Sometimes we tend to contrast those who ‘have faith’ and those who don’t ‘have faith’. The reality is that we all live by faith, that is, we all base our lives on things we believe to be true, whether they are or not.
Last week I came across the following quotation: “All persons construct centres of value and meaning to which they give their trust and loyalty.”
That got me thinking about we Aussies and the values and beliefs that are fundamental to our thinking. Essentially we are a secular society – that is, we don’t base ourselves on any particular religious viewpoint, we are an open society.
However, secularism has some underlying core beliefs that are widely accepted by Aussies (tho they are believed ‘by faith’):
– the individual takes precedence over group or community
– happiness is the main purpose of life
– enjoyment in the here and now is the main thing
– prosperity and happiness go hand in hand
– science and technology have rendered faith (religious or otherwise) out-moded
– youth is idolised, the body and all things to do with the body, are a major focus
– there are no moral absolutes – do what’s right for you
– all ideas/philosophies/religions are equally valid except the idea that some ideas are better than others!
Secularism is largely built on prosperity, and these core beliefs become the assumptions by which we live and shape our thinking. Far from being neutral, secularism is believed by faith and its message is constantly trumpeted by media, advertising, and all dominant forms of communication and influence in this country. Young people are raised to believe in secularism without question or evaluation. It is powerful and all pervasive.
Yet, ironically, secularism cannot answer the big questions of life – who am I? why am I here? what is life’s true purpose? is there anything more beyond the grave? how do we establish human worth and value? etc.
Hence, secularism will lead many to disillusionment and frustration. It is a faith well-suited to prosperity.
As we approach the Easter season, we can reflect on other sources of faith. The claims of Jesus Christ highlight a source of faith that transcends secularism and lays bare its hollow heart. A faith grounded in Christ invites thoughtful exploration and careful application.
Living in a thoroughly secular and shifting culture challenges us all the more to take to heart the radical teachings and life of Jesus who cuts through to our inner lives and the nature of our true personhood, made in the likeness of a personal God.