“This week more than 75 million young people will return to the classrooms of America to learn about life and living for their future. What exactly will they learn that will help them become outstanding citizen’s and individuals?.” 

 I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about education in America for the 21^st century …

…This week more than 75 million young people will return to the American classroom of our schools, to learn about life and living for their future. Children across the country are sharpening their pencils, loading up their backpacks, and will soon slide their legs under their pint-sized desks. As they go back to classroom, many changes are taking place in our American schools. For one the faces that make up the mix of people will significantly shift to recognize a healthy mix of races as diversity is on the verge of an explosion in America 's grade schools.

Yet, the makeover is far from limited to ethnic people. The physical classroom is also expected to get a facelift. Thanks to technology, access to information will be unprecedented. The children of 2010 will have learning experiences that their parents could not have imagined when they first walked through the school gates. It's said that Generation Xers embraced computers in high school and college. Generation Ys were introduced to them in primary and/or secondary schools. But Generation Zers may be computer literate even before they get to school. For these kids, multimedia will effectively replace the chalkboard permanently. Lessons will be enriched in ways that would have left our mouths ajar even five years ago.

Nonetheless, many parents are excited and relieved to send their kids back to school, often just get them out of their “hair.” Others, are a bit reluctant to do so, knowing that many things they learn in school or through their peers contradict their beliefs and even can be dangerous to their spiritual, social and mental health. However, education is obviously not an option. For in America it is mandatory either for parents to send their children to the government run public schools or to some private institute of education.

But as we send our children back to school, surely we must ask: “What are they going to learn, and what philosophy of life will be the standard behind all the teaching?” Well in a moment, I’m going to share that with you…

…As we talk about education, the obvious reason is, we are concerned about the future of our children and our nation. Tomorrow’s leaders are now sitting in those classrooms, and what they learn will motivate and direct them in governing our nation. Yet most thinking people today are worried about our future and what’s ahead for our children and grandchildren. Our entire western civilization, which was solidly built on Christian principles and philosophy, has been in serious moral decline for more than a half century. In our lifetimes, the social fabric of American society appears to have hopelessly been unraveling. Christian homes have not been immune to this process of social and moral deterioration. While Christianity may appear to be strong superficially, it has nonetheless been undermined by insidious philosophical, social, cultural, and political forces that have begun with public education.

Now from a Christian perspective, we must admit we are living in times comparable to the decline and fall of the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah . While all appeared prosperous on the surface, in the days of King Jeroboam II, in the northern kingdom of Israel , there was real danger of national collapse. Jeroboam II’s reign was a time of ease and prosperity, but at the same time on their border gathered the great and fierce nation of Assyria that would eventually swallow them up.

To help Israel maintain God’s protection and blessings, God sent them His prophets to call God’s people to repentance and change. In like manner, God gives us His pastors and evangelists in the Church to call people to repent of their sins and turn back to God. Sadly, history reports that God’s great prophets such as Isaiah and Jeremiah were ultimately unsuccessful in producing national repentance, yet they did extend the life of the southern kingdom of Judah for a while.

I say all this to remind you that our nation desperately needs the voice of God to monitor and judge the direction and paths we are taking as a nation, especially in educating tomorrow’s leaders and the people of America . So let me play the role of the Old Testament prophet and warn you of a most dangerous path we are taking, and to encourage you to turn from it to save this nation and our children of today and tomorrow.

Now America ’s problems today all varied and complex indeed. Yet there is one denominator that is found at the root and base of them all. It is what today is called the philosophy of SECULAR HUMANISM. Secular humanism is a teaching and way of life that simply rejects the idea that there is a sovereign Creator God who rules over us. And, since there is none in their view, we are in effect our own gods and can do as we please. This mistaken idea believes there are no consequences in this life of the next for actions lived. Consequently, as we examine public education for our children today we can find that this philosophy of life exclusively rules the classrooms and colleges of the nation.  Being the foundation of all teaching within public education, your children and grandchildren, if enrolled in public education, are at serious eternal risk.   Think of this, for  five days a week and about six hours a day they have this alien way of life and living drummed into their heads, to form and fashion every way and decision of life. Now one might ask, what is SECULAR HUMANISM?

