Humanism’s challenge to young people
Humanism defined
“Humanism is the effort of men to
think, to feel, and to act for themselves, and to abide by the logic of
results. In each case a new method is
suddenly apprehended, tested, and
carried firmly to its conclusion.
Authority, habit, orthodoxy, are
disregarded or defied. The argument
is pragmatic, realistic, human.
Humanism’s challenge to young people
Humanism defined
“The question, 'Has this new thing a
value?', is decided directly by the
individual in the court of his
experience; and there is no appeal.
That is good which is seen to satisfy
the human test, and to have brought
an enlargement of human power.”
Humanism’s challenge to young people
Humanist ethics
“We affirm that moral values
derive their source from human
experience. Ethics is autonomous
and
situational,
needing
no
theological or ideological sanction.
Ethics stems from human need and
interest. To deny this distorts the
whole basis of life. Human life has
meaning because we create and
develop our futures.”
Humanism’s challenge to young people
Humanist ethics
“Happiness
and
the
creative
realism of human needs and
desires, individually and in shared
enjoyment, are continuous themes
of humanism. We strive for the
good life, here and now. The goal
is to pursue life’s enrichment
despite
debasing
forces
of
vulgarization, commercialization,
bureaucratization, and dehumanization.”
Humanism’s challenge to young people
Humanism and the individual
The preciousness and dignity of
the individual person is a central
humanist
value.
Individuals
should be encouraged to realize
their own creative talents and
desires. We reject all religious,
ideological, or moral codes that
denigrate
the
individual,
suppress freedom, dull intellect,
dehumanize personality.
Humanism’s challenge to young people
Humanism and the individual
We believe in maximum individual
autonomy consonant with social
responsibility. Although science
can account for the causes of
behavior, the possibilities of
individual freedom of choice exist
in human life and should be
increased.
Humanism’s challenge to young people
A vital subject for us
 The “unclean spirits” of the French
Revolution have broken down the moral
framework of society –
.
 Humanism has completely undermined
Divine principles surrounding courtship,
marriage and family life.
 Our most serious challenge will be to
identify where we have been influenced
by Humanist thought and implement
changes to our attitude we perceive to be
necessary.
Humanism’s challenge to young people
John’s writing interrupted
by Christ –
“And I saw three
unclean spirits like
frogs….. Behold, I
come as a thief…..
And he gathered
them together”
The spirits of devils –
 A “spirit” here is an ideology or way of
thinking –
.
 “devils” is daimon (demons) – used of the
madness of Legion, of insanity and disease;
but also of earthly wisdom –
(daimoniōdēs) which produces
(
).
 The spirits of the French Revolution –
,
and
– fit this
description.
Humanism’s challenge to young people
Humanism's Foundations
The 3 ‘unclean spirits’ are manifested
in the doctrine of Humanism
1. Man is not natively depraved;
2. The end of life is life itself, the good
life on earth instead of the beatific
life after death;
3. Man is capable, guided solely by
the light of reason and experience,
of perfecting the good life on earth;
Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn
Humanism's Foundations
4. The first and essential condition of
the good life on earth is the freeing
of men's minds from the ignorance
and superstition, and their bodies
from the arbitrary oppression of the
constituted social authorities.
"The Heavenly City of the 18th Century
Religion Philosophers" pg.102
Society based on Biblical principles
Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn
What Humanism is doing to
society and our community
 Humanism’s progress is overwhelming –
there is a strong tendency to acquiesce.
 The frog in the hot water syndrome.
Put the frog in cold water and
heat it up, and it cooks!
Humanism’s challenge to young people
The subtlety of Fabian Socialism
 Named after Quintus Fabius Maximus
Verrucosus. He being called 'Cunctator'
(Latin for "delayer").
 The Fabian Society was founded in 1884
- adopting the tactics of Fabius who was
famous for elusive gradual tactics in
securing victory over superior forces.
He avoided head on confrontation but
worked on the principle of gradualness.
Humanism’s challenge to young people
The scourge of Fabian Socialism
Why Australia is like it is at the
turn of the century!
 “...the classic concept of Fabianism, the
inevitability of gradualness, ...represents
an unchanging truth and a fixed principle
of the Labour Party. I gladly acknowledge the debt my Government owes to
Fabianism." .
Humanism’s challenge to young people
Wives in the
1950’s
“Have
dinner
“Prepare
yourself:
“Listen
to children:
him:
“Prepare
“Make
himyour
comfortable:
“Clear
away
the
ready.
Plan
ahead,
Take
15
minutes
Take
amay
few
minutes
You
have
a
Have
him
lean
clutter.
Make
one
to
wash
the
even
the
night
to
rest
so
you
dozen
things
tell
back
in
atowill
last
trip
through
children’s
hands
and
be
refreshed
when
before
to
have
a
him...Let
him
talk
comfortable
chair
the
main
part
of
faces
(if they
are
he
arrives.
Touch
first.”
or
suggest
he
lie
delicious
meal
on
the
house
just
small);
comb
their
up
your
make
The
Goal:
down
in
the
time.
This
is
a up;
way
before your
hair
and
if
necessary
put
a
ribbon
ina
Try
to
make
your
bedroom.
Have
of
letting
him
husband
arrives,
change
their
clothes.
your
hair,
and
be
home
a
place
of
cool
or warm
drink
gathering
up
know
that
you
They are little
fresh
looking.
