jar writes:
People are human. They will behave just about the same way regardless of the system they use as a basis.
Good point. I am reading a good book by Christian apologist R.C. Sproul. He contrasts humanism and Christianity. The Greek philosopher Protagoras issued the motto, homo mensura, "man is the measure."
R.C.Sproul writes:
Since Christianity is also deeply concerned about people,it is at some points difficult to distinguish Christianity from humanism. Both seek the healing of estranged relationships, and both honor the dignity of the human being. However, their bases for dignity are radically different. The Christian sees the horizontal, interpersonal relation(with others) as inseparable from the vertical relationship with God. ...
To establish human dignity without acknowledging the God of creation, the humanist must act in an arbitrary and irrational fashion. If humans rose by chance from chaos, why should dignity be ascribed to them? Since the advent of the Christian faith, humanism has constantly incorporated Christian values and ethics while ripping the heart out of Christianity's theological context. Yet that context is the only reason the values and ethics make sense. To be sure, our experience agrees with (humanists) assessment. It screams that life is valuable and that each person is a creature of immense worth and dignity. That scream is hollow, however, if it comes from a germ with no destiny but death. Human dignity is rooted in the holiness of God;it reflects God's dignity.
I agree with Sproul, for I believe that humans are more than mere evolved animals.
If Genesis shows us a snake that informs us that we shall someday be like God, this implies that evolution included human dignity. While I am no strict creationist by any means, I believe that humanity will never evolve into better and better moral creatures. Our dignity will find its completion in our communion with our Creator.