the socio-cultural world

The Socio-Cultural World

Culture

Behavior patterns, beliefs, and all other products of a group of people that are passed on from generation to generation◦ Ethnocentrism — tendency to favor one’s own

group over other groups

Sociocultural Influences

Elements of the non-material culture (ideas, beliefs, values, etc.) are generally held together by an integrated and coherent worldview, which is a comprehensive but basic idea of how the world works and/or ought to work.

To the extent that this worldview is shared among the members of the culture, the worldview and the culture remain stable with low levels of change.

Cultural Worldview

Children are taught the ways and ideas of their culture, and this provides a backdrop for their development

However, an inconsistent or multiple culture is more difficult to learn and often creates doubt and confusion.

Socialization into a Culture

Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; . . .

Matthew 12:25, Holy Bible, KJV

America is a “Kingdom Divided”

Should we be globalists/world citizens or nationalists/patriots?◦ Being overtaken by an international, world

government

Should we be socialist or capitalist?◦ Moving toward a European-style Socialist state

Should we have a large or small government?

What are the major points of division?

◦ What Is Globalism?

◦ . . . The belief that events in one country cannot be separated from another and that the world is moving toward a form of government and economics that transcends traditional nation-states.

◦ A small but powerful group of internationalists have been working for decades to bring various aspects of our society under one, universal system.

Kirby Anderson Worldviewtimes.com

The New World Order

. . . The belief that a small and certain group of people are, in fact, better equipped to rule the world than are others and that the rest of the people are best governed by the elite.

A group of about 300 families control most of the world’s wealth.

Some are apparently convinced that it is their right and duty to rule the world.

What is elitism?

Extremely wealthy international bankers from all around the world, with a larger concentration in Europe and the U.S.

European royalty, heads of state, & other extremely rich and/or powerful people.

Backed on the next level by heads of corporations & universities; powerful politicians, etc.

And who are not? The rest of us

Who are the power elite?

In response to need or desirability: “Many think a solution that rises above any one

nation must be found.” Financial Times, Jan., 2009

Reasons (Good solutions or just useful idiots?)◦ Peace◦ Saving the environment◦ Equality◦ Regulation of business

Or is it just the enjoyment of money and power?

Why do we need a New World Order?

As we become global, Americans should expect –

◦ Loss of national sovereignty◦ Loss of prosperity◦ Erosion of freedom◦ Erosion of privacy◦ Enslavement to a lifetime of debt

How about the U.S.?

Council on Foreign Relations◦ July 29, 1921◦ Promotional arm of the ruling Elite in the U.S.A.:

politicians, academics, media, most Presidents & Secretarys of State (Sometimes called America’s Shadow Government)

Original goal: to federate the English-speaking people of the world

Accused of desiring the overthrow of the Constitution & American sovereignty

New World Order: Proponents

Bilderberg Group (The Alliance)◦ Formed 1954, Holland

◦ 100 elite picked by Lord Victor Rothschild & Lawrence Rockefeller

◦ Initial purpose: Create the European Union◦ Current purpose: microchip world population by

2017

◦ 35 member steering committee◦ Annual meetings, surrounded by armed guards


Club of Rome◦ Established 1965/1968, Bellagio, Italy

75 members, 25 countries Connected to Round Table & NATO

◦ Goal: to be a forum to discuss future world system; main concern, world population

◦ 1973 – organized the world into 10 regions◦ 1976 – agenda, redistribution of wealth

◦ Concern: world population control; Council on environmental action – aggressive sterilization, abortion, contraception


Trilateral Commission ◦ Formed 1972

Offshoot of CFR, Bilderberg Rockefeller instrumental (Jimmy Carter, Zbignieu

Brzezinski)

◦ Called for management of America’s future (take over key policy positions), community of nations, world government (socialist)

◦ Meets annually, closed to media

◦ Reported to reject the idea of constitutional democracy


What is sustainable development?

. . . Development that will not erode the world’s resources over time to the point that they cannot be replenished.

. . . A plan to eliminate as much as 85% of the world’s population

. . . Outlined in United Nations Agenda 21

And, of course, the UN.

Traditional American◦ Representative Republic◦ Free Enterprise Capitalism ◦ Nationalism/patriotism◦ (Christianity)

Opposing◦ Socialism (Progressivism)

Communism Fascism (Nazism)

◦ Globalism Elitism

Competing Worldviews

Freedom from government oppression.

