Many of the leading educators in the United States have accepted the humanist approach to education. These are the same people who have developed our curricula, spent federal money on educational programs, and advised our government on educational trends. William H. Kilpatrick, one of John Dewey’s followers, stated that the old education format was based on “a psychology that stressed acquisition, even drill, and minimized critical thinking.” (2) The new education is based on “the newer psychology which starts with life as the pursuit of ends or purpose.” (2) Sidney Simon, a professor at the Center for Humanistic Education in Amherst, Massachusetts, helped develop the values clarification theory used in many public schools. When he was a high school teacher, he incorporated his value’s ideology in his social studies classroom instead of the assigned curriculum. His humanist teaching model was, “Keep it subtle, keep it quiet, or the parents will really get upset.” (2) Of course, the parents would be naturally upset if they knew educators were teaching value systems that were contrary to their own personal beliefs. Rhonda Lorand, a member of the American Board of Professional Psychology, spoke before the United States House of Representatives Sub-Committee on Education. In her testimony, she addressed how many educators have changed their attitudes toward teaching Judeo-Christian values. “The contempt for parents is so shockingly apparent in many of the courses funded under Title III, in which the teacher is required to become an instant psychiatrist who probes the psyche of her pupils, while encouraging them to criticize their parents’ beliefs, values and teachings.” (1) An article published in Instructor Magazine in April 1980 stated, “Teachers in particular are in a position to play an exciting role in the psychic development of children.” Also, in this article, examples of psychic ability were identified: telepathy (occult communication between persons at a distance) and clairvoyance (ability to discern objects concealed from sight). (1)
However, many of the disciples of humanism are not educators. They are involved in various types of professional occupations. Many of them actually signed the Humanist Manifesto II. They are B.F. Skinner (behaviorist psychologist), Betty Friedan (founder of the National Organization of Women), Alan F. Guttmacher (president of Planned Parenthood), and Lester Mondale (former president of the Fellowship of Religious Humanists). (2) It was B.F. Skinner who developed the theory of “Behavior Modification” that has been used tremendously in our society and in our schools. “He believed it would be possible to change man’s behavior by using much of the same techniques one would use in training a dog, or laboratory rat The most alarming aspect of this was his belief in his own wisdom, and capability to decide for others, how their behavior should be changed.” (3) If Skinner’s theory has become a significant part of the New Age humanist attack on America’s educational infrastructure, then the seriousness of the New Age humanist agenda must be viewed as a defining catalyst in the effort to control the minds of young, unassuming school age children. (3)
The philosophy of American education has changed since we were in grammar school. Many public schools do not concentrate on the basic skills of reading, writing, or math. Many teachers focus on the reshaping of the values and morals of our Judeo-Christian heritage. They are turning their classrooms into therapy clinics for the transformation of our children’s value system. Christianity is on its way out; New Age occultism is on its way in. According to Charles Francis Potter, “Education is thus a most powerful ally of Humanism, and every American public school is a school of Humanism. What can the theistic Sunday Schools, meeting for an hour once a week, and teaching only a fraction of the children, do to stem the tide of a five-day program of humanistic teaching.” (4) Lloyd Morain, former president of the American Humanist Association, stated, “Down through the ages men have been seeking a universal religion or way of life….Humanism…shows promise of becoming a great world faith. Humanists are content with fixing their attention on this life and on this earth. Theirs is a faith without a god, divine revelation, or sacred scriptures. Yet theirs is a faith rich in feeling and understanding.” (4)
Senator S. I. Hayakawa from California, who was an educator himself, saw a change occurring in American education in 1968. He stated: “In recent years in colleges of education and schools of sociology and psychology, an educational heresy has flourished…The heresy of which I speak regards the fundamental task of education as therapy.” (1) Also, the National Education Association report of 1968 stated that schools in the 1970’s would have a different appearance. “Schools will become clinics whose purpose is to provide individualized psycho-social treatment for the student, and teachers must become psycho-social therapist.” (1) Of course, the schools of the 21st century are different than the schools of the 20th century. If parents could be flies on the wall in their child’s classroom, they would need a therapist themselves.
According to Sheila Schwartz, a member of the American Humanist Association, humanism is influencing public education in America. She states, “Something wonderful, free, unheralded, and of significance to all humanists is happening in the secondary schools. It is the adolescent-literature movement. They may burn Slaughterhouse Five in North Dakota and ban a number of innocuous books in Kanawha County, but thank God [sic] the Crazies don’t do all that much reading. If they did, they’d find they have already been defeated…Nothing that is part of contemporary life is taboo in this genre and any valid piece of writing that helps make the world more knowable to young people serves an important humanistic function.” (1) It is important to know how our enemy views us. Obviously, since they see us as a bunch of uncaring and crazy people, it is time for us to do our research on our extremely dangerous foe. Then the enlightened people that we are can prepare for the battle of wits with people who view us incorrectly. We do care and we will respond! (1)
The National Education Association has been the main culprit in the spread of humanism throughout America’s educational systems. In review, “The road to a humanist curriculum began in 1918 with the NEA’s Seven Cardinal Principles which stressed humanist ethical values to replace those of traditional religion.” (2) The NEA opposed the teaching of creation science in public schools. It believed that parents should not be permitted to interfere with student and teacher communications. The NEA advocated global education which is a humanist view. The NEA has sponsored sensitivity training. It has attacked capitalism, fundamental Christianity, and conservatism. In 1969, the National Education Association stated, “The growing opposition to certain curricula and to educational policies is recognized by the Association as a thinly veiled political attack on public education itself. The Association urges its affiliates to take concerted action and, if necessary, legal action, to defend against such irresponsible attacks.” (2) Ultimately, the NEA has transformed itself into a militant political organization that is determined to spread its liberal, humanist agenda. (2)
How must Christians respond to the New Age influence in America’s public schools? First, parents must get to know their child’s teacher and his/her philosophy of education. Second, parents should check the books used by their child. They should decide if the approach used is humanistic or Judeo-Christian. Third, parents should insure that local board of education members have the Judeo-Christian view, too. Finally, parents should never accept that someone else is responsible for their child’s education. Ultimately, parents have the responsibility themselves. (1) However, with most parents working at least one job, they do not take the time to keep check on what their children are being taught in public schools. But, it is time!
In conclusion, it is extremely important to our children, our faith, and our nation to begin an immediate counterattack against New Age godliness in America. If we do not find and root out all remnants of the satanic forces that have taken control of our public schools soon, our nation has no hope of regaining the educational glory we once had. The Bible clearly reminds us that mankind cannot worship God and mammon at the same time. At present, it is obvious that man is winning and our nation and public schools are losing. Therefore, the success of the New Age Movement in our nation and in our public schools must be thwarted NOW. The seductive approach used by secular humanist must be defeated by a bold, frontal attack used by God’s Christian soldiers. GOD BLESS, AMERICA!
References
Wise, Russ. “Education and New Age Humanism” Probe Ministries. 5 May 2005<http://www.probe.org>
Blumenfeld, Samuel. “The Humanist Curriculum” Foundation for Truth in Reality. 6 May 2005< http://www.sntp.net>.
Merrill, Zenith Harris. “Humanism” The Lighthouse. 7 May 2005<http://
www.bloomington.in.us>.
- Rast, Ben. “Humanism-the Established State Religion” Contender Ministries. 9May 2005<http://www.contenderministries.org>.