scientific support" and macroevolution and the big bang theory don't contradict the laws of thermodynamics. He does not back these statements up-because he can't.

      The author makes it sound like I have something against minorities when he says, "What Bukacek really means, I suspect, is that minorities should have no rights. She is galled by the fact that the U.S. Constitution protects minorities against the tyranny of the majority". I certainly believe that people have a right to believe as they please. I am galled when beliefs lead to destruction of others' most fundamental rights. For example, I will be forever forthright in speaking against any group that supports genocide (of Jews, the unborn, etc), whether the beliefs are from a majority (the Germans that supported Hitler) or a minority (atheists and others mis-guided in this country).

      I wouldn't be writing about secular humanists if they portrayed themselves honestly. They would not have gained such great influence with well-intentioned people if they truthfully stated their beliefs and intentions. Their agenda thrives because of craftily orchestrated lies masquerading as benevolence.

      Secular humanists say they advocate "the extension of participatory democracy". In reality, they actively oppose democracy. 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. Secular humanists remain in the forefront of these types of unpopular legal actions that are trampling human rights and ravaging this country.

      Secular humanists think they are being lofty, generous, and tolerant of diversity when they say that no one has a right to impose their beliefs on others. The absurdity of this presently popular position is easily demonstrated by pondering the rights of the rapist, child molester, and perpetrator of incest. Their behaviors are considered acceptable in some cultures and situations, and sick individuals can justify in their own minds the most heinous of crimes. If perpetrators of wickedness think they are entitled to it, does that make it okay? Should our laws allow for this type of diversity? Anyone for legalization of armed robbery? In many Muslim societies, it is culturally acceptable for a family to reinstate "family honor" by killing their daughter who has been raped. Should we make that legal in this country?

      Any rational human recognizes the need for laws. Even avowed anarchists probably want their rights protected. Laws always impose beliefs, since all laws declare one behavior right and another behavior wrong. To have dialogue that involves the use of reason, we must move beyond the rhetoric. The real question is not whether or not to impose beliefs but rather, what set of beliefs do we want our legal system to impose? One that upholds the beliefs of our Founding Fathers (belief in a Providential loving God, in fasting and prayer for the nation, in promoting the Bible's commandments, etc), or the beliefs of a group whose arrogance blinds them into believing they know better than the majority in this nation that share the religious convictions of our Founding Fathers?

      Since we need laws and laws inevitably impose morality, it seems prudent to promote laws based on consistently rational thought and uncompromised reverence for the core dignity and worth of each human person. We are blessed to live in a nation whose founding principles and laws were based on promoting human dignity and Biblical precepts. To the extent that we stray from that and allow secular humanists to impose their utterly deceitful and irrational precepts on us, our nation will continue on its present path of rampant self-destruction.

Annie Bukacek MD