Worldviews in Conflict
Worldviews in Conflict: Summary and Critique
Worldviews in Conflict: Summary and Critique
I agree with the introductory quote by Will Durant: “From Barbarism to civilization requires a century; from civilization to barbarism needs but a day.” It is always much easier to destroy something (in this case, civilization), than it is to create it. In general, there is very little effort required to demolish something; but building it up takes a conscious effort, passion and burden. It involves a great deal of work! It is, therefore, very easy to understand how civilization can be destroyed in a day. Simply sit back and do absolutely nothing, save watch the walls topple, so to speak.
It is true that the world is divided more so by “religious and cultural traditions” than by physical boundaries. “Religious belief is one of the most divisive issues. If we are to unite under a 'government of the people and by the people ' it must be a government separate from the issues that strongly divide us to which there is no concrete or moral truth.” (Crook, n.d.).
I think the problem with the increasingly complex worldviews in conflict is, as Aristotle said, “All men naturally desire knowledge.” (Seldes, 1960). This hunger for knowledge leads men astray when they look to the wrong, worldly sources for information, instead of looking to the Word of God for Truth!
I also agree with the statement that “Christians regard the Western tradition and heritage as worth defending; that is, to the degree that historically it has been shaped by a Biblical worldview” (Colson, 1999, p.2). We are fortunate to live in a country, such as the United States of America, that was founded upon Christian principles. We should be careful never to take our heritage for granted, for it has shaped us into who we are today, as individuals. Without our rich history, we certainly wouldn’t be who we are, or where we are today. “In America, apparently, calling a person an atheist is as bad as
Worldviews in Conflict: Summary and Critique
I agree with the introductory quote by Will Durant: “From Barbarism to civilization requires a century; from civilization to barbarism needs but a day.” It is always much easier to destroy something (in this case, civilization), than it is to create it. In general, there is very little effort required to demolish something; but building it up takes a conscious effort, passion and burden. It involves a great deal of work! It is, therefore, very easy to understand how civilization can be destroyed in a day. Simply sit back and do absolutely nothing, save watch the walls topple, so to speak.
It is true that the world is divided more so by “religious and cultural traditions” than by physical boundaries. “Religious belief is one of the most divisive issues. If we are to unite under a 'government of the people and by the people ' it must be a government separate from the issues that strongly divide us to which there is no concrete or moral truth.” (Crook, n.d.).
I think the problem with the increasingly complex worldviews in conflict is, as Aristotle said, “All men naturally desire knowledge.” (Seldes, 1960). This hunger for knowledge leads men astray when they look to the wrong, worldly sources for information, instead of looking to the Word of God for Truth!
I also agree with the statement that “Christians regard the Western tradition and heritage as worth defending; that is, to the degree that historically it has been shaped by a Biblical worldview” (Colson, 1999, p.2). We are fortunate to live in a country, such as the United States of America, that was founded upon Christian principles. We should be careful never to take our heritage for granted, for it has shaped us into who we are today, as individuals. Without our rich history, we certainly wouldn’t be who we are, or where we are today. “In America, apparently, calling a person an atheist is as bad as
References: Boston, R. (1993). Why so many church-state problems? Why the religious right is wrong about separation of church and state (2 ed., pp. 25-26). Buffalo, NY: Prometheus Books. Colson, C., & Pearcey, N. (1999). Worldviews in conflict. How now shall we live? (pp. 19-26). Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.. Parsley, R. (2007). Why worldviews matter. Culturally incorrect: How clashing worldviews affect your future (pp. 34-35). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson. Prometheus. (n.d.). The American heritage® new dictionary of cultural literacy, third edition. Retrieved July 26, 2010, http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Prometheus. Seldes, G. (1960). The great quotations (Second printing ed.). New York, NY: Lyle Stuart, Inc. 1960. Stenger, V. J. (2009). The new atheism: Taking a stand for science and reason. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books. Crook, B. M. (n.d.). Welcome to ‘one nation’. One nation. Retrieved July 26, 2010, from http://bmccreations.com/one_nation/index.html.