Lesson 6: Humanism and religion

• Religious education
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Today: work on assignment with your group. Deadline: Friday 12-12

Humanism 2025

The Final Speech from The Great Dicator: ‘We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity; more than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost.

Lesson 6

Humanism and final assignment

Program

1. Conception of human nature

2. Final assignment: get to work!

Deadline: Friday 12th of December

Time in class to work on task: Today + Friday

Next week: Amnesty Writing + start Buddhism

Judaism

- Humans are created in the image of God (Tzelem Elohim - צֶלֶם אֱלֹהִים).

- Humans have free will to choose good or bad actions.

- Life is sacred, and every person has unique value.

- Humans are partners with God in improving the world (tikkun olam - תִּיקּוּן עוֹלָם).

- Following commandments (mitzvot) guides people toward a righteous life.

Christianity

- Humans are loved by God and created in His image.

- Humans are capable of good but also affected by sin.

- The purpose of life is love for God and for others, with Jesus as example.

- Salvation and forgiveness are possible through faith and following Jesus’ teachings.

- Humans have a soul that continues after death.

Islam

• Humans were created by Allah with honor and dignity.
• Humans serve as stewards (khalifah) of the earth and are responsible for their choices.
• People have free will, but must strive to follow Allah’s guidance. Discussion about making a choice or predestination.
• The purpose of life is to worship Allah and live a just, moral life.
• Every human is born pure (fitra) with a natural inclination toward goodness. All are born muslim.

Hinduism

• A human consists of a body and an eternal atman that comes from Brahman (soul).
• Life is a cycle of rebirth (samsara).
• Actions (karma) in this life shape the next.
• The goal is moksha — liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
• People may follow different spiritual paths (knowledge, meditation, devotion, righteous action).

Bahá’í Faith

• Humans possess a spiritual essence with potential for growth.
• All humans are equal and belong to one human family.
• Humans are responsible for working toward world peace and justice.
• Spiritual development is more important than material success.
• God reveals guidance through Messengers across history (e.g., Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, Bahá’u’lláh).