Chapter 3 - List of World Views and Ideologies (The Culture War)
Abortion: The termination of a pregnancy, often a topic of ethical and moral debate.
Agnosticism: The view that the existence of God or ultimate reality is unknown or unknowable.
Anti-hierarchy: Opposition to hierarchical power structures and authority.
Atheism: The absence of belief in the existence of any metaphysical God or divinity.
Autonomy: The capacity for self-governance and the ability to make independent decisions.
Baha’i Faith: A relatively modern religion that emerged in the 19th century, Baha’i Faith teaches the belief in one God who has sent various messengers throughout history, including Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith.
Communism: At its most basic, communism is a philosophy based on the equitable distribution of wealth among a nation’s citizens and common ownership of all property. In particular, it called for the control of the means of production, such as manufacturing and agriculture, by the working class, or proletariat. Its ultimate goal was achieving a classless society, at which point the state (or government) would “wither away.” The reality, however in Socialist COuntries the State never withered away, but centralised control and wealth among few totalitarian leaders.
Communalism: A system where property and resources are owned and shared by the community. Economy of Mutuality see Dr Arno van Niekerk’s new book: https://cumbooks.co.za/products/the-inclusive-economy-criteria-principles-and-ubuntu-paperback
Critical Race Theory: Critical race theory is an academic concept that is more than 40 years old. The core idea is that race is a social construct, and that racism is not merely the product of individual bias or prejudice, but also something embedded in legal systems and policies. See also: Systemic Racism
Deism: The belief in a distant, impersonal, and non-intervening deity who created the universe but does not actively interfere with its workings.
Determinism is a philosophical concept that posits that all events and actions in the universe are determined by preceding causes and natural laws. According to determinism, every event is the inevitable result of antecedent conditions and causal factors, meaning that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between events. In a deterministic worldview, the future is regarded as fixed and predetermined based on the current state of the universe and the laws that govern it. This perspective implies that free will and genuine randomness do not exist, as everything is bound by causality. There are different forms of determinism:
Causal determinism: This is the most common form of determinism and suggests that every event has a cause or set of causes that determine its occurrence. In other words, if we knew all the causes and their interactions, we could predict any future event with certainty.
Biological determinism: This form of determinism suggests that human behavior, personality traits, and even societal structures are primarily determined by genetic, hormonal, or physiological factors.
Environmental determinism: This form of determinism argues that human behavior and cultural development are mainly shaped by environmental and geographical factors.
Technological determinism: This view contends that technology and its development have a significant influence on shaping society and culture.
Psychological determinism: This form of determinism posits that human actions are driven by unconscious impulses, desires, and motives.
Critics of determinism often argue that it negates the concept of human autonomy and moral responsibility, as it implies that individuals have no true control over their actions. On the other hand, proponents of determinism assert that it provides a coherent and consistent worldview that aligns with scientific laws and causality. The debate between determinism and free will remains a complex and ongoing topic in philosophy and other disciplines.
Dialogue: The act of exchanging ideas and opinions through conversation.
Entitlement: A belief or sense of deserving certain privileges or treatment.
Equity: Providing fairness and justice by considering individual circumstances and needs.
Euthanasia: The intentional ending of a person’s life to relieve suffering, also a subject of ethical debate.
Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in Europe. It focuses on individual existence, freedom, choice, and the subjective experience of the individual. Existentialism rejects the notion that there is an inherent, predetermined meaning or purpose to life and instead emphasizes the individual’s responsibility in creating their own meaning and values.
Family: A social unit consisting of male and female parents and their children.
Freedom of speech: The right to express one’s thoughts and opinions without censorship.
Gender-neutral: Language or practices that avoid gender-specific distinctions.
Gnosticism: A collection of religious ideas that emphasize direct spiritual knowledge and understanding.
Henotheism: A belief in multiple gods, but with a focus on the worship of one particular deity as supreme over the others.
Intersectionalism: The interpretation of the world through the lens of ‘social justice’, ‘identity group politics’ and ‘intersectionalism’ is probably the most audacious and comprehensive effort since the end of the Cold War at creating a new ideology. “The Madness of Crowds: Gender, Race and Identity; THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER” by Douglas Murray. Read this book on Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/book/423478061
Islam: Founded by the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century CE, Islam emphasizes the oneness of God (Allah) as revealed in the Quran, the holy book of Islam.
We were sent to you by Allah the most gracious, the most merciful. We call upon you to submit to him, to his messenger Mohammed and all his umma,* and you will have peace. But if you refuse, and prefer to continue in your disbelief, then be ready to face Allah’s displeasure.
