In 1933 some of the leading educators and thinkers of the day penned and signed the Humanist Manifesto. Among the signers was John Dewey, arguably the most influential voice in modern American education. Two full generations have come and gone, but the core beliefs of this document continue to shape American values, culture, and educational philosophy.
The Manifesto found in Sartre’s version of existentialism a rich soil in which to grow and propagate its anti-Christian agenda. The Manifesto sought to strip biblical influence from western culture. it has largely succeeded in its mission. People seem to think that their ideas and values are law unto themselves. The question is will the church embrace truly biblical thought so it can once again be the source of salt and light to the dark world we inhabit.
Here are 4 of the 14 affirmations of this document:
SIXTH: We are convinced that the time has passed for theism, deism, modernism, and the several varieties of “new thought”.
EIGHTH: Religious Humanism considers the complete realization of human personality to be the end of man’s life and seeks its development and fulfillment in the here and now. This is the explanation of the humanist’s social passion.
NINTH: In the place of the old attitudes involved in worship and prayer the humanist finds his religious emotions expressed in a heightened sense of personal life and in a cooperative effort to promote social well-being.
TENTH: It follows that there will be no uniquely religious emotions and attitudes of the kind hitherto associated with belief in the supernatural.
In response God calls parents, church leaders and educators to embrace the commands of God and draw them deeply into their hearts. Then he directs that this love of God be transmitted from heart-to-heart into the lives of our children. Nothing less than this transfer of love of God will stem the flowing tide of humanist hatred of the the living God. The gospel is the response to the Humanist Manifesto.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.