A Christian Counter Revolution | by John Rushemeza – April 7, 2025
Progressivism Secular humanism vs. Traditional Christian Values
Let’s talk about classroom culture wars. The term “culture wars” should be self-explanatory, but in today’s climate, it is crucial to define terms to ensure clarity. The culture war in America is fundamentally a war of worldviews—a battle between traditionally held values and beliefs, rooted in America’s Christian heritage, and the progressive ideologies that have emerged in recent decades.
America’s traditional values stem largely from a Christian influence. Though the United States was not officially founded as a “Christian nation” in the sense of having an established state religion, Christianity was the cultural foundation. The Founding Fathers intentionally avoided enshrining a state religion, unlike England, where Anglicanism is the official church. In America, the founders decided, “We’ve had enough of that. Let’s create a country where everyone—regardless of denomination—is free to pursue their faith.”
Despite this, America was unmistakably a Christian society. It was a religious nation, with Christianity as the dominant belief system. Even today, research shows that over 65% of Americans consider themselves Christians. However, many of these individuals are what we might call “cultural Christians” rather than devout believers. In truth, the number of truly committed Christians—those who live consistently by their faith—is much smaller. Nevertheless, the culture remains steeped in Christian influence.
This phenomenon is not unique to America. In England, for example, prominent atheists like Richard Dawkins have referred to themselves as “cultural Christians,” acknowledging the pervasive influence of Christian culture even if they do not personally believe.
However, America is no longer as devout as it once was. Increasingly, the population is becoming pagan, syncretistic, and secular humanist. The cultural war, then, is a conflict between those Americans who still hold to traditional Christian beliefs (or at least traditional American values) and progressives who seek to redefine society.
Traditional Americans—including cultural Christians—believe in the nuclear family, that life begins at conception, that marriage is between one man and one woman, and that there are only two genders. These are core values they hold, even if they are not deeply religious or born-again Christians. These individuals are often labeled as conservatives or traditionalists.
On the other hand, progressives and far-left liberals embrace an entirely different worldview. Many of them subscribe to critical theory, which teaches that America is fundamentally a white supremacist experiment that must be dismantled and undermined at every turn. They argue that traditional beliefs—such as the idea that there are only two genders or that men and women have different roles in society—are oppressive. They also reject the notion that homosexuality is unnatural or morally wrong, especially when it comes to exposing such ideas to children.
Progressives tend to advocate for big government and wealth redistribution, believing that humans must take charge and correct societal injustices through their own efforts. Their worldview is not only at odds with traditional Christian values but is actively antagonistic toward them.
This clash of worldviews is being fought in many areas of life, but nowhere is it more apparent than in the classroom. Parents who hold traditional values hope their children will go to school to learn basic facts, such as “one plus one equals two.” Yet, in many classrooms, teachers are being encouraged to see themselves as agents of change. They are tasked with indoctrinating students into progressive ideologies, ensuring that when these children grow up, they will not hold to their parents’ beliefs but will instead side with the progressive agenda.
The real casualties in this war are the children. They are caught in the middle, unsure of what to believe. The progressive worldview is attractive because it is inclusive, accepting, and easy. It does not ask much of them. It is fun, appealing, and seemingly loving.
In contrast, Christian children are being asked to live according to their faith, which often requires self-discipline and sacrifice. They are told to control their urges and abstain from certain behaviors that their peers are freely engaging in. Their friends at school seem more progressive, more advanced, and more understanding. Progressivism is presented as more loving and inclusive, making it even more difficult for Christian children to stand firm.
This is how the culture war plays out in the classroom. And here is the deeper problem: the institutions that control the educational system—teachers’ unions, colleges of education, and related entities—are openly and aggressively anti-Christ, anti-God, and anti-Bible. Yet, despite this, many Christian parents still send their children into these environments. This is what makes no sense to those of us sounding the alarm.
It is clear that the classroom has become a battleground in the broader war of worldviews. The question is: How will Christians respond? Will they continue to send their children into an educational system that seeks to erode their values, or will they take bold steps to reclaim their influence? The growing homeschooling movement and the rise of Christian schools suggest that many are waking up to this reality. However, much work remains. The fight for the hearts and minds of the next generation is not over, and those who value traditional beliefs must remain vigilant, engaged, and proactive. If Christians and conservatives fail to act, progressivism will continue to reshape the nation, one classroom at a time. As Abraham Lincoln wisely stated, “The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.”
The time for passive observation has passed—this is the moment to stand firm, educate wisely, and prepare future generations to uphold the values that have long defined America. Reclaiming a distinctly and unapologetically Christian philosophy of education is essential in this effort. The responsibility for this task does not rest solely on parents but also on local church leadership. As outlined in Ephesians 4:11-16, the church must equip the saints for the work of ministry, including guiding and strengthening believers in their approach to education. The church must rise to this challenge, ensuring that the next generation is prepared to defend and live out their faith in a world increasingly hostile to biblical truth.