The term “secularization” may be unfamiliar with some people, so allow me to define it. Secularization means to “separate something from religious or spiritual connection and make it worldly or unspiritual.” In other words, secularization is the process of removing religious and moral influence from our society.
As you know, and many of you may remember first hand, there was a time when each school day began with a prayer. Of course, if such happened today, the ACLU would slap a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the school. This is an example of secularization.
Another example of the secularization of our society can be seen in the realm of sports. There was a time when our society would never think to schedule ball games on a Wednesday night, or especially on Sunday. That was due to the deference our society showed toward those who held Christian values and practices. However, those days are gone. Very little thought is given to the religious practices of some people when it comes to preparing a league schedule. This, too, is another example of secularization.
The latest episode of what I would term the blatant secularization of our society occurred last week in my son’s sixth grade classroom. Do you remember those “aptitude tests” that were given to students? These tests were given to help a child identify several possible professions that are suitable to a child’s likes and dislikes. Depending on the way a child answered certain questions, they might learn that they seemed suitable to pursue such professions as being a doctor, nurse, schoolteacher, plumber, mechanic or a host of other professions. I remember that my aptitude test said that I should be a Park Ranger when I grew up (I can see me now with a bullet in my pocket).
Well, imagine my surprise when my son returned home from school and told me about some of the suggested professions that were offered to several of his friends. One little girl was told she would make a good “bartender.” Another child was suited to work in a “winery.” Yet, another student was suitable to work as a “beer manufacturer.”
I was speechless. I do not know that I have witnessed a more blatant attempt to legitimize the alcohol industry. I cannot imagine what kind of questions could have been asked that would suggest a little sixth grade girl should become a “bartender.” Or, why would one be suitable to work as a “beer manufacturer” as opposed to a “soft drink manufacturer,” or simply be suitable for the “manufacturing industry?” (I could not help wonder if in Nevada, where prostitution is legal, if this profession was offered as a suitable profession for some students.)
It is obvious that the secularization of America is alive and well in our state school systems. More and more, we are witnessing attempts to remove Christian faith, morals and values from the public arena. This is yet another example of our move away from morality toward amorality. It is a move toward acceptance, tolerance and non-judgmentalism.
It certainly would be preferable to live in a Christian society, but it is not necessary. What is necessary is that if we want to raise faithful children, we had better get to work, and make their spiritual training a priority. If not, we will lose them to all the other, worldly influences that come to bear in their life.
