I think most observers of American society would agree that we are becoming a polarized nation. We are a nation divided. In fact, we are actually two very different nations sharing one geography, two nations enlivened by two very different moral and metaphysical visions. At this moment in our history two religious faiths are vying for the heart and soul of the United States. One is “anti-theist” atheism; the other is the faith of the founding fathers, theism, specifically Judeo-Christian theism. These two religious impulses lead inevitably to two very different kinds of societies. Let me stop for a second and state that many casual observers would not identify this as a foundational element to the moral battle for America, but I believe these 2 worldviews are providing the roots system to what we are seeing manifested in our country today.
Each of these worldviews can trace their roots back to particular writings that have influenced their thinking. For theistic Christians, we of course claim the Bible as our inspired word from God, and the road map for all decisions on truth and morality. On the contrary, Atheism, in many ways looks to the Humanist Manifestos as their “Bible.” The first of the three manifestos published in 1933, states the religious nature of Secular-Humanism:
The time has come for widespread recognition of the radical changes in religious beliefs throughout the modern world. The time is past for mere revision of traditional attitudes. Science and economic change have disrupted the old beliefs … In order that religious humanism may be better understood we, the undersigned, desire to make certain affirmations which we believe the facts of our contemporary life demonstrate.
From there, the manifesto goes on to declare that Secular Humanists are atheistic in theology. Note the first three affirmations:
- FIRST: Religious humanists regard the universe as self-existing and not created.
- SECOND: Humanism believes that man is a part of nature and that he has emerged as a result of a continuous process.
- THIRD: Holding an organic view of life, humanists find that the traditional dualism of mind and body must be rejected.
The eighth and ninth affirmations demonstrate the religious nature of atheists’ convictions:
- EIGHTH: Religious Humanism considers the complete realization of human personality to be the end of man’s life and seeks its development and fulfillment in the here and now. This is the explanation of the humanist’s social passion.
- NINTH: In the place of the old attitudes involved in worship and prayer the humanist finds his religious emotions expressed in a heightened sense of personal life and in a cooperative effort to promote social well-being.
So, what does all that mean?
1. The manifesto suggests there is no God. No intelligent being that has fashioned and created the universe and all that exists within it. It’s self-existing according to Point 1.
2. Man is a product of nature (evolutionary system) meaning he is not made in God’s image, according to point 2 of the manifesto. (Major implications here)
3. The manifesto rejects the dualistic aspect of man. Reducing humans down to the “straw” man concept. Materialistic man with no spirit capabilities.
4. Point 8, indicates that all that exists is the life we experience here and now. No afterlife. (Heaven and Hell)
5. Finally, point 9 empowers man to self actualize (Maslow’s theory) and strive for social well-being.
These are principles quite contrary to the truths of scripture.
So the question remains, how do these ideas affect us today? Many ideas have been discussed throughout the various republican presidential debates, but let’s focus on two for the sake of time. The legalization of homosexual marriage and sanctity of life and family. Only two of numerous hot topics in our nation today.
This divide of religious convictions leads to fundamental changes in principles and ultimately in governmental policies and in programs. Our principles will drive our policies and our policies will ultimately establish our programs. So if the principles we live by are atheistic so to will be the programs we eventually institute. We see this on the “principle” level with the recent re-interpretation of religious liberty as stated in the First Amendment to the constitution. A newly minted concept of “sexual” liberty is being introduced. What happens when the founders’ concept of religious liberty and the modern “right” of “sexuality liberty” conflict? Georgetown law professor, Chai Feldblum, who was appointed by President Obama to lead the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, makes clear which principle will guide her in developing policies and programs:
“Sexual liberty should win in most cases. There can be a conflict between religious liberty and sexual liberty, but in almost all cases the sexual liberty should win because that’s the only way that the dignity of gay people can be affirmed in any realistic manner.”
The product? The discussion that now rages in our culture over the legalization of homosexual marriage. All self-actualizing humans (point 9), created from material stuff (point 3), living in a solely material world where nothing beyond this life exists (point 8), after all should have the right to pursue that which makes them reach their “heightened sense of personal life.” It’s a dangerous route, but the atheistic roots are starting to take hold.
Another example that goes to the root of these two nations is the question of who is to parent children. Evolutionary biologist, Richard Dawkins raises the fundamental question as to who has the right to parent children.
“How much do we regard children as being the property of their parents? It’s one thing to say people should be free to believe whatever they like, but should they be free to impose their beliefs on their children? Is there something to be said for society stepping in? What about bringing up children to believe manifest falsehoods? Isn’t it always a form of child abuse to label children as possessors of beliefs that they are too young to have thought out?”
That Dawkins could imagine that parents regard children as “property,” rather than as human beings, is revealing. Yet this is to be expected when one begins from an atheistic and materialistic perspective. Everything is reduced to an object — children are property, women are sexualized, babies are “products of conception.” Enter, the recent discussions on abortion and the family. Senator Santorum spoke briefly 2 weeks ago in one of the debates about the need to preserve the family. Why is this concept so important? The Bible establishes the premise that the family is the fundamental institution and parents are responsible to raise and educate their children. When we allow the government or our institutions to raise our children we are failing in one of our fundamental responsibilities set forth by the bible.
The different perspectives of Atheism and Judeo-Christian faith will inescapably lead to two very different nations. The moral relativism of Atheism is redefining what is right and wrong. Our nation is leaving the absolute truths of the Bible and accepting that which seems right for each individual.
Judeo-Christian Theism, on the other hand, believes in moral and metaphysical absolutes. There exists absolute rights and absolute wrongs. Rooted in this assumption is the understanding that men and women are created in the image of God and from this assumption comes one of the most profound political assertions of all times.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed …
Freedom of speech, conscience, and religion are all the product of Judeo-Christian faith. Social historian Rodney Stark has put it very clearly in his book The Victory of Reason: “The modern world arose only in Christian societies. Not in Islam. Not in Asia. Not in a ‘secular’ society – there have been none.”
So here we sit as a nation, on the verge of another election, and a seemingly uncontrollable title wave of atheism is sweeping through our culture. As followers of Jesus what do we do? I do not have the answers but I believe the Bible gives us a great place to start….
2 Chronicles 7:14: “and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
* Various Ideas and sections in this entry were taken directly from http://darrowmillerandfriends.com/ Please visit Darrow's blog for more great insight and discussion on this topic and others.
* Various Ideas and sections in this entry were taken directly from http://darrowmillerandfriends.com/ Please visit Darrow's blog for more great insight and discussion on this topic and others.
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