Page 60 - Global Freemasonry

-III-

HUMANISM REVISITED

"H umanism" is considered a positive idea by the majority
"H

of people. It brings to mind notions such as love of hu-
manity, peace and brotherhood. But, the philosophical
meaning of humanism is much more significant: hu-

manism is a way of thinking that posits the concept of humanity as its
focus and only goal. In other words, it calls human beings to turn away
from Allah our Creator, and concern themselves with their own existence
and identity. A common dictionary defines humanism as: "a system of
thought that is based on the values, characteristics, and behavior that are
believed to be best in human beings, rather than on any supernatural au-
thority." 33

The clearest definition of humanism, however, has been put forward
by those who espoused it. One of the most prominent modern spokesmen
for humanism is Corliss Lamont. In his book The Philosophy of Humanism,
the author writes:

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