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Tim Knapp (Daily Bee, Jan. 26, 2017) improperly conflates secular humanism with despotism; falsely blaming the former for the “violence and discord”perpetrated by the latter. The “Affirmations of Humanism – Counsel for Secular Humanism” promote mutual respect, equal justice, democratic governance, and human dignity. The dictators whom Mr. Knapp has previously listed were most assuredly not practicing humanists. They were power-hungry authoritarians who violated virtually all of humanism’s basic precepts. By wrongly categorizing violent historical figures as humanists, Mr. Knapp has become yet another purveyor of fake news consisting of “alternative facts.”

Mr. Knapp cites Gary Jensen as an authority on religion’s impact on society. In the article Mr. Knapp referenced, Jensen concludes, “Those nations with the highest homicide rates tend to be those that can be characterized as high in religious passion or passionate dualism (God versus Devil), and the United States falls in that set.” If Mr. Knapp wants to blame “violence and discord” on a worldview, he need look no further than his own.

The historical trend of decreasing human violence reported by Steven Pinker is well documented. Even the author of the article Mr. Knapp cites in opposition says, “For the most part (barring a few significant exceptions), my quarrel is not with the facts which Pinker adduces in support of his case ...”

Secular humanists do not require belief in a supernatural scorekeeper to lead decent, compassionate, and productive lives. Despite indoctrination to the contrary, that is likely true of most theists as well.

JACK DeBAUN

Sandpoint

P.S. - To verify my comments regarding Gary Jensen’s article, search for “Religious Cosmologies and Homicide Rates – The Divine Conspiracy” on the Internet.