Hot buttons. Press one and prepare yourself for a heated
argument. It used to be that politics XE "politics" and religion XE
"religion" were the hot buttons but, in the last few decades, we define
the hot buttons with greater precision. Abortion, socialism XE
"socialism" , euthanasia XE "euthanasia" , liberal XE "liberal" sex
education XE "education" in the schools, pornography XE "pornography" ,
homosexuality XE "homosexuality" , recreational drugs XE "drugs" …the
list goes on. The passion, pro or con, in these arguments is intense and
growing. The buttons are more numerous and getting hotter. Typically,
participants in the arguments were often labeled “Conservatives XE
"Christians" ” on one side and “Liberals” on the other side. These
labels were appropriate if discussing economics, taxes, and the power of
government; however, the new hot buttons have merged with the old hot
buttons creating a new dynamic in every aspect of society. The old
labels do not define the fundamental cause of today’s polarization,
“Christianity” and “Humanism.” I use these words in quotes because they
are labels that require further definition. These issues are not debated
like intellectuals sitting at their gentleman’s club with brandy and
cigars quietly deliberating the pros and cons of the issues. Rather is
it like adolescents in a verbal street fight hurling names at each
other. I have also observed that, over the past few decades, the debates
have become institutionalized.
It is interesting to note that 150 years ago these terms
were not hot buttons. In fact, most of American society was in agreement
on these issues. Then, about 150 years ago, a fundamental change began
in the American (and Western society) and with it a new hot button –
evolution XE "evolution" . Evolution is tightly linked to most of the
hot buttons mentioned above. Humanism XE "Humanism" , although already a
well-developed philosophy XE "philosophy" , surged into popularity at
the same time. By the early 20th Century, Humanism was
established throughout much of the Western world as Socialism, Communism
XE "Communism" , and Progressivism XE "Progressivism" , all of which are
joined at the hip with the glue of Humanist philosophy.
In discussing the polarization XE "polarization" caused
by the Humanism XE "Humanism" -Christianity XE "Christianity" debate,
it is necessary to be clear about the terms “Humanist XE "Humanist" ”
and “Christian XE "Christian" ” as used in this book. A complete
understanding of Humanism is best gained by reviewing Appendix 3, The
Humanist Manifesto and we will explore the depths of it later in the
book XE "Humanist Manifesto" . However, for labeling purposes, we can
describe a Humanist as person who believes:
-
The universe
exists without any divine XE "divine" influence, all organisms,
including humans evolved by natural selection
-
There is no
God XE "God" , there is no spiritual existence, and the only
existence is physical
-
Religion is an
impediment to the advancement of society XE "God"
-
Morality XE
"Morality" is relative and defined by the individual and/or
society. Moral standards change with the preferences of society
-
Sexual
perversion, abortion XE "abortion" , and drug
use are individual rights not to be condemned by society
-
Perfection of
humanity is based on the advancement of society, collectively.
The description above is painted in broad strokes.
Actually, there are many flavors of Humanism just as there are many
flavors of Christianity. Humanism XE "Humanism" will be discussed in
greater detail in Parts 2 and 3 where we will reveal the relationship
between Humanism, Liberalism, Socialism, and Progressivism. Christianity
XE "Christianity" is more difficult to define. The basic definition of
a Christian XE "Christian" is stated as follows: A person who believes
that:
-
There is a
Triune God XE "God" who created all physical and non-physical
existence
-
Man is a
unique creation XE "creation" made in the image of God XE "God"
-
God XE "God"
cannot be known through philosophy XE "philosophy" or reasoning
but he, and his plan for humanity, is revealed through the Holy
Scriptures
-
Man is sinful
by nature XE "nature" and is doomed to hell
-
God XE "God"
begot a son, Jesus XE "Jesus" , who became a sacrifice for the
redemption of all humanity through his death and resurrection
-
Repentance and
faith in Jesus XE "Jesus" and the efficacy of his death and
resurrection is sufficient for an individual’s salvation XE
"salvation" .
But, as discussed in Chapter 4, this definition does not
cover the various “human artifacts” introduced into the practice of
Christianity as we observe the “Political Church XE "Political Church"
”, Philosophical Church XE "Philosophical Church" ”, “Social Church XE
"Social Church" ”, and more recently, the “Scientific Church XE
"Scientific Church" .”
One can see that, by the definitions alone, the potential
for conflict between Humanists and Christians XE "Christians" is great.
The conflict becomes even more intense when the basic philosophies of
each are implemented. The intensity of the conflict began with Darwin XE
"Darwin" and his theory of evolution XE "evolution" by natural
selection (atheistic evolution). A quick glance at the contents page of
this book reveals that nearly one-fifth of the book is devoted to the
Creationism XE "Creationism" -Evolutionism XE "Evolutionism" debate.
