SECULAR OR SACRED?

What is Secularism?

Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will from your heart. Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men, Ephesians 6:6-7 (HCSB)

Justice Potter Stewart, in writing an opinion to describe the threshold test for obscenity in 1964 stated “I know it when I see it”, uttered one of the most famous phrases to come out of the Supreme Court. I have encountered many things in life that are hard to describe adequately, but you understand when you see it. Trying to define secularism is at times easier to define by the obvious fruit it bears. Matt Slick posts an article entitled “What is a Christion World View and Why do Christians Need One?” where he describes the condition of our society (http://www.carm.org/issues/worldview.htm). As you read this excerpt, you will begin to understand what secular really means.

“The fruit of the secular world view can be seen in around us. As we observe society, it is evident that not all is well. Television has degenerated into a bordello of violence, soft-pornography, anti-family sit-coms, commercials that appeal to immediate gratification, and senseless children’s cartoons that are full of violence, occultism, and disobedience to parents. It often portrays pastors as psychotics, priests as pedophiles, and religious people as insecure, ignorant, and bigoted.

The News is extremely biased and when speaking in areas where religious and secular morals collide, it uniformly presents information with loaded words. Instead of “pro-life” we hear “anti-abortion rights.” Instead of “conservative” it is “right wing fundamentalist.” Other words are used such as “Bible thumpers,” “censorship,” “intolerance,” “bigoted,” etc.

“According to the Center for Media and Public Affairs, the average TV watcher sees 14,000 references to sex and the average child “watches 8,000 murders and 100,000 acts of violence by the end of elementary school.”

Illegitimacy is on the rise. In 1970 babies born out of wedlock were 10% of all births. In 1991, it was 30%. Rape is increasing as is violent crime, venereal disease, drug usage, and prison populations.

In many American schools the “Impressions” series is promoting the New Age and the occult. Some programs have students being taught that they alone are the ones who should decide if drug use is good or bad. Many school textbooks teach anti-family values, promote homosexuality, teach moral relativism, encourage sexual conduct, and, of course, instill evolution as a fact. In addition, they condemn the notion of a Christian God even being mentioned. Consider the following:

“When 10-year old Raymond Raines bowed his head and silently said grace over lunch in a St. Louis public school cafeteria, he was placed in detention for a week and told that he must eat in a room by himself if he continued to pray.”

“When 30 Texas high school students gathered to pray at the flagpole before school one morning, the principal politely told them not only to leave, but to pray out of sight.”

“In Illinois, a high school principal sent police to break up a similar prayer group. Two students were arrested.”

Obviously, America (and the world) is in desperate need of the life changing gospel of Jesus.”

Today’s Prayer

Dear Lord,

Please give me a worldview that is focused on what is right and not what is convenient. Help me to raise the standards by which we live instead of just making more money. Help me to live for You! In Jesus Name, Amen.