The Author of the Theory of Relativity (and no, I don't mean Einstein)

At the turn of the last century, a philosophy came into vogue in American colleges, which simply stated that there were no absolutes-everything was relative. This idea of Relativism, also titled ‘Situation Ethics’ has developed a strong foothold in American thought over the past century. It is not uncommon to hear people referring to following their own ‘moral compass’ or to see people behaving in ways that go against God’s rules and not seeing their actions as wrong.

As with any false philosophy, Relativism gained ground by eroding the truth in small steps.  An early example would be the theory of Evolution, which tore down an absolute-only God can give life- and replaced it with a variable-somehow (and no one to this day knows exactly how) life evolved from nonliving matter. This step eventually led to the toppling of another absolute- life is sacred and murder is wrong,-and replaced it with the idea that sometimes it was okay to terminate an innocent life. The boundaries for when and how this can be done are still under debate; after all, with no absolutes there is no solid answer to be found.

The extent to which this idea has permeated through society, and the identity of its author dawned upon me after reading a news story. While the story in itself was interesting, the implication given was sickening. The story highlighted the fact that some people are born “intersex” meaning having both male and female organs. Naturally, a course of logic follows that if some people are both male and female, then gender identity is not set in stone, but variable.

Like every good lie, this story has a kernel of truth. There are some people that are “intersex” by birth. However, this is not a ‘normal’ variation of the genetic code, but rather a mutation of the DNA caused by the curse. It isn’t a gray area between male and female-it’s a tragedy that is typically discovered and surgically remedied shortly after birth.

It surprised me when I realized that there was now a ‘gray area’ in almost every area of life. We have ‘little white lies’ that aren’t really wrong to tell, teenagers ‘experiment’ with drugs and sex, but it’s just ‘normal adolescent behavior’, not really sin. Just about everyone can find an accepted way to justify their actions. After all, if everyone is led by their own moral compass, who has the right to judge when someone’s moral compass doesn’t point the same way as theirs? What makes society’s rules right?

If our world were to completely subscribe to this theory (and for the most part we have), no one’s actions are definitely right or wrong, a person has no racial identity, and they may not be definitely male or female! It’s all a little confusing, isn’t it? If everything has a gray area, and there are no absolutes, we have nothing on which to judge our actions, or the actions of others. We don’t even know for certain who or what we are!

Thankfully, whether we will admit it and obey it or not, there is a standard. It’s called the Bible, and it will tell us exactly who and what we are, and what we are to do. It will also tell us who the author of confusion is-and the reasoning behind it.

The Bible says that “God is not the author of confusion.” (I Corinthians 14:33). If God doesn’t create confusion, who does? The devil, or Satan. He is always the opposite of God. He is a liar and the father of it (John 8:44). Lies cause confusion. They are at the root of every ‘gray area’ of relativism. The simple truth is that Satan hates God, and everything He made-including us. He wants to kill mankind, and take us to Hell so he can torment us forever. That same verse in John states that he was a murderer from the beginning.

As I realized the idea that was being emphasized in the news story I mentioned, I also realized why this idea of relativism was being presented so often and so strongly: it is part of Satan’s plan to steal God’s glory and destroy mankind. When mankind does not have a standard for right and wrong, they have no realization of sin, and they do not see their need for the Savior. That means they will not accept Christ, and will go to Hell, just like the devil wants. In addition, mankind was created to glorify, serve, and fellowship with God. When people deny God as Creator, and serve themselves, Satan gets God’s glory, just like he’s wanted since he was cast out of Heaven.

I have two main reasons for writing this article. Number one, if someone reading this happens to subscribe to the idea of relativism, I hope this article has pointed out the faults and consequences of this theory. It’s a lie of the Devil intended to destroy mankind both physically and spiritually. DON’T BELIEVE IT!

As far as I know, most of the people that read my blogs are friends of mine who have the same values as I do. I hope this article points out the fact that the false ideas and theories that float around in this world didn’t make themselves. I think too often we as Christians convince our neighbors we are nuts because we are always talking about ‘they’ and ‘them’, typically referring to the government, or people in general that hate our beliefs and want to destroy the gospel. While I have no doubts that the government, Hollywood, and many other groups hate us and hate God, I hope this article reminds you that ‘they’ are not our real enemy. ‘They’ hate us because they hate God and are blinded by Satan, who hates them as much as he hates us. While it is important to realize that there are ideas out there that are after our hearts and minds and the hearts and minds of our children and loved ones, I think that sometimes we need to back up so we can see the forest (Satan’s plan) and not just the trees (the people he uses to carry out that plan). Also, let’s remember: God knows all about Satan’s plans, and He’s won the war. We do not need to get so distracted fighting people that we let Satan win the battle for our families and neighbors. Let’s not get so wrapped up in what the devil is doing that we forget to praise God for what he has done.

What about Socialization?

What about Socialization?

As a homeschooling parent my mom heard this question a lot. While homeschooling is becoming more accepted, she still hears the age old drone whenever she tells people that she homeschooled me and my sister, and is still homeschooling my brother. Most people who gasp and utter this question are well meaning souls who probably assume that being homeschooled means we never left home…despite the fact that the conversation is probably taking place somewhere 500 miles from the house. What they’re referring to is the friendships, sporting experiences, and parties they attended in school. They’re worried that me and my siblings never get to do anything fun like that, and despite having met kids our age from all over the eastern U.S. at least, we won’t be able to have any friends. Right. The problem is it’s not normal. It doesn’t fit into the mold.

           I read a news story the other day about a 6-year-old boy who is facing battery charges after kicking his principle. When the boy threw a tantrum and kicked the principle, instead of calling the child’s parents, he called the cops. Ridiculous as it may sound, the child is facing battery charges. A spokesperson for the school said that they wanted to get the child in the system, in order to make therapy options available that he would not ordinarily have at home. My mom brought to my attention the thought, “And they call it Socialization.”
            What exactly is socialization, anyways? To most people, it’s spending time with your peers. However, I began thinking about the etymology, and decided to look it up.

Socialization is a noun, defined as: “1.a continuing process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity and learns the norms, values, behavior, and social skills appropriate to his or her social position. 2. The act or process of making socialistic: the socialization of industry.” http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/socialization

Wow! That definition actually fits more closely to the episode with the little boy being entered into “the system” than it does with just casually interacting with your friends, and learning how to interact with people.

Let’s talk for a minute on the definition of socialization, and how it relates to kids. When most people ask my mom, “What about socialization?” they probably aren’t trying to say, “How will they ever learn to take their ‘position in society’ and uphold the values taught in the school system?” However, when you substitute the definition of the word socialization into that sentence that is exactly what they are asking.
          How about the first part of definition number 1, “A continuing process whereby an individual develops a personal identity”? Do you send your kid to school so they can learn who to be? If school is for socialization, then yes indeed, your child learns who to be at school.
              Do you want your child to “learn the norms, values, behavior, and social skills appropriate for his or her social position” in school? Isn’t it sort of the parent’s job to teach their kids how to behave in public? Do norms and values change relative to social position? I suppose they do if you are “socialized”.

Definition number 2 sums up my point: “The act or process of making socialistic”

             Obviously, people don’t intend to ask my mom, “But what about making your kids socialists?” Nor do they intend to ask her, “But what about brainwashing?” but the truth remains, that’s what socialization is.

               I think that maybe before we roll our eyes and say, “Look, my kid has plenty of friends and opportunities and yadda yadda yadda…”, we should recall the definition of socialization and realize what they are unknowingly asking. Then we might smile and say, “Who needs it?”