Freedom to speak, worship, and generally live their lives without government interference.

What were the founders of the United States seeking freedom from and freedom to do?

Currently generally known as Conservative/”Tea Party”/(Republican more so than Democrat)

◦ Small government/low taxes Vs large government/high taxes

◦ Rule of Law/Constitution Vs. rule by those in power

◦ Personal freedom & responsibility Vs. government dependence

◦ Patriotism/nationalism Vs. globalism

◦ Government exists to serve the people vs. the people existing to serve the government

Traditional American Perspective

Rule of Law – the Constitution

(As opposed to rule by the powerful)

One thing standing in the way of socialist infiltration is the U.S. Constitution and the freedoms or rights that it guarantees.

Preservation of Freedom

Bill of Rights – Amendment I to the U.S. Constitution

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

What freedoms are we worried about?

Amendment I: “. . . Or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press.”

Attempts to control the internet

Overt expressions of desire to silence FOX news and talk radio (e.g., Rush Limbaugh)


Amendment II: . . . “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

◦ Issues of legislating gun control have surfaced for several decades, and some laws have been enacted.

◦ People are buying up guns and ammunition.◦ The underlying assumption of this right is that

it is difficult to control an armed populace.


Amendment X: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States, respectively, or to the people.”

Limitation & Division of Powers between the Federal and State Governments

Worldnet Daily, Feb. 24, 2009

“ The State of Oklahoma hereby claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the Constitution of the United States.”

Sovereignty bills had been passed or introduced in 33 states by August 2009.

Sovereignty Bills

Government regulation of private enterprise

Government provision of services to citizens (entitlement)/government control of those services

Big government/ high taxes

Redistribution of wealth (social justice)/few opportunities

Socialism

Government has the right to control the people.

Rule of the people by the powerful rather than rule of law/constitution is acceptable.

People exist to serve the government.

People need little personal responsibility or freedom and (in fact) are not capable of handling it.

Assumptions of Socialism

What are the similarities?◦ One leads to the other. Lenin said that the end goal of

socialism was communism.◦ Progressive -> socialist -> communist

◦ All agree that people need to be ruled, and do not have any rights other than what the government offers them. This is oppression.

Communism/Socialism

What’s the difference?◦ Progressive -> socialist -> communist

Communists (Marxist) believe in government ownership, not just regulation. Socialists believe in government control.

Marxists believe in violent overthrow of governments, Fabian & Gramscian socialists believe in gradual takeover by infiltration.

Communism/Socialism

Tend to lead to totalitarian dictatorships

Control the lives of their citizens:◦ Jobs & income: no competition, prescribed by government◦ Housing: no private property, government rental◦ Clothing: government stores, storehouses, possible uniforms◦ Travel: restricted, often not allowed outside country◦ Religion: official, state-sanctioned & regulated◦ Speech: no right to criticize the government◦ Healthcare (life and death): no choice of care◦ etc.

Communist/Socialist Governments

Generally imprison those who openly disagree with them (political dissenters)

Have track records of murdering their own citizens, sometimes into the millions

Tend to have poor economies because there is no incentive to work hard where income is redistributed

Communist/Socialist Governments

“Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power.”

Benito Mussolini

This was the form of government in Nazi Germany when Adolph Hitler was in power.

The “Third Way” currently being advocated by former President Bill Clinton and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair advocates an interlocking type of cooperation between government and business (nationally or internationally) that fits the definition of fascism.

How about the Economy?

Communism did not really get a foothold politically until the early 20th Century◦ (Marx & Engels did not publish the Communist Manifesto

until 1848.) The United States spent much of the 20th Century

trying to stop the spread of Communism.◦ Cuba/South America◦ Korean War◦ Vietnam War◦ Cold War◦ Ronald Reagan/Berlin Wall

And Nazism (National Socialism)◦ WWII

Historical Relation to America

Working to get people of your worldview/political philosophy into key positions in government, media, education, and business

Using these institutions to indoctrinate the remainder of the citizens into agreeing to your rule

Tactics: control of information, creation of dependency upon the government through giveaways and promises; creation of crises and fear causing people to give power to the government in exchange for protection; creation of discontent among some groups

These are tactics of Fabian or Gramscian Socialists

What is infiltration?

