Progressivism: Drying the American Spirit

They say... that the Progressive Era brought in a liberal social movement to deal with the various social needs of that time. Policies in which would eventually turn into one big mass-social reform. Progressives supposedly turned their attention to problems such as class warfare, poverty, violence, racism, poor health. They seemed determined to eradicate through better education, a safer environment, an honest government, and an efficient workplace...

John Dewey, a pragmatic humanistic (opposite of Christianity) philosopher once said, “We want to bring all things educational together, to identify the lower and higher education, so that it shall be demonstrated to the eye that there is no lower or higher, but simply education.”[1] Dewey should have ended it with “but simple education.”

Dr. Stephen McDowell of Providence Foundation writes:
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​“According to the National Commission on Excellence in Education, America is 'A Nation at Risk.' The 1980's report stated: ‘If an unfriendly foreign power had attempted to impose on America the mediocre educational performance that exists today, we might well have viewed it as an act of war.’ The consequences of this poor performance are not only declining knowledge but also declining morality, both of which are necessary for a free and prosperous nation. The mediocrity is primarily due to a state monopolized educational system that has rejected its Christian foundation, replacing it with a secular ideology that teaches man is the ultimate authority and source of truth.”[1]

“Contrary to the belief of many ‘educrats,’ the underlying problem is not financial but ideological. We have replaced a Christian philosophy with a secular philosophy of education. The Apostle Paul warns us: “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (Col. 2:8).”[2]

And if that doesn’t explain it clearly, try this on for size:

“Comparing the Christian and humanistic philosophies of law reveals why the left has such apoplectic rage at having lost power and why they are willing to do anything to regain it, while conservatives accept liberals ruling with relative calm.”

“Law, from a Christian perspective and as the Founders of America viewed it, originates in the will of God, revealed in general to man through nature and his conscience, and more specifically in the revelation of the Scriptures. Law from a humanistic view is rooted in man, ultimately autonomous man, but practically in the state, and in the consensus of the majority, or of a powerful minority.”

“From a Biblical perspective man is fallen and fallible, has a sinful nature, and thus needs to be restrained. The Biblical purpose of civil law is to restrain the evil action of men in society. True law reveals what is right and wrong, and hence, exposes law-breakers. But law in itself cannot produce what is right, nor can it change the heart or attitude of man; therefore, the Christian acknowledges the inability to legislate “good,” or to make people moral by passing laws. However, the Christian recognizes the moral basis of all laws. All laws everywhere are based upon the moral presuppositions of the law-makers. Laws against murder reflect a moral belief. Laws against theft are based upon the command to not steal. All law has a moral concern. The important question to the Christian is ‘whose morality does it legislate?’”

“Humanists see the evils in society and in man, but explain them differently than Christians. To the humanist there is no higher being than man. There is no incarnate Savior. From a humanistic perspective there is no hope of internal regeneration to save man, therefore, any salvation or transformation that occurs in men or nations must come from man. Historically, humanistic man has tended to use the instrument of law and government to attempt to bring such a transformation or ‘salvation.’”

“Having no other means of provision, of salvation, or of peace, humanistic man attempts to regulate and provide all things through government and law. It is only through the force of law that evil will be eliminated and utopia established on earth. Humanistic law is used to promote and advance humanistic morals. Such law, in conjunction with a corresponding educational system, is the only hope humanistic man has of establishing a ‘saved’ or ‘righteous’ — that is, good and progressing — society.”

“To restate this, if there is no God who redeems man internally, then any elimination of problems brought on by what is in the heart of man must be done by man — often collective man and his government. The attempt will thus be made by government (at least those that have a vision for a progressing society) to use the instrument of law to bring more peace and goodwill among men and to eliminate all that is negative, such as poverty, crime, war, disease, prejudice, and ignorance.”

“People with this worldview will also often look to government to provide their own personal material needs, and they usually vote for those who promise them the most. Therefore, it is not surprising that in the last election (as well as all recent elections) the vast majority of people receiving food stamps, public housing, Medicaid, disability, Obamacare subsidies, and various welfare benefits voted for liberal Democrats, who promised to continue and/or expand such programs.”[3]

There are quite reasonable, and logical explanations for why certain individuals, societal entities, and leftist government have turned America into the breeding ground for vice, hostility, and confusion that we see around us every single day we step outside of our homes. This is not a fiction dystopian; this is a non-fiction reality that needs to be addressed with righteous continuity and perseverance. I fear that without pro-activity on our part; one day soon all of the practical ways to make money, how you teach your children, how you treat your health, and how you divvy up your own personal time will be completely framed-up by government and government proxies with no room for you to move socially, economically, or politically.

Sadly, a larger and larger percentage of the American population is knowingly and unknowingly inviting a personal life under a communal and socialist ideology. In a country where the government provides the mass majority of societies safety net—you really do start to see the demoralizing fruits of this condescending phenomena over a couple of decades. The intimate sense of self-value and worth that this nation is founded and built upon, are the same virtuous principles which have traditionally produced the truth in America’s success over societal progresses and advancements.

Our liberty is like a thick onion that is being peeled in layers; the more we see liberal government intrusively providing for the private citizenry of America—the less liberty we will have to enjoy. We are, and we will run out of the “freedom-of-option” that us American’s have come to appreciate. Get involved with your church, community and in local politics. It’s not an obligation, it’s truly an American responsibility. And, as always, continue to seek the truth…
 
Daniel L. Smith,
ComplexAmerica.org
 
Resources:

[1] "Democracy and Education, by John Dewey." Accessed June 5, 2020. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/852/852-h/852-h.htm.
[1] Dr. McDowell, Stephen K. "A Nation at Risk: Changing Textbooks Reveal the Secularization of American Education." Providence Foundation. Last modified June 19, 2018. https://providencefoundation.com/a-nation-at-risk-changing-textbooks-reveal-the-secularization-of-american-education/.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Dr. McDowell, Stephen K. "Why Do the Leftists Rage?: A War of Worldviews." Providence Foundation. Last modified February 15, 2017. https://providencefoundation.com/why-do-the-leftists-rage-a-war-of-worldviews/.