Humanism? What kind of crazy ‘new age’ religion is this?
Humanism’s actually been around for centuries, and has in many ways become the opposite of religion. It’s a philosophical and ethical stance emphasizing human beings thinking for themselves using logic and evidence rather than blind acceptance of doctrine or religious faith. Its meaning has shifted over the years, at times more focused on the notion of “human nature” but, today, the humanist movement is pretty much aligned with secularism, looking to science not religious dogma to understand the world. Continue reading Chapter 33: Humanism →
What possible relevance could the European Religious Wars of the 16th and 17th Centuries have to world peace in the 21st Century, you may ask? Well, other than the fact it’s a fascinating period of history full of Game of Thrones-like intrigue and power struggles, it’s also the period that redrew the religious and political map of Europe from the old Roman Catholic Empire to something resembling the modern community of sovereign states we know today. Plus, with sectarian religious violence raging across today’s Islamic world, it’s not the worst time to look at the sectarian Christian struggles of yesteryear. Continue reading Chapter 32: European Religious Wars →
Educating myself and the world at the same time – join the adventure!
