Humanism is not optimistic enough

The problem with the humanist assumption, that our natures are essentially good, is not that it is over-optimistic but that it is not optimistic enough. It leads to us trying to find goodness in others, which although is a noble and commendable quality for sure, on its own leads inevitably to a weighing-up between good and evil. Such a weighing-up for the humanist must, in the end, wait in hope and in judgement that the good is heavier than the evil. Whereas, assuming we are essentially beautiful because God made us in his image (Genesis 1: 27) is a much surer and deeper foundation for optimism, as there is no need any more to hopefully wait, weigh-up or judge. We can take this beauty for granted (as a divine given), and without hesitation; where we simply accept that whatever someone has become and whatever she has done (and however dreadfully the scales may tip), that God originally created her beautiful and in a variety of colours and shapes. Seeing ourselves and each other this way is the beginning of how God sees us – as undeservedly and unconditionally loved, and so seeing beyond our good and evil. 

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