THE MESS WE ARE IN

Friday, October 29, 2010

The worldview framed on campuses from the 1960's on has now entered the mainstream of American life.

American Demographics magazine, summarizing a demographic study done in 1997, noted that there has been "a comprehensive shift in values, worldviews, and ways of life" that so far affects about one-fourth of American adults; this is the New Class, or what the article called the "Cultural Creatives." They embrace a new "trans-modernist" set of values, including "environmentalism, feminism, global issues, and spiritual searching." they often have a background in movements for social justice, civil rights, feminism, and New Age spirituality. Thoroughly postmodernist, they are skeptical, if not resentful of moral absolutes. They "see nature as sacred" and emphasize self-actualization and spiritual growth. They tend to be antihierarchical and embrace a public philosophy that is decentralized, democratic and egalitarian.

The upshot is that the most significant clash of worldviews is not between traditional religions or cultures; it is between classic Christian theism and naturalism.

We are in a mess. From the time that study was done we have moved rapidly toward this crazy worldview that has no room for God.  We must know not only what our worldview is and why we believe it but also how to defend it.

(Taken and adapted from the absolutely wonderful book, How Now Shall We Live? by Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcey)