Mind Siege: The Battle for the Truth (Leadership Guide)

Modern secularism, which arose out of 19th century utopian, naturalistic theories, has largely undermined the kind of country our Founders envisioned--morally AND politcally. A moral people do not need much government--they govern themselves. Hence, the limited government established by the Founders. An increasingly immoral populace needs larger government control; "if men are not governed by God, then they must be governed by tyrants" (William Penn). Christians would like to have, at least morally, a return to the vision of the Founders. Then gov't could be scaled back as well. So there IS a direct corollary between the Christian right and limited government conservatism (conservatives who want a return to limited government without a concomitant return to Christian morality are whistling in the dark; it simply can't be done. Limited government demands a moral people, and man has never been able, and never will be able, to agree upon a naturalistic ethic.) But LaHaye's book is not the way to accomplish this return. Frankly, he's probably preaching only to the choir anyway. If you do not believe in Christianity, then don't waste your time with this book; it will not convince you to become one (unless you are of limited intelligence and easily scared out of your wits, and I don't mean to be insulting). On top of that, LaHaye's "Christianity" is not even Biblical. The premillennial views of much of "Christendom," which LaHaye represents, is not what the Bible teaches. Yes, Christians have every right to oppose homosexuality, the abortion of unborn babies, and destructive feminist theories. To label Christians as racist, anti-women, anti-science, "homo haters," etc. is simply left-wing "feel-good-ism," an attempt to gain the moral high ground, which the left can never do, except in its own eyes. They are a walking evidence of the God they despise--they have a conscience and they try to salve it with their politically correct utopianism. The true hatred in this country is from the left, though they certainly don't have a monopoly on it. Conservatives are hated because their view of the nature of man does not allow the left to socially engineer society, through government (or terror and murder in the case of non-representative based secular governments) they way they wish to do. Christianity is hated because of its opposition to immorality, especially the sexual revolution and its consequences. But this isn't surprising. Jesus wasn't crucified because of the love He preached; He was crucified because He demanded men repent of sin. And modern man has no more desire to do that than 1st century man, thus any Christian insisting upon a change of man's ways can expect to be hated just as the Founder of the religion was. LaHaye will be mocked for non-politically correct views; that's to be expected. The "politically correct" shouldn't even be reading the book because it isn't for them. He would do well, however, to make sure his theology is correct for there is the area in which he is truly leading others astray.

One final thought--there is SOME historical basis for the "future vision" LaHaye portrays in this book. The Terror of both the French Revolution and Bolshevism massacred many, many believers in God. Atheism in power has never been kind to religion. To believe that it could never happen in America is naivete of the worst sort because secularism demands the destruction of religion in order to create the utopia IT wants to create--the two visions are simply diametrically antithetical and if secularism must destroy the religious to produce its heaven on earth, then so what? The believers are all going to die some day anyway (as Stalin said of the peasants he murdered by the millions). The left will never be convinced of that, of course, and it's not going to happen in the next 10-15 years, either. But to say it cannot happen in America only betrays an ignorance of history akin to the notion that our Founding Fathers were secular humanists.


Scary for Humanist Because It Reveals what is true!   February 6, 2004
 0 out of 12 found this review helpful

This book tells it like it is. I have grandchildren who are being taught that they were made from "stardust". That God is not a diety and that they need to accept every crack-pot idea that is before them so as not to disrespect anyone. Tim Lahaye, tells us what is actually the truth about what is going on today. Apathy within the peope of this world is the cause of how this world has gone from fairly clean living to accepting trash. The author alerts the reader to the subtle ways of the "humanist" and how they are creeping ever so slowly "but surely" into the lives of every American in the world. To not get involved simply allows humanist to spread their propaganda throughout the world. Acceptance of free sex, lewdness, pornography, gay rights, etc., etc., has brought us to the world we now know and it is out of control. I recommend this book to anyone, Christian or non-Christian who has brains enough to read and realize the enormity of what humanist are doing in this world. It takes guts to face this issue head on!


News to Those Who Should Know Better.   January 13, 2004
 10 out of 16 found this review helpful

I am first and foremost a Christian. I am also an educated adult who has worked in the field of education. I have a variety of experience in the arts and have attempted to keep current on news and world affairs. Therefore, I really wasn't all that impressed by MIND SIEGE. The author's main point of the book is to illustrate to Christians how secular humanists are taking over the world. Now, some may find that assertion far fetched. However, it really isn't and I agree with it.

The problem I had with MIND SIEGE wasn't the message (it's not intended for the unconverted). The problem with MIND SIEGE is that Tim LaHaye's writing really isn't that great and he uses a bunch of sources that are basically the same source. Therefore, though the book has a good message it's tangled up in bad writing and bad research. Had LaHaye done a better job at writing and researching the book, it would have been much better. Still it's a decent book to read for any Christian who really doesn't have a clue what's going on in the world and who maybe wondering how they can influence the culture. For anyone who is at least half-way knowledgeable I recommend reading ROARING LAMBS by Bill Briner or HOW SHOULD WE THEN LIVE by Francis Schafer.