PreachingHelp.org The term “secularization” may be unfamiliar with some people, so allow me to define it. Secularization means to “separate something from religious or spiritual connection and make it worldly or unspiritual.” In other words, secularization is the process of removing religious and moral influence from our society.
As you know, and many of you may remember first hand, there was a time when each school day began with a prayer. Of course, if such happened today, the ACLU would slap a multi-million dollar law suit against the school. This is an example of secularization.
Another example of the secularization of our society can be seen in the realm of sports. There was a time when our society would never think to schedule ball games on a Wednesday night, or especially on Sunday. That was due to the deference our society showed toward those who held Christian values and practices. However, those days are gone. Very little thought is given to the religious practices of some people when it comes to preparing a league schedule. This too is another example of secularization.
The latest episode of what I would term the blatant secularization of our society occurred last week in my son’s sixth grade classroom. Do you remember those “aptitude tests” that were given to students. These tests were given to help a child identify several possible professions that are suitable to a child’s likes and dislikes. Depending on the way a child answered certain questions, they might learn that they seemed suitable to pursue such professions as being a doctor, nurse, school teacher, plumber, mechanic, or a host of other professions. I remember that my aptitude test said that I should be a Park Ranger when I grew up (I can see me now with a bullet in my pocket).
Well imagine my surprise when my son returned home from school and told me about some of the suggested professions that were offered to several of his friends. One little girl was told she would make a good “bartender.” Another child was suited to work in a “winery.” And yet another student was suitable to work as a “beer manufacturer.”
I was speechless. I don’t know that I have witnessed a more blatant attempt to legitimize the alcohol industry. I can’t imagine what kind of questions could have been asked that would suggest a little sixth grade girl should become a “bartender.” Or why would one be suitable to work as a “beer manufacturer” as opposed to a “soft drink manufacturer,” or simply be suitable for the “manufacturing industry?” (I couldn’t help wonder if in Nevada, where prostitution is legal, if this profession was offered as a suitable profession for some students).
It is obvious that the secularization of America is alive and well in our state school systems. More and more we are witnessing attempts to remove Christian faith, morals, and values from the public arena. This is yet another example of our move away from morality toward amorality. It is a move toward acceptance, tolerance, and non-judgmentalism.
It certainly would be preferable to live in a Christian society, but it is not necessary. What is necessary is that if we want to raise faithful children, we had better get to work, and make their spiritual training a priority. If not, we’ll lose them to all the other worldly influences that come to bear in their life.
I can’t find in the bible where serving the Lord would never conflict with worldly events such as a ball game, we just have to decide which is more important, to us.
Steve,
I have said time and time again. Either we as Christians are influencing the world for good. OR we are being influenced by evil. It can’t be both. Sadly we see in today’s generation and society that I think the latter is taking place. With entertainment, TV, movies, music and the internet Christians have a vast majority of worldliness at their disposal. I’m sure it is extremely common that church-going parents bring their children to these disgusting rated R movies. Or buy them cd’s with filthy language. I rarely listen to the radio anymore unless it’s sport’s radio because the music is trash. Satan is definitely doing his work in the world. It’s time we do ours. Much Love!!!!
And Matt I HAVE seen churches scheduling services based on sporting events. What a shame!
I do agree that there are strong forces of secularization at work in America, and I think it is sad. I do think, though, that this is not a very good example of secularization. I believe in the Bible, and respect the word of God. I don’t believe that wine is bad. I don’t believe that working in a winery is a sinful job. Jesus himself turned water into wine. I think that the Bible teaches us that people who spend all their time worrying about alcohol are the modern day Pharisees.
If you REALLY want to focus in the right direction, focus on combating the teachings in the Universities, where the majority of professors hate America, and try to teach students there is no God, that abortion is favorable to adoption or abstinence, that gay marriage is a favorable concept, etc, etc.
Thank you for your comments Jamie. I appreciate your identification of atheism, abortion, and homosexual marriage as being examples of secularization. I agree with you. However, I disagree with your suggestion that a standardized aptitude test given in our public schools, steering elementary children toward the liquor industry is not an example of secularization. If in your judgment, you don’t think it’s the best example, fine. But it is an example of it, and it is what I chose to write about. If you want to read what I said about abortion, homosexuality, and atheism, I can refer you to those posts too. (BTW, this is not the forum for it, but I also disagree with your characterization of alcohol).