Tactics to Destroy a Culture

Destabilization of the family Issues with Religion Censorship of information in education Bias and withholding of information in the media

Emphasis on social rights rather than responsibilities

Rapid and uncontrolled immigration

Sociocultural Influences

Four Socialist organizations in the U.S. House of Representatives, including chairs of 11 of the 20 committees. [Prior to the fall 2010 elections]

◦ Progressive Democrats of America (6)◦ Congressional Progressive Caucus (74)◦ Congressional Black Caucus (43)◦ Democratic Socialists of America (?)

Just how socialist has the government become?

Culture & Religion

Feldman Module 11-2

Religion & Culture Religion can be the chief influence of a

culture – Islam Religion can be a unifying force for cultural

morality. Religion can be ignored in a culture – The

“state church” of Denmark is Lutheranism. Differing religious views within a culture can

be a cause for conflict.

Interface of Faith & Culture George Barna –

◦ “Every person’s central choices in life are driven by their worldview, and everyone’s worldview is greatly influenced by their spiritual inclinations. Their social and political preferences are closely tied to their spiritual beliefs and practices.”

Christianity is The Foundational Religion of The United States

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, . . . . .

Hard work + thrifty living = prosperity.

This created a prosperous middle class.

Also rejection of the concept of royalty/nobility.

The Protestant Work Ethic

“The more I read, hear and research, the more I am willing to believe this financial crisis which was mostly birthed in the Clinton administration and continued by the George W. Bush administration, was possibly orchestrated in order to destroy the Middle class and implement radical, extreme socialism; . . “

Brannon HowseChristian Worldview Network

What about the Middle Class?

Christian Apostasy Started around 1900 with questioning of the

infallibility/inerrancy of the Holy Bible. Denial of Biblical beliefs; truth and authority of

the Holy Bible (Apostasy) Mentality of salvation by good works Universal salvation of all faiths and those

with no faith The idea of many equal paths to God –

universal religion Liberation theology

Who among Christians Has a Biblical Worldview?

Source: Barna Polls in 1995, 2000 and 2005 Respondents: self-described Christians

yes no

Biblical worldview 9% 91%

Beliefs about truth:

◦ Absolute moral truth exists34% 66%

◦ The Bible is accurate 50% 50%

◦ Truth is discovered only through logic, reason, and experience 54% 46%

◦ The Bible, the Koran (Qu’ran), and the Book of Mormon are different versions 44% 56%

of the same truth

What Do “Christians” Really Believe? yes no

God is the all-knowing, all powerful creator who still rules 70% 30%

The Holy Spirit is only a symbol 40%60%

Jesus lived a sinless life 40% 60%

Satan is real 27% 73%

Demons are real 67% 33%

What Do “Christians” Believe about how to get to Heaven?

Only 30% believed that salvation comes through correct beliefs.

50% believed in salvation (getting to heaven) on the basis of good works. (Only 28% believed you cannot get to heaven by good works.)

50+% believed some non-believers can get to heaven (42% included atheists)

75% believed people are not born sinful, but neutral

The Emergent Church (Compromising) - secularization Generally apostate – questions doctrine Ambiguous idea of truth (postmodern) Universal salvation Social justice gospel Open to pagan (non-Christian) practices

◦ Yoga◦ Meditation (contemplative prayer)◦ Walking the labyrinth

Is the Influence of Christianity in America Waning?

“at the close of 2008, few Americans perceive that religion is thriving in U.S. society, and a relatively small majority believe that religion is relevant to solving today’s problems. They also believe the overall influence of religion is declining.”

2008 Gallup Poll

With What Competing Ideologies are people trying to merge traditional Christianity?

New Age/Humanism/Cosmic Humanism◦One-world Spirituality

Liberation Theology/Social Justice (Marxist)◦Socialism/Communism (atheist)

Islam (Chrislam)?

How about the New Spirituality? New Age “Cafeteria” Religion

◦ Based on personal experience

Cosmic Humanism ◦ God is in everything. (Pantheism)◦ We are all gods.

Wicca is popular; reincarnation is popular; meditation and occult practices are popular

New Age Gospels? Oprah Winfrey (and many others)– many

paths to God; spirituality is about feeling, not belief◦ Marianne Williamson – A Course in Miracles

LSD gave a whole generation a spiritual experience Helen Schucman in 1965, wrote this course.

She believed that she was channeling “Jesus”. However, her “Jesus” contradicted the historical one of the Bible.

