After reading some of the ideals of the promoters of ERA I noticed a great resemblance in their philosophy and the philosophy of those who were idolaters in Athens (Acts 17). The Athenians were totally materialistically and humanistically minded. They did not believe in Jehovah. Thus, as Paul accused the Jews, they "worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator" (Rom. 1:25). Paul declared the occurrences of this philosophy as the times of "ignorance" (Acts 17:30).

I now quote some of the atheistic consents of Betty Friedan, an ERA promoter.

We find insufficient evidence for belief in the existence of a supernatural, it is either meaningless or irrelevant to the question of the survival and fulfillment of the human race. As nontheists, we begin with humans not God, nature not deity (Humanist Manifestos, I and II, page 16).

Just as the Athenians, the ERA promoters will never find progress in atheism. In fact, I wonder how quickly digression will take place. With a society ignoring their Creator and His precepts can you imagine what the consequences would be? The husband would cease to be the head of the home (if homes are still in existence), sexual fidelity would be unheard of, children would suffer the environment of illegitimate births and broken homes, and, with such a sinful society, the world would soon become a very dangerous place in which to live.

ERA promotes progress but yet they deny the only way in which man has had progression. The atheistic promoters claim, "Too often traditional faiths encourage dependence rather than independence, obedience rather than affirmation, fear rather than courage" (Humanist Manifestos, I and II, page 16). There has never been a totally independent man since the creation of the earth. When has man ever been able to live in a society where there were no moral laws? A Christian has fear, but he also has courage. Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13). It is the neglect of having genuine dependence, obedience and fear which besets society, not the presence of them.

The ERA movement is headed directly for "times of ignorance." In a relatively short time this nation could forget God just as the children of Israel did (Judges 3:7). More and more we need to preach the same truth Paul proclaimed. "The times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent" (Acts 17:30).

Truth Magazine XXIV: 32, p. 525
August 14, 1980