Humanism Versus Mystrikism

In my response to McDonald, I've tried to correct the misconceptions of humanism that he presents. I've tried to show how his uncharitable reading of key humanist declarations, manifestos and principles misinterprets their meaning and is blind to their historical context and the mission of the humanist project.

First, charging humanism with the slurs of 'human-centrism' and 'anthropocentricism' misses completely humanism's proud tradition tracing back to Enlightenment humanists. I pointed to how humanist activists such as Bentham and Mill, through the pioneer humanists of the 19th Century to today advocated for the rights of animals and for preserving the entire ecosystem. This concern is increasingly reflected in the humanist declarations and manifestos of the 20th and 21st Centuries.

Second, I have tried to show how the word 'human' in 'humanism' does not signify a belief in the pre-eminence of the species Homo sapiens above all others. Taking this word as an indicator for why Humanist organizations have historically focussed mainly on human issues is to seriously misunderstand the meaning of 'humanism'. By tapping into the inspiration of the Renaissance scholars, the early 'humanists' endeavoured to draw attention away from human dependence on a divine realm to focus on human capabilities for reasoning and ethical thinking. In this crucial respect, the philosophy of 'humanism' contrasts with classical 'theism' and not with valuing non-human species. Criticizing Humanist organizations for not focusing much more on non-human sentients is to seriously misconstrue the raison d'être of the Humanist movement since its earliest beginnings.

Third, McDonald's conclusion that humanism promotes human pride and hubris is based on an all too quick reading of these key Humanist documents. A more careful reading shows the opposite, asking us to recognize our human fallibility.

Fourth, I pointed to a number of examples of humanist reflections on awe and wonder of the natural universe that betrays McDonald's complaint that humanism is lacking in this aspect of our lives. Similarly, I referred to but a small snapshot of humanistic resources on naturalised spirituality.

Humanism is a world view much broader than McDonald lets on, arising within the historical context of centuries of persecution and discrimination against those who thought outside the religious constraints of the society they lived in. From the 19th Century to the current day, I see Humanist organizations as having set themselves four specific tasks:

1. showing how we can lead moral and meaningful lives without a god or gods
2. combatting the egregious interference of religion into state matters (e.g., constitution, education, employment, taxation, ceremonies)
3. promoting social justice for the alienated and exploited (e.g., the poor, slaves, women, gays, transgender, non-religious)
4. providing safe community and support for the non-religious and ex-religious (e.g., Faith to Faithless, Recovering from Religion, Ex-Religious Support Network)

The Enlightenment project of encouraging the use of reason over authority and of promoting tolerance over bigotry is not yet finished. In some ways, we have taken a retrograde step globally. If you think the traditional work of Humanist organizations around the world is largely done, think again. As I write, Humanists International [2024] released their Freedom of Thought Report 2024. It reports that blasphemy laws still exist in at least 89 countries across the globe, affecting 57 percent of all peoples on earth. These laws target humanists, atheists, freethinkers, apostates and the religious whose beliefs are not in line with those mandated by the state religion. In seven countries, 'blasphemy' is punishable by death. In another 63 countries, the punishment is a long prison sentence. In at least 10 countries, the crime of 'apostasy' is punishable by death.

With the persistence of Humanists International and other kindred organizations, the President of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, Mubarak Bala, has finally been released from his 24-year prison sentence for 'blasphemy'. He remains in fear of being murdered by vigilante mobs. In Afghanistan, among other harsh repressions, the Taliban authorities have banned girls from secondary school and university education and women from many forms of employment. In the United States, Evangelical and other religious conservatives have succeeded in outlawing what were legal abortions. Religious conservatives leveraging Trump have torn at the fabric of democracy in the hope of ushering in a new theocracy. The Enlightenment project of encouraging reason and tolerance is far from completion. In many places, these humanist goals are being beaten down with a new wave of religious intolerance and fanatical political authoritarianism.

Humanists International, Humanists UK, the American Humanist Association, the Humanist Association of Nigeria, along with many other Humanist organizations around the globe, are working at alleviating and preventing these egregious harms. Here in my home country, Humanists Australia is supporting a refuge fleeing from religious persecution while the Ex-Religious Support Network I run provides community and peer support for those leaving their religion. Despite McDonald's noble thoughts, this valuable work is not being done by him and his followers. His claim that 'Mystrikism respectfully enhances, complements, and expands upon the scope of humanism' [McDonald 2023] remains an aspiration that is yet to be realized with action on the ground. Whatever progress is being achieved is because of the thinly dispersed and very under-resourced Humanist and other freethinker organizations around the world.

In addition to this valuable endeavour, Humanist organizations are working on animal rights and environmental issues. To complain, however, that saving lives, protecting secular democracies, combatting religious and political persecution and providing community is not as important as other priorities diminishes and demeans the tireless efforts of those humanists working on the ground changing lives.

Meanwhile, there are many dedicated animal rights and environmental organizations with the necessary expertise and resources already doing very significant work in reducing animal suffering and protecting the biosphere. So, let's help Humanist organizations do even more to raise awareness of animal suffering and environmental degradation while appreciating the special work they do in alleviating egregious religious and political persecution and intolerance. Let us also not forget the significant contributions individual humanists make qua humanists in their work within animal rights and environmental organizations.

I titled this essay, Humanism Versus Mystrikism reluctantly as it comported with McDonald's competitive approach to assessing the two world views. I appreciate he may be looking for a differentiator that provides the unique selling proposition for his world view compared with alternatives. My natural way of working is different. My preferred stance and that of the Humanist communities to which I belong is to take a collegial approach instead of writing public critiques of our respective world views. (Note that I have had long conversations with McDonald on his views of humanism and I much valued our respectful and informative dialogue.) The Humanist communities here in Australia work closely with kindred organizations and progressive religious communities on issues of common social, political, welfare and environmental concerns. I think that's how we can best advance our common concern for the issues we both care deeply about.

Note: The views expressed in this essay are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of any particular Humanist organization.

I am grateful to Danny Klopovic, Debbie Hoad, Akiva Quinn, Lyndon Storey and Vince Giuca for their many corrections to and comments on the pre-release version of this essay. I remain wholly responsible for any errors and omissions in the published version.

Copyright © 2025 Leslie Allan