Two Letters to the Editor from Humanists of Utah members were published in The Salt Lake Tribune during September. Earl Wunderli (September 10, 1996) and Flo Wineriter (September 9, 1996) each had a response to the letter condemning humanism written by Dale Hawkins.

Earl Wunderli:

Professor Dale R. Hawkin's seeming defense of BYU President Merrill J. Bateman, and his assertion that "the deplorable conditions in society today are the result of the teachings of atheistic doctrines" (Forum, August 29) both require comment.

First, Bateman was not accused of "stealing unique ideas" from Professor Gertrude Himmelfarb's mode of expression. More precisely, Bateman was accused of using "a sequential summary of (Himmelfarb's) ideas and writing" without attribution (Sunstone, September 1996), which is plagiarism. In other words, plagiarism consists not of stealing unique ideas, but of using, without attribution, someone else's mode of expressing ideas, even ideas that, in Hawkins' words, are "well-known facts" rather than "'unique' ideas of original authorship." Bateman understood this distinction when he admitted that his attribution to Himmelfarb "could and should have been clearer" (Salt Lake Tribune, August 27).

Second, Hawkins has found what seems to be an ideological scapegoat for the "deplorable conditions of society." But deplorable conditions have always existed. War, poverty, in humaneness, crime, hatred and ignorance have been with us from the beginning of time, and today, in addition to these, environmental degradation and overpopulation threaten our very survival. Naming any scapegoat does little to solve problems; using our intelligence and compassion, and sharing ideas with civility and open minds, do much more.

In the big picture, some progress is being made. Experimental science, just a few centuries old, has discovered and is discovering vast amounts of reliable knowledge about us, our world and our universe which we can use to make life better for everyone. The increasing number of democratic governments is protecting human rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for more people than ever before. In spite of the shortcomings in our own society, I rather suspect that Hawkins would, like me, rather live in this country at this time than at any other place or time in history.

Florien Wineriter:

As president of the Humanists of Utah, I would like to respond to Dale R. Hawkins (Froum, August 29), who impugned the effects of secular humanism.

Professor Hawkins is objectively correct in stating the basic ideology of secular humanism, but his subjective conclusions are unsubstantiated. As he stated, secular humanism does promote "atheist doctrines of moral relativism"; John Dewey and William James are the 20th century philosophers who defined current interpretations and applications of godless humanism.

We do not dispute Hawkins' description of secular humanism, but we strongly disagree with his conclusions that humanism is the cause of the decline of moral values, the destruction of families, and the deplorable conditions of our society.

Contrary to Hawkins' conclusions, humanism puts the emphasis on humans solving problems without the imposed authority of religious or secular dogma. Humanism is committed to rational thinking and responsible behavior.

We encourage moral excellence, ethical relationships and human dignity; compassion, cooperation and community. Humanists have faith in the human capacity for goodness without the fear of supernatural intervention or post-life punishment.