Man Glorified By: Patrick B
Monday, May 17, 2010 at 7:56AM Man Glorified-Great Books II
By: Patrick B
“Opinions are immunity to being told you’re wrong. . .” As Relient K states simply in their song “The Only Thing Worse Then Beating a Dead Horse is Betting on One”. In this song Relient K has, “hit the nail on the head.” The same can be said about worldviews. It appears that many people have decided that because there is such diversity in beliefs, their own worldview is infallible. Yet despite popular belief, if one was to get to the very root object of worldviews, it would be found that there are very few varying beliefs. That being because, if one breaks each view down to its sole objective, it is found that most beliefs the root goal is to glorify man. The most prominent views this can be seen in are Humanism, Post-Modernism, and Greco-Roman Polytheism. In spite of the fact that these appear to be extremely different worldviews, the object of each of them is the glorification of man.
The only difference in these three worldviews is the form that they take. The sole objective of Humanism, Post-Modernism, and Greco-Roman Polytheism is the glorification of man.
There are many ways the above concept can be proven. But the most expedient way to approach this subject is to dissect each belief one at a time, unveiling the goal of each worldview separately.
All that is needed to prove that Humanism glorifies man is a short interrogation of two of their main beliefs. The first being that truth evolves and that man in turn must rely on his own reason to discover “the truth” of today. That in itself gives the glory to man, for if the only thing that one can reliable count on to find “the truth” is one’s own reason, then that reason must be just as relucent as the very truth that it finds out. The second belief is that morality is a fluid concept, ever changing with the society. This also adds to the concept that Humanism glorifies man; because, though something for a time can be immoral, in a few years it may be looked back upon as an honorable dead. With this shifting morality, humanity is thus exalted to the point that all deeds are considered morally correct and thus honorable.
Post-Modernism is much the same way. For one of the most prominent beliefs is that, “law does not exist outside of people.” If law does not exist outside of man, then by relation a Law Maker does not exist outside of man. Not only does this give glory to man for all good things in the law, but it also glorifies man through every good thing that happens through the law.
Lastly there is Greco-Roman Polytheism. All one needs to do to root out the glorification of man in Polytheism is to conduct an examination of the “gods” themselves. If one were to take but a cursory glance at them it is easy to observe amongst their anger, love, hate, and fear, a real human being. What is man but the very emotions that makes humanity human? Many will disagree with this by stating that the Greco-Roman “gods” are not mere symbols of man but actually all powerful entities themselves. But many will also know this has already been addressed by Saint Augustine in his book The City of God, in which, he quiet deftly points out that “. . . if it is an error to seek wine from Ceres, Bread from Liber, water from Vulcan, fire from the Lymphs, how much greater absurdity ought it to be thought, if supplication be made to any one of these for eternal life?” And if none of these “all powerful gods” is able to grant eternal life, what are they really?
Many would disagree with the ideas presented in this paper. Some would state that Humanism does not worship man; instead it states that man is an animal. In much the same way some will protest the thought that Post-Modernism worships man, because Post-Modernists are not religious, they simply follow logic and reason. But the very thought that humans are the same as animals can be refuted by the very fact of morality. If one was to step into the wilderness would he or she be witness to acts of mercy? Or more likely would they view a scene of complete lawlessness? This very thing marks the differences between man and animal. In much the same way Post-Modernists are unable to hide behind their logic and reason. For as one noted Post-Modernist, Sonia Sotomayor, stated at her speech at Berkley, “I . . . accept that our experiences as women and people of color affect our decisions. The aspiration to impartiality is just that--it's an aspiration. . .” If impartiality is but an aspiration, how can one follow logic and reason alone?
To conclude, the only worldviews that do not in some way or another worship man are the ones that have an all powerful and just God. And of those, there is only one that has any claim to truth. Though Christianity is looked at as a laughing matter, it is anything but. For if one is not careful in their beliefs they will find themselves in a much worse place. “In that place there will be weeping and a great gnashing of teeth.” [Matthew 13:42]
Reader Comments (3)
Bravo, Patrick! I especially like the last sentence...and how you used the Sotomayor quote. I'm so glad this blog was created- I've greatly enjoyed reading other folk's stuff:)
Great paper, Patrick! :D
When I heard your paper in Shakespeare class I wanted more! I came to the web-site and found this, I'm glad I did. Your paper is invariably supernal and worthy of remuneration! One of the most credible things I have ever read!