Hedonism: Pursuit of or devotion to pleasure, especially to the pleasure of senses. The ethical doctrine holding that only what is pleasant or has pleasant consequences is intrinsically good. The doctrine holding that behavior is motivated by the desire for pleasure and the avoidance of pain. In essence: "If it feels good, do it, life is short, get all the gusto you can"

Secularism: Pertaining to this present world, or to things not spiritual or holy; relating to things not immediately or primarily respecting the soul, but the body; worldliness. The secular concerns of life respect making provision for the support of life, the preservation of health, the temporal prosperity of men and of states. Secular power is that which superintends and governs the temporal affairs of men, the civil or political power; and is different from spiritual or ecclesiastical power. In essence: "Be all you can be."

Marism: The political and economic ideas of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels (Encarta Dictionary has as a member of Roman Catholic Order) A system based on the atheistic assumption that all human experience, behavior, and history are the product of purely material forces acting upon the individual and should be planned and controlled by the state to achieve eventually a classless society with total equal goods. In essence: "A chicken in every pot, guaranteed"

Materialism: The doctrine of materialists; who maintain that the soul of man is not a spiritual substance distinct from matter, but that it is the result or effect or the organization of matter in the body. A materialist is one who denies the existence of spiritual substances and maintains that the soul of man is the result of a particular organization of matter in the body. The theory or doctrine that physical well being and worldly possessions constitutes the greatest good and highest value of life. (Matter is the only reality and that the psychological state such as emotion, reason, thought, and desire will eventually be explained as physical functions - devotion to material wealth and possessions at the expense of spiritual or intellectual value are the aim) In essence: "The one who dies with the most toys wins."

Nihilism: An extreme form of skepticism that denies all existence. A doctrine of holding that all values are baseless (total rejection of social mores) and that nothing can be known or communicated. Rejection of all distinctions in moral or religious value and a willingness to repudiate all previous theories of morality or religious belief. The belief that destruction of existing political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement. In essence: "I’m not here, your not here. Our nothingness is all that is important."

Pantheism: The doctrine that the universe is God, or system of theology in which it is maintained that the universe is the supreme God. A pantheist is one that believes the universe to be God; a name given to followers of Spinosa. The earliest Grecian pantheist of whom we read is Orpheus. In essence: "God is in everything; I’m God, you’re God, all is God.

Panentheism: This view claims that God is in everything and that everything is God; but unlike pantheism it holds that God is more than the universe. God is thought of as developing and changing along with the world. Panentheism is encountered in modern process theology which suggest that the whole world and God are both in process, or flux - god is seen not as perfect, but as being in the process of perfection. In essence: "Hang in there God, you can do it."

Pragmatism: A movement consisting of varying but associated theories, originally developed by Charles S. Pierce and William James and distinguished by the doctrine that the meaning of an idea or a proposition lies in its observable practical consequences. A practical matter-of-fact way of approaching or assessing situations or of solving problems. In essence:"If it works, do it; the end justifies the means."

Polytheism: The doctrine of a plurality of gods or invisible beings superior to man, and having an agency in the government of the world. In essence: "I have a god, do you?"

IX. Implications for the Future

Throughout history, the philosophy for how mankind should live was usually developed and promoted by a few key individuals. Their ‘worldview’ shaped the principles for government, economics, education, religion, and all other main spheres of life. When the views of these leaders came from the Word of God, the people were blessed and societies progressed, particularly in the 1st - 4th centuries and in the 16th - 18th centuries. When the views came from philosophies and leaders trusting in their own wisdom, the people suffered severe hardships, even the annihilation of complete civilizations. Hardships were particularly evident in the 12th -15th centuries and again in modern day times. The 20th century is considered by many to be bloodiest century of mankind.

The future of this nation is hanging in the balance. The Christian worldview that shaped the birth of our nation and guided her for many decades is now being replaced with other anti-Christian worldviews. Unless a new generation rises up and reclaims the Christian heritage of this land, the next several generations (your children and grandchildren) are likely to suffer severe consequences of ‘sins of their fathers’ on a national level. I implore you to take very seriously the content of this course and to seek God in how He may use you to re-focus our people on the Biblical view of life.