Why a Renaissance of “Religion” is needed NOW Religion is a Big Idea word like entertainment, leadership, technology, industry, education etc. All of these can develop toward extremes either good or bad. All of these Big Idea concepts have within themselves the ability to develop a “life of their own”. It is paramount that a society understands these Big Idea concepts, that it carefully, consciously, deliberately develops them for the good of all. Any of these Big Ideas, if left unchecked, will develop into destructive institutionalized monsters that will eventually destroy a society[1].
Please note, I am not talking about a specific religion like, Buddhism or Christianity or even Atheism. I am talking about the definition, the concepts and vocabulary, the heart dynamic associated with the neutral Big Idea word “Religion”. Humanity has been religious from day one and will continue to be religious till the very end. Our culture does not recognize that because it is ignorant as to what religion really is.
A person’s (or nation’s) religion is the conscious (or subconscious) understanding as to how cosmic reality really is (a heart - embraced worldview). All of a person’s (or nation’s) values, ethics, biases, and answers to life’s ultimate questions are rooted in that understanding. Every person has such an underlying cosmic story, albeit for many rather tentative. This story surfaces during times of crisis and decision making. A person (nation) whose sense of cosmic reality includes God will pursue that God and all the trappings associated with that. A person (nation) whose sense of cosmic reality excludes god will pursue ever increasing autonomy (becoming a law to oneself) and materiality (this body - life only focus).
Religion may very well be the most foundational of all of the above Big Idea words. Religion, if not understood correctly, will be left to work subliminally and this will eventually destroy that society.
One of the theses of this book is that Secular Atheism, Liberal Humanism has, because of our collective ignorance, become the State Sponsored Religion. This unrecognized religion continues to shape our cultures towards self-destruction. It has wed itself to government, to entertainment, to science, to education, and increasingly to industry. The proliferation of “progressive” values, values rooted in this ‘no-god, just chance’ religion, is destroying our cultural and national destiny. The first step towards a solution is to understand this diabolical problem correctly, as individuals, as churches, as concerned citizens (possibly still the majority).
Atheism itself has reinterpreted cultural and religious history (19th century Enlightenment philosophy) and the seeds of this evolutionary reinterpretation have now developed into a wholesale rejection of, and animosity towards everything associated with “religion”. All of society, as well as the church, has bought into these lies. The resulting ignorance is at the heart of all that is destroying our western cultures.
It is time to understand the problem correctly. Time is short. Cultural implosion may be imminent! (Consider the growing polarization within society. Consider the increasing epidemic of loneliness, depression, and even suicide. Consider the LGBTQ++ agenda that is sweeping unchecked into all of culture.)
(The solution to “Atheism wed to the Left” is not necessarily “Christianity wed to the Right”. Christianity must rediscover its prophetic presence within culture.) Life’s Ultimate Questions: Exploring the Stories that Shape our Everyday https://www.lifesultimatequestions.com/ Books available from the author - connect via web page - Marketed as a * Senior High / College Class resource book * Adult discussion guide (10 lesson Blog available) * Book for anyone searching for Truth
[1] Consider for a moment Entertainment within our cultures. Are we even aware as to how entertainment is being used to manipulate our understandings of the political left or right (news is far more “entertainment with a hidden agenda” than accurate reporting)! Consider too how quickly cultural mores with respect to our understanding of gender have shifted in keeping with the LGBTQ++ agenda? Entertainment has become the brainwashing tool of choice but most of us are unaware.