And remember: “He who obeys the messenger, obeys God” (Surah 4:80).
But if you choose to fight, know for sure that we fight for the cause of God and that he “is stronger in might and stronger in inflicting punishment” (Surah 4:84). This was dawa in classical Islam.
(Ultimate Frontier – Meeting the challenge of Islamic Dawa. (With Spesial focus on Africa) Christo Heiberg)
Individuality: The uniqueness and distinctiveness of each person as an individual.
Intersectionality: A concept that recognizes how various forms of oppression and discrimination intersect and compound in people’s lives.
Judaism: One of the oldest monotheistic faiths, centered around the covenant between God and the Jewish people, as revealed in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) and the Talmud.
Liberalism: A political and philosophical ideology that emphasizes individual rights, freedom, and limited government intervention.
LGBTQIA+: An acronym representing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual individuals, among others. (Homoseksualiteit en die Bybel. Jan Du Rand & Marius Nel)
LGBTQQIP2SA: any combination of letters attempting to represent all the identities in the queer community, this near-exhaustive one (but not exhaustive) represents Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Pansexual, Two-Spirited, and Asexual.
Marriage: A legally recognized union between a male and a female.
Materialism: The belief that only physical matter exists and that everything can be explained through physical processes.
Merit: The concept of earning rewards or success based on personal effort and ability.
Modernity: A historical period characterized by the rise of industrialization, urbanization, and scientific advancements.
Monotheist: The belief in a single deity or god.
Monotheism: Belief in the existence of a single, all-powerful, and all-knowing God who is the creator and sustainer of the universe. Examples include Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.
Moral absolutes: Fixed and objective moral principles that are universally true.
Naturalism: The belief that the natural world is all that exists and there are no supernatural forces.
Non-binary: An identity outside the traditional gender binary of male and female.
Paganism: A diverse set of spiritual beliefs often rooted in nature worship.
Panentheism: Similar to pantheism, but with the additional belief that the divine or God is greater than the universe and encompasses it, while also being immanent within it.
Polytheism: Belief in the existence of multiple gods, each with their own distinct characteristics, responsibilities, and domains. Examples include Hinduism and ancient Greco-Roman religions.
Postmodern: A philosophical and cultural perspective that challenges traditional notions of truth, authority, and certainty. One can define post-modernism in one of four ways:
- Deconstructionist thinking or deconstructionist meaning (any meaning is possible)
- In terms of its Relativist tendencies or proclivities toward hyper subjectivism.
- A critique of power influenced by Marxist thinking towards power. A unique form of identity politics.
- Anti-modern (anti-science, anti-reason, anti-technology, anti-Enlightenment). Rejection of grand narratives (absolute truth and objective reality)
One of its defining goals is the disavowal of objective truth. For postmoderns, truth is not something to be found or discovered. This type of pursuit is impossible for a couple of reasons. First, the truth cannot be discovered because every interpreter is laden with pre-understanding and biases that prevent him from seeing outside his own situation. Second, postmoderns reject the existence of universal metanarratives to explain the world—absolute truths do not exist in postmodern thinking. Instead, postmodernism sees truth as relative and subjective. Each interpreter creates his or her own truth.
Racism: Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against individuals or groups based on their race or ethnicity.
Sanctity: The state of being holy, sacred, and pure. Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God. (Mat 5:8)
Secular Humanism: A worldview that focuses on human values and ethics without reliance on religious beliefs.
Secularism: The separation of religion from government and public institutions.
Sikhism: Established by Guru Nanak in the 15th century CE in the Indian subcontinent, Sikhism teaches belief in one formless, transcendent God and rejects idol worship.
Socialism: An economic and political system in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the community as a whole. Countdown to Socialism: The National Democratic Revolution in South Africa Since 1994 by Anthea Jeffery https://a.co/d/0BMVgUe
Sovereignty: Supreme authority and power over a territory or a group of people.