One might legitimately ask, “Why devote so much of this book to
evolution when hundreds of books have already been written on the
subject?” I must admit I deliberated on this for quite some time;
however, there are three important reasons to revisit this subject in
the context of Humanism XE "Humanism" , Christianity, and the
polarization XE "polarization" of America.
The first reason XE "reason" is that evolution XE
"evolution" in itself is an important element in the Humanist XE
"Humanist" -Christian XE "Christian" conflict. As such, it is important
to see both sides of the argument. The issue is far more complicated
than the efforts to prove one side or the other wrong. In order to
understand how Humanists promote and use evolution as a tool in
advancing their agenda in other areas, we must understand how Humanists
established evolution as fact without meeting the rigor of the
scientific method XE "scientific method" necessary for other legitimate
scientific pursuits. The methods used in promoting evolution are used
today in advancing the anti-Christian agenda described in the Humanist
Manifesto. As Sun Tzu XE "Sun Tzu" says in his book, The Art of War,
we must know the foe and a good way to gain insight to how Humanists
promote their agenda is to study how they promote evolution.
The second reason XE "reason" is that evolution XE
"evolution" is a thread that runs throughout the fabric of Humanism XE
"Humanism" . Humanists use it to support Atheism, abortion XE "abortion"
, and anti-Christian XE "Christian" policies in our society and
government. It is the justification for eugenics XE "eugenics" and
euthanasia. It is the door that opened our public schools XE "public
schools" to the Humanist XE "Humanist" philosophy XE
"philosophy" .
The third reason XE "reason" is that evolution XE
"evolution" is one of the cornerstones without which Humanism XE
"Humanism" would collapse. Humanism is based on the presumption that
there is no God XE "God" and, therefore, Man is the highest expression
of existence in the universe. This argument can only survive if there is
no divine XE "divine" Creator and evolution by natural selection offers
a “proof” that there is no God. For the Humanist XE "Humanist" , the
philosophy XE "philosophy" of Evolutionism XE "Evolutionism" is far
more important than the science of evolution.
Although an important element in the Humanism XE
"Humanism" -Christianity conflict, evolution XE "evolution" is just the
beginning. In Part 2, we explore how the concept of Secular Humanism
developed among the Enlightenment philosophers and is now expressed in
modern Socialism and Progressivism XE "Progressivism" . Although
Humanism, as the organized movement we see today, is a relatively new
philosophy XE "philosophy" , it has been with humanity for millennia, at
least in spirit, and we will investigate how the values expressed by
Humanists today were and integral part of the Roman Empire XE "Roman
Empire" as it began its decline. In fact, the conflict between Humanism
and Christianity has been an integral part of the Christian XE
"Christian" struggle from the beginning.
The major polarization XE "polarization" of America
began in the 1960’s. As courts with activist judges XE "activist judges"
and liberal XE "liberal" agendas supported abortion XE "abortion" ,
pornography XE "pornography" , teaching evolution XE "evolution" in
public schools XE "public schools" , and banned prayer or religious
references in schools and other public venues, it became apparent that
Christian XE "Christian" values were under attack; not just by people
who held a different view as in the past but by courts and government
institutions. Humanism was becoming institutionalized. A Christian could
not pray in school, but the teacher could explain how we got here
without any divine XE "divine" intervention. Students who raised
objections to natural selection, prayed or wore a crucifix might find
themselves suspended for a few weeks. The principles of Humanism XE
"Humanism" were gradually replacing the principles of Christianity XE
"Christianity" as the basis of social morality and ethics.
The implementing arm of Humanism XE "Humanism" is
progressive XE "progressive" politics XE "politics" and it has been a
factor in America for over 100 years. In Part 3, we will explore the
development of Progressivism XE "Progressivism" and specific impacts it
has on religion XE "religion" , education XE "education" , morality,
economics and, particularly, the Christian XE "Christian" community XE
"community" . Also discussed are solutions and actions the Christian
community can take to survive and thrive in an increasingly hostile
climate. How can we raise our children in a society that promotes sexual
promiscuity, homosexuality XE "homosexuality" , and abortion XE
"abortion" ? What should the response be to a society that increasingly
considers “Christian” as a derogatory word? How should a parent react
when they find out the school has arranged for their daughter’s abortion
without their knowledge and the courts support the school? What should a
parent do when a child is suspended from school for wearing a crucifix?
How can the Christian community engage and witness to the secular
community? Part 4 investigates solutions to these issues. The early
Church was faced with similar challenges. However, those Christians did
not merely survive they thrived. Perhaps the solutions for the
challenges facing the modern Church can be found in the early Church.
Talk about “hot button” issues! However, as bleak as this
picture appears, there is a solution. And every Christian XE "Christian"
already knows what it is-–it just has to be implemented.