He said there was no sin, no need of a savior, salvation comes from yourself, and Jesus was just a man.

One-World Spirituality: Do we really all need to be on the same page?

Evolutionary humanism (Man will spiritually evolve on into godhood.)

Hindu pantheism (God is in everything.) Occultism

◦ Practice, experiences, channeling “ascended masters”

Socialism/social justice Environmentalism (nature worship) Coming Alien Invasion (U.N., Vatican) Goal: Unified world

What is liberation theology? It is Marxist, Communist tactics and doctrine

masquerading as (Catholic) Christianity.

It has a history among liberal Catholic theologians, and was practiced extensively in South America by Jesuit priests in the 1970s and 1980s.

What is liberation theology? Basically, it advocates redistribution of

income.◦ How is this different from charity?

It also advocates Christian cooperation in the overthrow of governments to obtain social justice for the poor and oppressed.

What is liberation theology?

What is currently happening?

◦ Rev. Jim Wallis claims to be a spiritual advisor to the President. He has had relationships with the communist Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador and has rallied support for the communist Nicaraguan regime. He is calling for “social justice” in America.

What is liberation theology? It has more recently become popular among

socialist-leaning, protestant evangelicals.

Tony Campolo (The Red-Letter Christians) says that “Christians should engage in efforts to change the political and economic structures of our society because these structures do not adequately address the needs of the poor and the oppressed.”

What is liberation theology?◦ Together they want the U.S. government to further

tax America’s rich and give the confiscated proceeds to the poor.

◦ They do not seem to realize what when you do this, most of the money ends up in the pockets of highly paid government administrators (about 75%), or in the case of foreign aid, the Swiss bank accounts of dictators.

◦ Columnist Thomas Sowell insists that we could raise every poor person in the U.S. out of poverty in one week while reducing the program budget by 75% simply by getting rid of the government bureaucracy.

And How About the Muslims? Islam is a politico-religious system. The Muslim goal is world domination. To achieve this they are using population,

immigration, and terrorism. Their agenda is the U.S. is to become a

mainstream (the dominant) religion, become numerous enough to elect a mayor of a large city, and eventually a president (2024).

They also want many countries, including the U.S. to become Sharia compliant.

This would cost us our freedom of speech, freedom of worship, and women’s rights.

And How About the Muslims? The ideologies (not people) of Christianity and Islam

cannot peacefully coexist. – What is Chrislam?

While Christians are told only to share their faith to make converts, Muslims are permitted to persecute and even kill unbelievers who refuse to convert.

Muslims are currently persecuting Christians, Jews, and others around the world.

Iranian leaders believe they must destroy Israel and the United States so that the Mahdi (the Muslim messiah) or the 12th Imam will return to convert the whole world to Islam (the caliphate).

Why you don’t want to be Sharia compliant?

Islam orders/commands:◦ 1. . . . Jihad (war) against the infidels (unbelievers).◦ 2.. . . Apostates to be killed.◦ 3. . . .death for critics of Muhammad, the Qu’ran, & Sharia.◦ 4.. . . Fornicators to be whipped and adulterers to be

stoned to death.◦ 5. . . . Homosexuals must be executed.◦ 6. . . . Highway robbers should be crucified or mutilated.◦ 7. . . . Male & female thieves must have a hand cut off.◦ 8. . . . An injured plaintiff may extract an eye for an eye.◦ 9.. . . Husbands may hit their wives, even if they merely

fear highhandedness◦ 10. . . Drinkers and gamblers should be whipped.

And how about prophecy? Christian Prophecy

◦ Belief that the Second Coming of Christ will be soon The nation of Israel has been restored. There appears to be a one-world government on the horizon.

◦ Doctrine of the Rapture Belief that Jesus will remove his true followers from the Earth

prior to a 7-year period of time called the “tribulation” during which the world is ruled by a world dictator and terrible judgment takes place.

◦ The belief that Jesus is returning to rescue Israel and set up His kingdom there, and that the United States will surely be judged if we are not her ally.

Islamic Prophecy The 12th Imam or the Mahdi will come and

convert the whole world to Islam. He will bring Isa (Jesus) with him to assist him in doing this. The unbelievers will be killed.

There are a number of interesting parallels between Christian and Islamic prophecies. However, they are mirror-image such that the Muslim Mahdi tends to fit the Christian description of the anti-Christ.

the socio-cultural world

Documents