Woke:“Critical Theory”, popularly known as “Wokeness”. Stripped of all its pretentious academic jargon, Critical Theory fuses the academic traditions of Marxism and Post-Modernism. Critical Theory (like all versions of Marxist theory) divides the world into two main categories: Victims and Villains. The incessant struggle between good and evil, thus defined, is the motor of history. However, according to Critical Theory, this divide is no longer along class lines, (as classical Marxists claim). It is a struggle based on innate attributes of personal identity, with the fault-lines being race, sex, sexuality, gender identity, and disability (and as many other categories of disadvantaged minorities as one can devise). Where these fault lines cross, is the point where people are most victimised. Hence the term “intersectionality” which features so strongly in the Post-Modern lexicon at universities, and on the social media streets of Wokeville. Wokeness glorifies victimhood. Victims are inherently good — and the more “victimhoods” a person can claim, the nobler they are. The white, heterosexual able-bodied man is the epitome of historical evil, perpetuated in the present. A woke understanding of history is merely a litany of atrocities committed by white heterosexual males, pivoting on colonialism and slavery. “Wokeness is the leftist/Social Justice Warriors’ version of the Civil Rights Movement. They claim to be fighting for racial reconciliation and equality but what they are actually fighting for is special treatment for groups that are perceived to be oppressed. They want equality of outcomes by any means necessary, even if it means using neo-Marxist ideas such as Critical Race Theory. Being Woke is the worst thing a person can be today.”
Please note that these explanations are simplified, and many of these concepts have deep philosophical, cultural, and political significance. If you have specific questions or need further elaboration on any of these terms, feel free to ask.
The Judeo-Christian worldview is a philosophical and religious perspective that encompasses the beliefs, values, and ethical principles derived from the sacred texts and traditions of Judaism and Christianity. It is rooted in the idea of monotheism, which means belief in one God, and it forms the foundation for the moral and spiritual frameworks of many Western societies.
Key elements of the Judeo-Christian worldview include:
Belief in One God: Both Judaism and Christianity affirm the existence of a single, transcendent, and all-powerful God. This monotheistic belief sets them apart from polytheistic religions.
Creation and Human Dignity: The Judeo-Christian worldview teaches that God is the Creator of the universe and everything in it, including humanity. As such, human beings are seen as unique and valuable creations made in the image of God, which bestows inherent dignity and worth upon every individual.
Divine Revelation: The Judeo-Christian worldview holds that God has revealed Himself and His will to humanity through various means, such as sacred scriptures (e.g., the Bible) and prophets. These revelations serve as guides for moral conduct and spiritual understanding.Morality and Ethics: Central to the Judeo-Christian worldview is the concept of moral absolutes, wherein certain actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of cultural or situational factors. The Ten Commandments in Judaism and Christianity serve as fundamental ethical guidelines.
Covenantal Relationship: In Judaism, there is a covenantal relationship between God and the Jewish people, established through figures like Abraham and Moses. Christianity views the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God’s covenant and the establishment of a new covenant with humanity.
Salvation and Redemption: Both Judaism and Christianity emphasize the idea of salvation or redemption. In Judaism, salvation often involves living a righteous life and adhering to God’s commandments. In Christianity, salvation is believed to come through faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior and the acceptance of His sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.
Love and Compassion: Love, compassion, and care for others are central themes in the Judeo-Christian worldview. This includes the commandment to love one’s neighbor as oneself and to show kindness and mercy to those in need.
Hope and Eschatology: The Judeo-Christian worldview often includes beliefs about the future and the ultimate destiny of humanity and the world. Concepts of heaven, hell, resurrection, and final judgment play significant roles in shaping these eschatological beliefs.
Christian Humanism: This perspective emphasizes the inherent dignity and value of every human being, as taught by Jesus. It seeks to promote compassion, justice, and love for all, reflecting the core principles of Jesus’ teachings.
Christian Existentialism: This “ism” focuses on the individual’s subjective experience of faith and the importance of personal responsibility and decision-making, echoing the emphasis Jesus placed on personal transformation and faith.
Christian Pacifism: Rooted in Jesus’ teachings of non-violence and love for enemies, this “ism” advocates for peaceful resolutions to conflicts and rejects the use of force or violence.
Christian Communalism: Inspired by Jesus’ concern for the poor and marginalized, this “ism” promotes economic and social equality and advocates for the fair distribution of resources.
Christian Ecumenism: This “ism” highlights the call for unity among Christian denominations, reflecting Jesus’ prayer for his followers to be one as he and the Father are one.
Christian Liberation Theology: Influenced by Jesus’ mission to bring freedom and liberation, this “ism” focuses on addressing social and political injustices and empowering the oppressed.
Christ-centred Judeo-mono-theism: True Christianity is the vital dynamic of the Spirit of Christ in those who are receptive to Him by faith. A Christian is a “Christ-one,” identified in spiritual union with Jesus Christ, and Christianity is “Christ-in-you-ity” (cf. Col. 1:27; II Cor. 13:5), as the Spirit of Christ indwells the spirit of each Christian individual (Rom. 8:9).