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 | The FreeDictionary: The term means:
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| LaborLawTalk: "The term denotes a comprehensive set of opinions, seen as an organic unity...At all times, religious and political teachings were bases for forming worldviews; in fact, they were often worldviews themselves. For example, Christianity, Islam, socialism, Marxism, Scientology may be called worldviews; at least they generate clearly identifiable worldviews." 2 | ||||||||||||
| Author Palmer Michael describes
a worldview as consisting of six parts:
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| Professor James Olthuis of the Toronto Institute for Christian Studies has written: "A worldview (or vision of life) is a framework or set of fundamental beliefs through which we view the world and our calling and future in it. The vision may be so internalized that it goes largely unquestioned; it may be greatly refined through cultural-historical development; it may not be explicitly developed into a systematic conception of life; it may not be theoretically deepened into a philosophy; it may not even be codified into creedal form. Nevertheless, this vision is a channel for the ultimate beliefs which give direction and meaning to life. 4 |
Problems with worldviews:
People tend to adopt a worldview early in life, and often do not change it radically in adulthood. They often reject new understandings and discoveries in the fields of religion, culture, science, etc. out of hand because they are incompatible with their personal worldview.
As James Olthuis writes, A person's worldview is often "largely unquestioned." To author James Sire, a worldview consists of: "...a set of presuppositions (assumptions which may be true, partially true or entirely false) which we hold (consciously or subconsciously, consistently or inconsistently) about the basic make-up of our world." 5
If one lacks understanding of their own worldview and/or is not aware of the diversity of worldviews within the culture, one is often mystified by the beliefs of others. This can lead to demonization of others, as is often seen between pro-choice and pro-life supporters. It can also lead to people having difficulty in converting others to their point of view.
Hopefully, those people who become aware of the existence and content of their personal worldview will be able to alter it to accommodate changes in the culture. When adults who are now retired were entering their teens, racial segregation was a way of life; abortions were criminal acts in many states; homosexual behavior was outlawed and widely considered a mental illness; inter-racial marriage was outlawed in many states, and same-sex marriage was inconceivable. If this rate of social change continues into the future, today's youth will have difficulty coping. Teens who are aware of their own worldview may be able to better accommodate change. Unfortunately, the diversity of worldviews and religions in the national culture is not often included in school curricula.
References used:
- "Worldview," TheFreeDictionary, at: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/
- "Worldview," LaborLawTalk.com, at: http://encyclopedia.laborlawtalk.com/
Michael Palmer, "Elements of a Christian Worldview," Logion Press, (1998)
Read reviews or order this book Pages 28 - 30.- R. Wesley Hurd, "Me and My Worldview," McKenzie Study Center, at: http://www.mckenziestudycenter.org/
James Sire, "The Universe Next Door: A basic worldview catalog"
Intervarsity Press, (3rd edition, 1997). He discusses, from a conservative Christian viewpoint, such worldviews as theism, deism, naturalism, nihilism,
Marxism, postmodernism and the New Age.
Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store
Copyright © 2005 by Ontario Consultants on Religious
Tolerance
Originally posted: 2005-JUN-02
Latest update: 2005-JUN-03
Author: B.A. Robinson
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