Fulton Sheen's 1944 lecture on the 7 Last Words.

The first of seven possible attitudes toward the Cross is that of humanism, for the first group to challenge the Cross was the humanists. The term humanist is here understood in the modern philosophical sense and embraces all those who want a religion without a Cross. They believe that man is naturally good, that progress is inevitable through science, and that human reason, by its own effort, is able to restore peace to the world and to consciences.

The prototypes of the humanists on Good Friday were the "passerbys." They think themselves wise because they had a passing acquaintance with Christ.

Their words? “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross” (Mt 27:40).

Christ's response? "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."