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The dangers of postmodernism

Why is postmodernism so dangerous? There are numerous reasons for this extraordinary danger. I will briefly provide four reasons.

Postmodernism has an overarching goal—persuade people that truth does not exist

That is not to imply that postmodernism does not have lesser teaching goals inherent in its worldview, it most certainly does. Nevertheless, the foundational belief which its other claims are built upon is the notion that truth does not exist outside of human ingenuity and this point is the impetus to its teaching platform. How incredible it is to think that America allows postmodernists, whose basic premise states that truth does not exist, to educate its children. Of course, it is not just the children who are taught and trained in this matter, adults are thoroughly persuaded as well. Here are two simple illustrations that prove the point.

I am a fan of audio equipment and audio has been a life long hobby. I often read reviews of audio equipment by professional reviewers who explain the differing aspects of audio equipment. Recently I was reading a review of a vinyl record player (turntable) and was struck that a postmodern reference was made in the review. Notice how the writer subtly expresses his postmodern philosophy and simultaneously denies all human ability to know the truth about God (italics added).

I'm endlessly fascinated with the science behind them [music records]—at least partly because, as with theology and frankfurters, the real essence of the thing I'm trying to know is in fact unknowable. Given the subjectivity we bring to music appreciation and the fact that we can't see what's really going on in the groove during record play, theories and guesswork are all we have to go on in the world of phonography, notwithstanding some tedious and unintentionally funny claims to the contrary.” (Taken from https://www.stereophile.com/turntables/776/index.html/)

Theology and frankfurters? And both are unknowable? Yes, according to postmodernists.

My second example is found in a Bon Jovi song I came across recently. The song has a clearly embedded postmodernist sentence and theme. The title of the song is “Love’s the Only Rule.” Here is the first stanza of the song.

     I don’t give a damn
     how its suppose to be
     That might work for you,
     it don’t work for me,
     You write your truth
     and I’ll write mine

Clearly, the song writer is a postmodernist who includes the postmodern philosophy in his song—truth is only what we make it. Your truth works for you and mine works for me. Of course, truth is not dependent upon the individual person—truth is true regardless of the perspective of persons or groups of people.

These two examples may seem insignificant, but make no mistake about it, America is replete with real and contiuned training and repeated reinforcement of these ideas through the educational system, the television and Hollywood industry, the arts, and even the articles we read about audio equipment.

When truth is removed, something must take its place

Another danger postmodernism poses relates to replacement of truth. When truth is removed from a person’s thinking, something must fill the void left behind. Just as we witnessed in 2021 the withdrawal of United States forces from Afghanistan and the Taliban rushed in to fill the void, so it is when a person determines that truth does not exist. In the absence of truth, a person becomes wholly susceptible to some other belief in reality. When postmodernism is embraced and the postmodernist source of authority says no truth exists, then something must fill the void.

When truth is rejected, meaning is fleeting

As I mentioned, when truth is replaced by an alternative, the anchor and meaning in which humans were designed to posses, is extinguished. Purpose in life and meaning to life has no foundation on which to steer one’s own life. The person is then driven by the winds in their sail that blows where it may.

Consider taking the time to read these statements carefully. These quotes are made by people who have concluded that truth does not exist—at least as far as I am able to decipher by their own words. This is the direct result of the rejection of truth—absolute truth.

     “Now the answer... is plain, but it is so unpalatable that most men will not face it. There is no reason for life and life has no meaning.”--W. Somerset Maugham

     “Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer.”--Joseph Campbell

     “The fact that life has no meaning is a reason to live—moreover, the only one.”--Emile M. Cioran

     “Life has to be given a meaning because of the obvious fact that it has no meaning.”--Henry Miller

     “But people will do anything rather than admit that their lives have no meaning. No use, that is. No plot.”--Margaret Atwood

     “I think the real reason is that life has no meaning. I mean, no obvious meaning. You wake up, you go to work, you do stuff. I think everybody's always looking for something a little unusual that can preoccupy them and help pass the time.”--Susan Orlean

     “The meaning of life consists in the fact that it makes no sense to say that life has no meaning.”--Niels Bohr

The loss of meaning to life has spread across the thinking of many people. Is it not the result, at least in part, to postmodern's influence on societal thinking that truth is unknowable?

Postmodernism opposes the Bible and the God of the Bible

Finally, the Bible unashamedly proclaims that truth exists and that truth is knowable. Postmodernism on the other hand opposes the biblical proclamation by unblushing rejection of any claims to truth, including the biblical claims to truth. As a result, postmodernism stands in direct opposition to the Bible. While naturalism stands opposed to the truth and reality regarding a creator, choosing rather to elevate the universe and nature to the position of creator and sustainer of all that exists, so postmodernism attempts to quash truth from the declaration of the Bible in order than humanity can establish its own. Postmodernism cites humanity as the arbitrator of truth and the sole authority for determining and establishing truth.

If postmodernism presents such dangers to society, why are people attracted to postmoderism? A good question that needs to be answered.