“Secular humanism” is a religion and a philosophy of life, which views man as the supreme being of the universe. It rejects the existence of God and the supernatural. It sees moral values as relative, changing, and varying from person to person. Thus, it is important for every Christian to know the subtle ways that secular humanism is manifesting itself all around us. It is important for us to make decisions on a daily basis that demonstrate that we have not been captured, to any degree, by this intoxicating and persuasive philosophy and religion. In fact God’s Word for the Christian warns us not to embrace or accept this way of life or teaching in our hearts or subject our children to it as well. The Bible says clearly:

Jer 10:2 (NIV)  "The LORD says: "Do not learn the ways of the nations …”

"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8)

Although the philosophy of secular humanism is not distinctly defined for us here, it obviously refers to any teachings of life that reject the God of the Bible and place man in His position and authority. However, this is what we have today and frankly, it not only rules the government public schools teachings, but every facet of society today.

If you have children and send them to any public school in America , they will be taught and learn that all life and living is based on this anti-Christian philosophy.  Now let me ask you. What difference can Christianity make, which is based on the philosophy of the Bible, if only taught for less than one hour on Sunday in our Churches, when faced with five days a week, teaching of secular humanism? The truth is Christians are losing their children to the ravages and lifestyles of humanism every day. Why the very sins God’s Word speaks about are desired ways of life for our young people today, especially when they get to the secular colleges for final reinforcement of the anti-god teachings of evolutionism and humanism combined.

Oh you might say here comes the “gloom and doom” commentator with his fanatical cry against all things. But the truth is I must cry out, for I see the perils of secular education today ruining the multitudes of young people who ignorantly embrace the false and dangerous philosophy of rejecting God as the rule of one’s life.

Now let me outline for you what your child will be taught in the public schools of America as they return the classroom this week. I might add, these teachings, by law and severe enforcement, will be drummed into their minds. Here’s an outline with reference to Specific topics that are important to our Christian view of life…

TEN TEACHINGS AND BELIEFS OF SECULAR HUMANISM

1. BELIEF ABOUT GOD – Humanists teach there is no sufficient and reliable evidence that any Creator God existed or exists today. Thus, the realm of the supernatural is just fantasy to them and is meaningless or irrelevant for the human race. So, atheism or agnosticism rule here by government edict.

2. BELIEF ABOUT MAN’S ORIGINS – Humanists believe that evolution is the origin of all life in a self-existing universe. Therefore, man is simply a part of the material universe and has no meaning or purpose apart from it. Our young people grow up with this idea and many contemplate suicide as a result.

3. BELIEF ABOUT THE NATURE OF MAN – Humanists believe that we are just another animal that evolved into life and as such we die like “dogs,” for following death there is no existence whatsoever. In addition, humanists believe that man is inherently good by nature and has the ability to rule himself by his intellect rather than by any divine guidance. Therefore, moral values can only be derived from human experience. Ethics are simply the result of what best fits the need of an individual and all ethics are right, provided they please man.

4. BELIEFS ABOUT JUDGMENT - Humanists vehemently reject any idea of the concept of God’s judgments. Since God doesn’t exist, man is accountable only to himself for he is the measure of all things. Since there is no higher power, we can make or own judgments of what’s right or wrong.

5. BELIEFS ABOUT BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS – Humanists believe that mankind must set his own standards for behavior through science and reason. These standards can and must change to accommodate the needs and desires of each generation. Consequently what one generation rejected, the next can embrace for their desired good. Behavior can never be judged evil.

5. BELIEFS ABOUT HUMAN LIFE –Humanists believe that life originate by evolutionary chance. Therefore no human life has inherent value or sacredness. Life is to be valued only if desired and or productive. Consequently, when human life is not desired or socially productive it may be destroyed by abortion, infanticide, euthanasia or even suicide.

7. BELIEFS ABOUT SIN AND EVIL – Humanists do not believe there is such a thing as sin or evil, apart from rejecting their views. Humanists reject the idea of man being born with a sin nature that will, unless restrained, revert to wicked and harmful living in society. All behavior that one wishes to do, provided it doesn’t impede another’s, is acceptable and to be promoted.

8. BELIEFS ABOUT SEXUAL CONDUCT AND RELATIONSHIPS -  Since Humanists get their standards of sexual conduct from human experiences, personal pleasure is the primary standard of what is good and right. If so, then it follows humanist can place no restraints on sexual freedom from the earliest age of life. There can then be no condemnation for fornication, adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism or any other sexual variance.

9. BELIEFS ABOUT SOCIAL GOVERNING – Humanists believe that man is inherently good, and thus the “best and wisest” of men should therefore rule over all others. The goal then is to find these “few” enlightened men to establish human government; and, for them to properly rule others for their good. Consequently, they work to establish a strong federal or centralized civil government to rule over the masses. These forms of government are known to us mildly as socialism, and bluntly as a form of communism. Humanists believe that if the right people are set in place to rule our nation, then their thinking will be guide every facet of our lives under their rule for our good. For this to be effective, things like “patriotism” and “nationalism” must give way to global government known as one-world government. Our schools shun patriotism and nationalism now as a result.

