Lesson 4 - Non-religious groups

• Levensbeschouwing
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 1

Unit 3: 

The origins of world religions

Lesson 4:

Non-religious groups

Lesson goals & lesson structure

Goals

• Knowledge: the key words 'humanism', 'agnostic' and 'atheist'
• Skills: able to mention some influential non-religious people 

Structure

1. Explanation: humanism, agnostic, atheist
2. Video's + poll question
3. Assignment: now try this
4. Reflection: what do we know now?

Humanism

• Humanism is a belief that people can live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs. 
• Humanists form the best known non-religious group. 
• Humanists claim that people should make the best of the life they have, creating their own meaning and purpose.
• Morals are based on personal experience, not on religious belief.

Agnostic and atheist

• An agnostic is someone who doubts the existence of a god or gods.
• An atheist is someone who does not believe in a god or gods. 

Influential non-religious people

1. Charles Darwin (1809 - 1882) - known for his contributions to evolutionary theory in biology
2. Charles Bradlaugh (1833 - 1891) - known for his ideas that started the National Secular Society in England
3. Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970) - a famous mathematician and philosopher, with strict atheistic ideas, viewed religious belief as non-sensical

Who's ideas do you like the most so far?

Charles Darwin

Bertrand Russell

Now try this (p. 53)

• Complete the 'now try this'-exercise on page 53. 
• We'll discuss your answers in seven minutes. 

Reflection: what do we know now?

• Humanism is a belief that people can lead good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs. 
• Agnostic doubt the existence of god, atheists don't believe in god.