The Secularization of School Systems in Barbados

N.B. Links are inserted throughout the post that can be opened in a new tab. These are important as they aid in one’s understanding of the topic and related themes.

“Cut out the religious mumbo jumbo!”- Political Scientist Dr. Tennyson Joseph

In the  article posted by Barbados Today, we were exposed to Dr. Joseph’s belief that “a universally accepted secular curriculum would eradicate any conflicts which may exist for non-Christian members of the island’s increasingly diverse society.” Therefore, he proposed an end to “Christian” teaching in schools. However, he still held homeschool to be an option for those with different beliefs.

I interviewed a few people to gather their views on his position. An agnostic stated that there should be secular schools but also religious schools which cater to children from households of specific religions. In secular schools, all religions can be together without for example, a Muslim child having to be in a Christian assembly. An atheist was also of similar opinion, stating that while he thought it a fine idea to remove religion from schools it would only be legitimate if it was replaced by the teaching of morals, togetherness and unity. However, many Christians believe removing “God” would lead to the depraved society. I stated my position on a Facebook thread:

I don’t believe religion ever had a place in the educational system. An unregenerate society with “morals” is still in danger of hellfire. After all the religious education and prayers in the morning, we still have a society that needs to be preached the gospel of Christ. Claiming Christianity is part of the educational system is also damaging as well; as I am sure you have seen the mixed messages in school where we have “sermons” in the morning, then wukking up on stage in the evening and other worldly messages being preached at the same time. What view does this give the society about Christianity? How does this portray our Saviour? That He delights in the mixing of good and evil? That He is of the world? You have to admit that trying to place Christianity within the world system does more harm to its reputation

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. ¹⁷And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:15-17

In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. ¹¹For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. ¹²Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. ¹³Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 1 John 3:10-13

¹⁸If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. ²⁰Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. ²¹But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.John 15:18-21

Last time I checked, Barbadian society was part of the world.

I begin with these well known verses among those in the church to show the irony of Christians desiring acceptance within the world and expecting a positive view of true Biblical Christianity within any society. The apparent religious atmosphere of this Caribbean nation has fooled many, both Christians and non-Christians, for too long.

From studying this verse in the Christian Bible, which I dearly believe to be the infallible  word of God, and my observance of society, I have come to the conclusion that the claim that Barbados is a Christian nation is quite erroneous. Unless Christians raise money to buy our own island, there will never be such thing as a Christian nation. When judged in line of scripture or by anyone well versed in Christian theology and philosophy, Barbadian society becomes a secular society, comprising of inconsistent deists and theists who are somewhat ignorant of religion, especially Christianity. Moral Therapeutic Deism is the true religion of Barbadian society. This belief system dominates our island and we falsely label it Christianity.  The “God” of Bajans is a deistic god.If the secularization of educational curriculum would rid this island of this religion I certainly approve of the idea. Atheism is highly tolerated more than deism and false Christianity in my thoughts. I prefer atheists who merely disbelieve Christianity than those who align themselves with it, spread heresy and result in false portrayals of Christianity. I’d take Richard Dawkins over Joel Osteen anyday.

This is not the God who thunders from the mountain, nor a God who will serve as judge. This undemanding deity is more interested in solving our problems and in making people happy. “In short, God is something like a combination Divine Butler and Cosmic Therapist: he is always on call, takes care of any problems that arise, professionally helps his people to feel better about themselves, and does not become too personally involved in the process.”

Obviously, Moralistic Therapeutic Deism is not an organized faith. This belief system has no denominational headquarters and no mailing address. Nevertheless, it has millions and millions of devotees across the United States and other advanced cultures, where subtle cultural shifts have produced a context in which belief in such an undemanding deity makes sense. Furthermore, this deity does not challenge the most basic self-centered assumptions of our postmodern age. Particularly when it comes to so-called “lifestyle” issues, this God is exceedingly tolerant and this religion is radically undemanding