He
peace
and
order
ready
for
him.
school
books,
toys,
have
been
thinking
treasures and he
has
just
been
with
where
your
husband
Arrange
his
pillow
paper,
etc.
Then
about
him
and
are
would like to see
acan
lot
of
work
weary
renew
himself
and
offer
take
off
run
a
dust
cloth
them
playing
the
concerned about
people.”
inover
body
and
spirit.”
his
shoes...”
the
tables.”
part.”
his
needs.”
Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn
So, what do
you think?
 Is this advice totally
consistent with
Scriptural teaching?
 What is wrong with it, if
anything?
 Can you see anything
right with it?
Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn
Women's liberation - Its impact
on society
 1975 - International Women's Year - a
watershed. Since then women have
sought and largely gained:
 Government sponsored "affirmative
action" programs.
 the right to have their own career
unhindered by family commitments.
 equality with men in the workplace EEO, equal pay and promotional
opportunities.
Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn
Women's liberation - Its impact
on society
 Government and employer
subsidised childcare facilities.
 equality in the Church - even to the
priesthood and ministry.
 Some of the consequences:
 disappearance of traditional family
life.
 rapidly increasing rate of divorce and
remarriage.
Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn
Women's liberation - Its impact
on society
 growing number of defacto
“marriages”.
 emergence of "step-families" through
remarriage.
 dramatic growth of dining out for
evening meals.
 men forced to accept domestic
duties.
Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn
Destruction of the Family
SELECTION FROM THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS
AT THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S
CONFERENCE - MEXICO 1975
“No woman should be authorised to stay
at home to raise her children. Women
should not have that choice, precisely
because if there is such a choice, too
many women will make that one.
It is a way of forcing women in a certain
direction. We see it as part of a global
reform of society which would not
accept that old segregation between men
and women in the home and the outside
world.”
Destruction of the Family (Cont.)
We think that every individual,
woman as well as man, should work
outside and have the possibility,
either
by
communal
living,
collectives,
or
another
way
of
organising the family, of solving the
problem of child care.
In my opinion, as long as the family,
and the myth of maternity, and the
maternal instinct are not destroyed,
women will still be oppressed.”
Divorce – Scourge
of the Latter Days
 On the introduction of the Family Law Act
in Australia in 1976 there were 63,230
divorces and
.
 45,600 divorces in 1992.
 Average duration of marriages was less
than 10 years in the 1990’s.
 Average age of divorcees is 38.7 for men
and 35.9 for women.
 2 in 3 first, and 1 in 2 second marriages end
in divorce.
Equality of women with men
We hear much in some parts of the world of
the political rights and equality of women
with men; and of their preaching and
teaching in public assemblies. We need
wonder at nothing which emanates from
the unenlightened thinking of sinful flesh.
There is no absurdity too monstrous to be
sanctified
by
unspiritualized
animal
intellect. Men do not think according to
God's thinking, and therefore it is they run
into the most unscriptural conceits; among
which may be enumerated the political and
social equality of women.
Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn
“because of the angel”
Trained
to
usefulness,
of
cultivated
intellect, and with moral sentiments
purified and ennobled by the nurture and
admonition of the Lord's truth, women are
"helps meet" for the Elohim; and much too
good for men of ordinary stamp.
The sex is susceptible of this exaltation;
though I despair of witnessing it in many
instances till "the Age to come." But, even
women of this excellency of mind and
disposition, were it possible for such to do
so, would be guilty of indiscretion,
presumption, and…….
Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn
“species of actresses”
rebellion against God's law, in assuming
equality of rank, equality of rights, and
authority over man, which is implied in
teaching and preaching.
It is the old ambition of the sex to be equal
to the gods; but in taking steps to attain it,
they involved themselves in subjection to
men. Preaching, and lecturing, women, are
but species of actresses, who exhibit upon
the boards for the amusement of sinful and
foolish men. ……
Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn
True adornment
They aim at an equality for which they are
not physically constituted; they degrade
themselves by the exhibition, and in
proportion as they rise in assurance, they
sink in all that really adorns a woman.
Bro. John Thomas - Elpis Israel
“Look unto the rock from
whence ye are hewn”
Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn
Living as children of light
“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the
Lord, that you must no longer live as the
Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
They are darkened in their understanding
and separated from the life of God because
of the ignorance that is in them due to the
hardening of their hearts. Having lost all
sensitivity, they have given themselves over
to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind
of impurity, with a continual lust for more.”
Ephesians 4:17-19 (NIV)
Humanism’s challenge to young people
Some things we can all do!
 Read the Word of God every day
 Involve ourselves and our families fully in
the ecclesia
 Talk with our children
 - show real interest in their lives
 - be a careful listener
 - be a gentle and persistent instructor
 Don't dodge issues! Face up to them, as
hard and foreign they might be
 Pray continually
Humanism’s challenge to young people
Practical action steps
 Be aware of what is happening at school,
and university – the education system is
geared to promoting Humanism.
 Prepare for Secondary and Tertiary
education – to be forearmed is crucial!



take care with subject choices;
plan, prioritize and balance the use of
time;
build a network of good friends in the
Truth – old and young (peers).
Humanism’s challenge to young people
“Are you willing?”
“There is only one work
in which God has any
actual need of your
assistance, and that is
the work of your own
salvation.” –
Humanism’s challenge to young people
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Humanism’s challenge to young people