‘New Humanism’ and the Fear of ‘Christianity being Wiped out’

Humanism emerged as to resolve tensions between tradition and modernity and to reconcile individual rights with newly emerging duties of citizenship, the new humanism has the context of globalization with its complex and sometimes contradictory manifestations. The new humanism promotes the social inclusion of every human being at all levels of society and underlines the transformative power of education, sciences, culture and communications. It is a collective effort that holds governments, civil society, the private sector and human individuals equally responsible to realize its values and to design creatively and implement a humanist approach to a sustainable society, based on economic, social and environmental development.

The humanist framework according to the preamble of the UNESCO Constitution is in the pursuit of peace. Not only is peace of great benefit to human beings, but the whole human family holds primary responsibility for it. They must work towards it through the nature of their intentions and the strength of their will. international cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture and communication.

It is through the development and following of a culture, we manifest ourselves. Beyond all diverse forms of cultures, we have a common human culture. Through communication, through language learning and dialogue, through scientific cooperation, we can go beyond the limits of ourselves, we can broaden our knowledge, discover other customs, and enter the ideal city of the mind, aware of the humanity that binds us together.

The ‘New Humanism’ in ‘Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the Launch of the Global Compact on Education’

The transformation that we face today is not only cultural but also anthropological. The process of ‘rapidification’ has trapped our existence in a whirlwind of high-speed technology and computerization, continually altering our points of reference. our very identity is shattered and our psychological structure dissolves as the constant changes contrast with the naturally slow pace of biological evolution.

Taking courage to reject the throwaway culture and the attitude of commodification of nature and humankind, a central place must be given to the value proper to each creature in its relationship to the people and realities surrounding it, as well as a lifestyle. Moving away from a culture of commercializing process, we may begin to learn that the whole world is deeply interconnected envisioning new ways of economics, politics, growth and progress. There we will have the courage to place the human person at the center, not profit. Here human life and developments are not placed into reducible patterns of human endeavors whereas to keep Christ away from the picture.

So, ‘Reinventing the Global Compact on Education’ desires to form an educational alliance, to form mature individuals capable of overcoming division and antagonism, and to restore relationships for the sake of a more fraternal humanity. It aims at an education that integrates and respects all aspects of the person, uniting studies and everyday life, teachers, students and their families, and civil society in its intellectual, scientific, artistic, athletic, political, business and charitable dimensions. Thus, this mode of education hopes for a coming together, for an alliance that generates peace, justice and hospitality among all peoples of the human family, as well as dialogue between religions. It also enhances a union between the earth’s inhabitants and our “common home”, which we are bound to care for and respect. How can we call the earth which God created and filled with gift of diverse form of life a common home of devils? This life and beauty also is a sign of grace that can gather us together as the children of god and as one family.

Taking courage to get the most out of our best energies, creatively and responsibly to form a human conscience that is “open, responsible, prepared to listen, dialogue and reflect with others, and capable of weaving relationships with families, between generations, and with civil society…” It is the ‘new humanism’ that Pope Francis calls for. Can you find anything demonic in it?  Yet this is what he is blamed for.

Since every change calls for an educational process that involves everyone we need to create an “educational village”, in which all people, according to their respective roles, share the task of forming a network of open, human relationships. All institutions are called to reexamine the aims and methods that determine how they carry out their educational mission. New educational system aims to enable themselves in service to the community, a service that establishes human relationships of closeness and bonds of solidarity with the neediest of people.

The blame on Pope Francis for his call for a new system of education to be demonic and potential to wipe away Christianity demands clarity on what it means by Christianity that is feared to be at danger.

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References:

Bokov, Irina. "A New Humanism for the 21st Century." (October 10, 2010)  Accessed September 27, 2019. www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/a_new_humanism_for_the_21st_century/www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/a_new_humanism_for_the_21st_century/

Francis Pope. Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the Launch of ‘The Global Compact On Education.’ (September 12, 2019) Accessed September 27, 2019.  http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/pont-messages/2019/documents/papa-francesco_20190912_messaggio-patto-educativo.html

Orville, Hans d’. "New Humanism and Sustainable Development." Cadmus. 2. no. 5 (Octobr 2015): 90-100.