10. BELIEFS ABOUT EDUCATION -  For the Humanist, the major unifying factor of promoting their faith and religion is to use public education today as their pulpit. Children are viewed as property of the state. The Humanist’s primary aim is the social adjustment of children into group-oriented mentality. Education is more social not and less content oriented, have you noticed? Self-development is stressed rather than learning from the wisdom of the past or God’s Word. However, secular does not equal “neutral,” as they espouse. Rather, the public education system from elementary to college level is an enforced monopoly of the religion of Humanism! There is nothing neutral about it! 

 PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE REALLY PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS IN DISGUISE!  

Now let me ask you. Are all these principles of life and living taught in public education? The answer is 100% yes! In fact, these teachings are mandated by law as falsely interpreted by the new mantra, the “separate of Church and state” dogma of the humanist who wishes no question of their philosophies of life. Yet, where has such teachings for the past 100 years gotten us? The answer is seen in our anti-social behaviors and civil disobedience that has enveloped our youth and society today. The truth is, my friend, we have to face the fact that to be a Christian you are in a war today against the Secular Humanists who follow a rabid anti-Christian religion that wants to stamp out every vestige of Christian influence in American life, beginning with our children. 

Indeed, we are in a Cultural War, a spiritual war, a philosophical war. And yet, a very practical war too. This battle is a spiritual war because it is a contest between good and evil, God and Satan, between righteousness and sin. This is a philosophical war because it is a contest between biblical theism (Christianity) and modern humanism (Atheism), between God’s Word and human reason. This is also a “practical war” because it is about human conduct in social and cultural practices. It’s about whether a society can abide, if it tolerates and even promotes such things as abortion, divorce, gambling, pornography, homosexuality, sexual promiscuity, and every other indulgence of life in violation of God’s Word.

Now what I’m about to say will be very controversial within the Christian community which has closed its eyes to the peril around them. I firmly believe that on account of what public education has become, and that it has been overtaken by the religious teachers of Secular Humanism who use it as their evangelistic meetings and teaching halls – every Christian parent who sends their children to public schools is sinning against God and His Word. The Bible says:

Col 2:8 (NIV)  See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Can anyone deny that Secular Humanism with its evolutionary teachings, rejecting God’s existence and His Word and substituting man’s wisdom and intellect, here is a fit description?

This is not a suggestion here from God, for it is a COMMAND from God given to all Christians in the New Testament. Yet, how many Christian pastors are silent here for fear of reprisals. Now with this same breath let me say this.

No church, no pastor or leader should ever persecute or deny love and fellowship to Christian families who do not heed this command. The Bible makes it clear that we are personally responsible for our own lives and our children’s, and the consequences that come are directly ours. All I can do is play the Old Testament prophet’s role, and warn people of what will destroy their families for the future. When we turn away from God, we turn to our sinful selves and the consequences are terrible. Listen to the apostle Paul who warned about rejecting God’s Word for learning and living. This is an extensive passage but hear me out as I read it:

Rom 1:18-32 (NLT)  But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves. 19 For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. 20 From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God. 21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused. 

22 Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people, or birds and animals and snakes. 24 So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other's bodies. 25 Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. So they worshiped the things God made but not the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever. Amen. 

26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relationships with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men and, as a result, suffered within themselves the penalty they so richly deserved. 28 When they refused to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their evil minds and let them do things that should never be done. 29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, fighting, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. 

30 They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They are forever inventing new ways of sinning and are disobedient to their parents. 31 They refuse to understand, break their promises, and are heartless and unforgiving. 32 They are fully aware of God's death penalty for those who do these things, yet they go right ahead and do them anyway. And, worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.

Many are only now suddenly awakening to the realization that the Christian foundations of our society, our forefathers established as America , have drastically eroded and disappeared. Christians must realize a real war is in progress. The prize is the mind and heart of your children and grandchildren. Christians must resist all philosophical enemies of the Bible, and reinforce the teachings and truths that come only from God’s Word. I believe its time to take our children out of public education and send them to Christian schools or utilize home schooling. If Christian families in good standing in the church cannot legitimately afford it, I believe it is the duty of the congregation to help them financially to do it.

Well my time is gone, but I felt strongly exercised to speak these things to you today, the opening week of most schools in America . May the Lord Jesus Christ open your heart to understand the issues and importance of what it means to be a Christian and how to preserve this in our nation and our families today.