Christian Cultural Heritage
Secularism and Christianity
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A Term Paper
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As a Requirement in
Course BI 3411
Christian Cultural Heritage
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by
4/8/13 Do we as Christians really believe that secularism is prevalent in our society? Do we understand its impact and the negative effect is has wrought on U. S. culture? Before we can answer these questions or provide solutions to overcoming challenges in regard to this topic, we must understand what secularism is. Most of us might feel like Robert Coles as he tells his story of how he heard the phrase “a secular mind” over and over, yet he “wasn’t quite sure what [someone] had in their mind with respect to that kind of mind; nor did they seem interested in defining the phrase” (3). Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Baha’i Faith, Confucianism, Jainism, Shinto, Mormonism, Scientology, and Gnosticism are just a handful of the religions that are in our world today. All of these contain their own belief systems and religious practices. Secularism claims to be a neutral site for all of the numerous religions in the world. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines secularism as “indifference to or rejection or exclusion of religion and religious considerations.” In other words, a secular society runs on a nonreligious basis, “therefore in a purely secular state there would be no preferential treatment given to any religious viewpoint, indeed in both local and national affairs there would be no place given to religious convictions” (Phillips 1). There are specific elements to secularism that must be acknowledged in order to address the deeper influence that secularism has had on our society and culture. As a result of the influence, we in the twenty-first century face many challenges of secular beliefs. Christians must meet these challenges in loving and caring
----------------------------------------
A Term Paper
----------------------------------------
As a Requirement in
Course BI 3411
Christian Cultural Heritage
----------------------------------------
by
4/8/13 Do we as Christians really believe that secularism is prevalent in our society? Do we understand its impact and the negative effect is has wrought on U. S. culture? Before we can answer these questions or provide solutions to overcoming challenges in regard to this topic, we must understand what secularism is. Most of us might feel like Robert Coles as he tells his story of how he heard the phrase “a secular mind” over and over, yet he “wasn’t quite sure what [someone] had in their mind with respect to that kind of mind; nor did they seem interested in defining the phrase” (3). Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Baha’i Faith, Confucianism, Jainism, Shinto, Mormonism, Scientology, and Gnosticism are just a handful of the religions that are in our world today. All of these contain their own belief systems and religious practices. Secularism claims to be a neutral site for all of the numerous religions in the world. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines secularism as “indifference to or rejection or exclusion of religion and religious considerations.” In other words, a secular society runs on a nonreligious basis, “therefore in a purely secular state there would be no preferential treatment given to any religious viewpoint, indeed in both local and national affairs there would be no place given to religious convictions” (Phillips 1). There are specific elements to secularism that must be acknowledged in order to address the deeper influence that secularism has had on our society and culture. As a result of the influence, we in the twenty-first century face many challenges of secular beliefs. Christians must meet these challenges in loving and caring
Cited: Almy, Gary L. How Christian is Christian Counseling? The Dangerous Secular Influences That Keep Us From Caring For Souls. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2000. Print. Charles, Rodger S.J. The Church and the World. Theology Today. Notre Dame: Fides, 1973. Christopher P. Toumey “Evolution and Secular Humanism.” Journal of the American Academy of Religion 61.2 (1993): 275-301. Print. Coles, Robert. Secular Mind. Ewing: Princeton University Press, 1999. Print. Corliss, Lamont. The Philosophy of Humanism. New York: Frederick Ungar, 1982. Print. Henry, Gary. “Things Which Are Contributing To Secularism In America” Truth Magazine. 3 Feb. 1994: 13-14. Print. Kurtz, Paul. Humanist Manifesto II Buffalo, NY: Prometheus, 1980. Linder, Robert D. “Christianity, politics, and secular government in the United States.” Southwestern Journal of Theology 26.2 (1984): 42-67. Print. McClay, Wilfred. “Religion and Secularism: The American Experience.” Pew Research Center. 3 Dec. 2007. Web. April 4 2013. Packer, J.I. and Thomas Howard. Christianity: The True Humanism. Waco: Word, 1985. Print. Phillips, David. “The Pressure of Secularism.” CrossWay 109 (2006): 1-3. Print. Simpson, George G. The Meaning of Evolution . New Haven: Yale University Press, 1971. Web.