DANIEL: ABIDING UNDER PAGANISM

1. DANIEL: ABIDING UNDER PAGANISM

2. Modern Expressions of Paganism • Relativism • Secular Humanism • Postmodernism • Moral Equivalence

3. Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (CARM) Relativism Relativism is the philosophical position that all points of view are equally valid [moral equivalence], and that all truth is relative to the individual. This means that all moral positions, all religious systems, all art forms, all political movements, etc., are truths that are relative to the individual. Under the umbrella of relativism, whole groups of perspectives are categorized. In obvious terms, some are: cognitive relativism (truth) - Cognitive relativism affirms that all truth is relative. This would mean that no system of truth is more valid than another one, and that there is no objective standard of truth. It would, naturally, deny that there is a God of absolute truth. moral/ethical relativism - All morals are relative to the social group within which they are constructed. situational relativism - Ethics (right and wrong) are dependent upon the situation.

4. Secular Humanism wikipedia.com The philosophy or life stance of secular humanism (alternatively known by some adherents as Humanism, specifically with a capital H to distinguish it from other forms of humanism) embraces human reason, ethics, and philosophical naturalism while specifically rejecting religious dogma, supernaturalism, pseudoscience, and superstition as the basis of morality and decision making. Secular Humanism posits that human beings are capable of being ethical and moral without religion or a god. It does not, however, assume that humans are either inherently evil or innately good, nor does it present humans as being superior to nature. Rather, the humanist life stance emphasizes the unique responsibility facing humanity and the ethical consequences of human decisions. Fundamental to the concept of secular humanism is the strongly held viewpoint that ideology—be it religious or political—must be thoroughly examined by each individual and not simply accepted or rejected on faith. Along with this, an essential part of secular humanism is a continually adapting search for truth, primarily through science and philosophy. Many Humanists derive their moral codes from a philosophy of utilitarianism, ethical naturalism, or evolutionary ethics, and some...advocate a science of morality. Oxford dictionary humanism, with regard in particular to the belief that humanity is capable of morality and self-fulfillment without belief in God.

5. Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (CARM) Postmodernism Postmodernism is a relativistic system of observation and thought that denies absolutes and objectivity. Postmodernism has influenced theology, art, culture, architecture, society, film, technology, and economics. Traditional social, art, and cultural constructs are discarded and reinterpreted in relativistic terms. An example of postmodern thought would be the validation of homosexuality as an equally legitimate sexual expression over and against the Judeo-Christian ethic of heterosexual monogamy. In other words, previously taboo practices and beliefs are given equal validity to traditional values and norms often to the point of displacing the latter. This equalization and displacement are not restricted to religious realms but affect all circles of human interaction.

6. Moral Equivalence skepticsfieldguide.net … seek[ing] to draw false comparisons between two phenomena which are not morally equivalent. The fallacy of moral equivalence is a strategy often used to denigrate an agency or entity by implying or stating that its policies or practices are as reprehensible as a widely (and justifiably) despised agency or entity.

7. Modern Expressions of Paganism • Relativism • Secular Humanism • Postmodernism • Moral Equivalence

8. Daniel Passages • Chapter Contextual Theme • 1 Pagan Indoctrination • 2 Pagan Divination • 3 Pagan Tyranny • 4 Salvation of a Pagan • 5 Pagan Irreverence • 6 Pagan Intolerance

9. Pagan Indoctrination: Teaching (someone) to fully accept pagan ideas, opinions, and beliefs and to reject contrary ideas, opinions, and beliefs (particularly of biblical or Christian origin). Pagan Divination: Pursuing or asserting divine knowledge (knowledge of the supernatural or supernatural capacity to discern)—that amounts to truth—on the basis of human understanding or methods, sometimes coupled with the occult (i.e., demonic influence or involvement). Pagan Tyranny: The accumulation of all powers under the same pagan authority, whether of one, a few, or many, and the pagan exercise of such power over others for pagan purposes with a rigor not authorized by law or justice, and contrary to God’s purposes of government. Pagan Irreverence: Treating God and the things of God as common. Pagan Intolerance: The innate rejection of a worldview associated with God and His truth that is manifest in various ways and efforts which seek to vilify, diminish, or eliminate any influence of this worldview.

10. Two Choices • The Way of Shrinking Back (Heb 10:36-39) • The Way of Standing Firm (Eph 6:10-18/1 Cor 10:13)