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/6266/#rLEv2eGy9kxsc7TI.99

Barbadians align themselves with Christianity and profess a belief in Jesus Christ because Christianity has been erroneously taught in the schools and even within our churches. Jesus is not who you think he is. He was not a passive, soft, nice guy. In fact, he was very confrontational and this society would hate him because he would not stand for our BS. Let’s make it clear, the scriptures testify of who Jesus is. The Gospels contained in the New Testament of the Christian tell us of his character, his ministry, his teachings etc. Any beliefs that oppose what the Christian Bible says about Jesus are false. The absence of these biblical writings does not mean that Christ absolutely ceases to exist, it just means that we would not know him, we would only know of him, so unless you have studied the scriptures you only know of Jesus (his existence), you don’t know him. Disbelief/ignorance of the Bible while claiming knowledge of how Jesus was, how he lived, his teachings etc leads to inconsistencies and errors. That is why many are deceived, they don’t read and study the scriptures. I know many of you claim a belief in Jesus yet you deny the authority of scriptures and declare the holy scriptures as being written by men. So you dismiss the Bible while stating “Oh I just believe in a god of love.” but how can you know this god is a god of love if he never revealed himself to mankind, allowing you to know of this characteristics, his laws for humanity etc. Not to mention that you borrow this characteristic of your deistic god from the God of Christianity which is revealed in the holy scriptures. Therefore you are an inconsistent deist and your belief system doesn’t even account for morality either. You create a god in your own image.

A Deist can’t assert anything about their god, since their god never revealed themselves to anyone. In Deism, there can be no objective morality, as there isn’t any objective moral standard revealed by their god. Some may argue that morality was placed in our hearts by this Deistic god, but they have no way of knowing if that’s actually the case, due to a lack of any sort of revelation. Deism has basically the same issues concerning morality (and other things) as Atheism. Most of the same arguments you can use against Atheism can be used against Deism.

Sorry I got carried away, as this post is mainly about stating my reason for approving of a fully secular curriculum in our school systems and why my fellow Christians should not be alarmed with this move. After all we are called to preach the gospel of Christ and make disciples, this was never the job of the state but the duty of the Christian church.

The reason that religion is so involved in our educational system is because the churches started the first schools, even offered free education to the slaves (to the dismay of the white planter class) as soon as they were freed. When studied in light of scripture a lot of these churches were actually not Christian, such as the Catholic Church, the Anglican church etc, but apparently once you say the name of Jesus people automatically classify you as Christian. No, Catholicism is not the mother of Christianity, Bible-believing Christians believe it to be the Whore of Babylon, it commanded the death of true Christians and other horrendous acts. Since Anglicanism is Catholicism’s slightly rebellious twin sister that its parents allowed the privilege of divorce, I do not approve of Anglicanism either. Even the churches that Barbados clings so dearly to fail the test of the holy scriptures. How can a society align itself with religions and concepts it is ignorant of just because of a few prayers at a morning assembly and some inspirational messages dressed up with a smear of “Christianity”. Religious education does not make one Christian nor does it make one an expert in Christian theology, granting one the capability to teach about Jehovah and the Christ.

Religion in schools is dead. And those Christians who claim this will create a less moral society do err because the purpose of Christianity is not to create a moral society, but to quicken unregenerate individuals who are dead in trespasses and sins. Good works and commandment keeping are a wretch to the unregenerate soul. They act as painkillers, deceiving the user to think they are getting better when in fact they are still sick, still dead in trespasses and sin. They make the user appear healthy while their insides are still plagued. Only being born again brings true healing to the soul, rather than trying to treat the outward signs of a sinful wicked heart, upon accepting the gospel of Christ, God gives the Christian a new heart, a new nature that hates sin and desires to do that which is pleasing to God.  Romans 8:1-14

Compare our society to that of America, where the curriculum is secular, there are no assemblies or prayers in  most schools and evolution is taught. You might argue that America is more depraved due to these factors but both societies are unregenerate, Barbados just uses religion and good works as a painkiller. We are like unto Pharisees, allowing our self-righteousness to fool us that we are at right standing with God. Therefore the removal of religion does not make a difference. Jehovah God is a holy, righteous God. He demands sinless perfection from us but we all have broken his laws, our sins separate us from our Creator and therefore we cannot be righteous in his eyes by our own works, that is why the vicarious atonement of Christ is vital to  salvation.  The gospel of Christ is good news. Christians cannot depend on the world to teach that which the scriptures speak of it hating. We have to share the truth of God’s word ourselves.We have to teach the righteousness and live lives that proclaim the glory of Christ. Love out neighbours as we love ourselves. Get drawn into God’s word and follow his will.

No more watered down wannabe sermons in our school auditoriums.