1. Humanism’s challenge to young people

2. Humanism defined Humanism’s challenge to young people

3. Humanism defined Humanism’s challenge to young people

4. Humanist ethics “We affirm that moral values derive their source from human experience. Ethics is autonomous and situational, needing no theological or ideological sanction. Ethics stems from human need and interest. To deny this distorts the whole basis of life. Human life has meaning because we create and develop our futures.” Humanism’s challenge to young people

5. Humanist ethics “Happiness and the creative realism of human needs and desires, individually and in shared enjoyment, are continuous themes of humanism. We strive for the good life, here and now. The goal is to pursue life’s enrichment despite debasing forces of vulgarization, commercialization, bureaucratization, and dehuman- ization.” Humanism’s challenge to young people

6. Humanism and the individual The preciousness and dignity of the individual person is a central humanist value. Individuals should be encouraged to realize their own creative talents and desires. We reject all religious, ideological, or moral codes that denigrate the individual, suppress freedom, dull intellect, dehumanize personality. Humanism’s challenge to young people

7. Humanism and the individual We believe in maximum individual autonomy consonant with social responsibility. Although science can account for the causes of behavior, the possibilities of individual freedom of choice exist in human life and should be increased. Humanism’s challenge to young people

8. A vital subject for us Humanism’s challenge to young people

9. “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs….. Behold, I come as a thief ….. And he gathered them together”

11. Humanism’s challenge to young people

12. Humanism's Foundations The 3 ‘unclean spirits’ are manifested in the doctrine of Humanism 1.Man is not natively depraved; 2.The end of life is life itself, the good life on earth instead of the beatific life after death; 3.Man is capable, guided solely by the light of reason and experience, of perfecting the good life on earth; Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn

13. Humanism's Foundations 4. The first and essential condition of the good life on earth is the freeing of men's minds from the ignorance and superstition, and their bodies from the arbitrary oppression of the constituted social authorities. "The Heavenly City of the 18th Century Philosophers" pg.102 Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn Society based on Biblical principles Religion

14. What Humanism is doing to society and our community  Humanism’s progress is overwhelming – there is a strong tendency to acquiesce.  The frog in the hot water syndrome. Put the frog in cold water and heat it up, and it cooks! Humanism’s challenge to young people

15. The subtlety of Fabian Socialism  Named after Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus. He being called 'Cunctator' (Latin for "delayer").  The Fabian Society was founded in 1884 - adopting the tactics of Fabius who was famous for elusive gradual tactics in securing victory over superior forces. He avoided head on confrontation but worked on the principle of gradualness. Humanism’s challenge to young people

16. The scourge of Fabian Socialism Humanism’s challenge to young people

17. Wives in the 1950’s “Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before to have a delicious meal on time. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs.” “Prepare yourself: Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make up; put a ribbon in your hair, and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work weary people.” “Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables.” “ Prepare your children: Take a few minutes to wash the children’s hands and faces (if they are small); comb their hair and if necessary change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.” “Make him comfortable: Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer take off his shoes...” Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn “ Listen to him: You may have a dozen things to tell him...Let him talk first.” The Goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.”

18. So, what do you think? Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn  Is this advice totally consistent with Scriptural teaching?  What is wrong with it, if anything?  Can you see anything right with it?

19. Women's liberation - Its impact on society  1975 - International Women's Year - a watershed. Since then women have sought and largely gained:  Government sponsored "affirmative action" programs.  the right to have their own career unhindered by family commitments.  equality with men in the workplace - EEO, equal pay and promotional opportunities. Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn

20. Women's liberation - Its impact on society  Government and employer subsidised childcare facilities.  equality in the Church - even to the priesthood and ministry.  Some of the consequences:  disappearance of traditional family life.  rapidly increasing rate of divorce and remarriage. Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn

21. Women's liberation - Its impact on society  growing number of defacto “marriages”.  emergence of "step-families" through remarriage.  dramatic growth of dining out for evening meals.  men forced to accept domestic duties. Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn

22. Destruction of the Family SELECTION FROM THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S CONFERENCE - MEXICO 1975 “No woman should be authorised to stay at home to raise her children. Women should not have that choice, precisely because if there is such a choice, too many women will make that one. It is a way of forcing women in a certain direction. We see it as part of a global reform of society which would not accept that old segregation between men and women in the home and the outside world.”

23. Destruction of the Family (Cont.) We think that every individual, woman as well as man, should work outside and have the possibility, either by communal living, collectives, or another way of organising the family, of solving the problem of child care. In my opinion, as long as the family, and the myth of maternity, and the maternal instinct are not destroyed, women will still be oppressed.”

24. Divorce – Scourge of the Latter Days

25. Equality of women with men We hear much in some parts of the world of the political rights and equality of women with men; and of their preaching and teaching in public assemblies. We need wonder at nothing which emanates from the unenlightened thinking of sinful flesh. There is no absurdity too monstrous to be sanctified by unspiritualized animal intellect. Men do not think according to God's thinking, and therefore it is they run into the most unscriptural conceits; among which may be enumerated the political and social equality of women. Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn

26. “because of the angel” Trained to usefulness, of cultivated intellect, and with moral sentiments purified and ennobled by the nurture and admonition of the Lord's truth, women are "helps meet" for the Elohim; and much too good for men of ordinary stamp. The sex is susceptible of this exaltation; though I despair of witnessing it in many instances till "the Age to come." But, even women of this excellency of mind and disposition, were it possible for such to do so, would be guilty of indiscretion, presumption, and……. Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn

27. “species of actresses” rebellion against God's law, in assuming equality of rank, equality of rights, and authority over man, which is implied in teaching and preaching. It is the old ambition of the sex to be equal to the gods; but in taking steps to attain it, they involved themselves in subjection to men. Preaching, and lecturing, women, are but species of actresses, who exhibit upon the boards for the amusement of sinful and foolish men. …… Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn

28. True adornment They aim at an equality for which they are not physically constituted; they degrade themselves by the exhibition, and in proportion as they rise in assurance, they sink in all that really adorns a woman. Bro. John Thomas - Elpis Israel Look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn “Look unto the rock from whence ye are hewn”

29. Living as children of light “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.” Ephesians 4:17-19 (NIV) Humanism’s challenge to young people

30. Some things we can all do!  Read the Word of God every day  Involve ourselves and our families fully in the ecclesia  Talk with our children  - show real interest in their lives  - be a careful listener  - be a gentle and persistent instructor  Don't dodge issues! Face up to them, as hard and foreign they might be  Pray continually Humanism’s challenge to young people

31. Practical action steps  Be aware of what is happening at school, and university – the education system is geared to promoting Humanism.  Prepare for Secondary and Tertiary education – to be forearmed is crucial!  take care with subject choices;  plan, prioritize and balance the use of time;  build a network of good friends in the Truth – old and young (peers). Humanism’s challenge to young people

32. “Are you willing?” Humanism’s challenge to young people

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