The Humanists were a group of thinkers during the Renaissance who emphasized the value of human beings, individualism, and the study of classical texts. They argued for the separation of governance from Christian principles, advocating that political authority should be based on reason and secular ethics rather than religious doctrine. This idea was revolutionary at the time, as it challenged the Church's influence over political matters and laid the groundwork for modern secular governance. The Humanists believed that a government should serve the people and be based on rational thought, which significantly influenced the development of political philosophy and the concept of democracy.