Moral Decline in America
71Down the Slippery Slope We Go
"(People) have very gradually become disturbed over permissiveness, pornography, the public schools, the breakdown of the family and finally abortion. But they have not seen this as a totality---each thing being a part, a symptom of a much larger problem. They have failed t see all come about due to a shift in world view...This shift has been away from a world view that was at least vaguely Christian in people's memory (even if they were not individually Christian) toward something completely different---toward a world view based upon the idea that the final reality is impersonal matter or energy shaped into its present form by impersonal chance.-" Francis A. Schaeffer, A Christian Manifesto (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1993), pp.17-18.
Francis A. Schaeffer's quote on the shifting of world-view puts into concise words my own perceptions. I have spoken with people and written about the slide we have taken down the slippery slope of unethical viewpoints. Though the ‘ride' for some seems inconsequential, those of us who see the handwriting on the wall are increasingly nervous.
What is of most concern to me as an American is that we have a decidedly Christian Heritage and history, yet most Americans have no understanding of it. From the time of Columbus, who initially sought out to reach the new world in the Name of Christ (he was convicted via his ancestor's providential statement on his deathbed), our underpinnings reflect a mission...a Godly mission...for the United States. The Framers of this Country have been depicted merely as brave men, but their upbringing-the thing that gave them their boldness-was a belief in God Almighty. In fact, the majority of them were Seminary trained. Ours is the longest standing Country in the history of the world whose Foundational Documents name the God of the Bible as the Giver of all Freedoms.
All of this points to a need for a moral high road; we have fallen far short of that in the last 60 years of our history. From the time we pulled reference to God from school curriculum* all the way to the present, our journey down the slippery slope paralleled the world's views---from which we should be set apart. It should be no surprise that the wheels were set in motion when we turned from Our God. But He promises that if we humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways that He will hear us and heal our land. It is never too late.
That is why it is so imperative that we reach people to instruct them on what the Puritans believed about this land: we are a Nation set apart to be God's light and mechanism for the Great Commission. The American Church needs to step up to this task. To fail means the possibility of being further absorbed into the world mindset, and eventually to fall. But falling is a much lesser tragedy than to fail, because failure in this arena is really a failure to God. A chilling question is, "Will the United States be the Church at Laodicea?"
*1947 Supreme Court Case Everson v. The Board of Education was a landmark decision made completely in error. The Supreme Court cited the ‘separation of Church and State' by referencing a letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists. In that letter, Jefferson used the metaphor to support the Baptists' right to non-interference from the Government. The 1947 Court misinterpreted it in a reverse fashion...that the State be protected from the Church. They truly overstepped their boundaries, writing new law rather than doing what the Constitution gives them as their mandate: to interpret law.
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Just an update to my earlier comment, in case any body out there read my first comment.
I was "...kicked off..." the fox news facebook discussion board for allegedly speaking out against "...moral degradation ...." and for alleged copyright infringement of "...The Bible...".
Apparently , it is alleged that I "...cut and pasted..." too many Holy Scriptures from the Bible and also that I kept on reminding people that "...GOD BLESSES THOSE THAT BLESS ISRAEL AND CURSES THOSE THAT CURSE ISRAEL....".
The other alleged reason was that I was not "...Errol Smythe..." even though I was born in the Smythe family and was named Errol Smythe and known as Errrol Smythe all my life.
All my posts on my facebook account have allegedly been deleted.
Talk about freedom of speech ?
Well, I forgive them and pray that God will help them.
The deterioration of family values R4
Since World War 2 when women were encouraged to join the work force en mass, to replace the men who went to war and keep the economy and the war effort going.
There has been a deterioration of family values and a breakdown of the family unit, a trend where a mother was not at home to take care of her children, monitor their behavior, help with the homework and discipline when and where necessary.
The advancement in technology has harmed family values. The Media and Television has totally destroyed any comprehension of values in our society.
The lack of discipline and total disregard for authority and respect is clear to anyone who has watched the past 50 years and seen our society’s values deteriorate.
One example alone is that 50 years ago a teacher was happy to go to school to teach, a teacher was respected and looked up-to, a teacher could discipline. Today teachers fear for their lives they are petrified by their students, discipline is restricted both to teachers and parents alike.
This scenario caries on to other social interactions of society today, and the situation is getting worse and worse every year.
You will notice that many families who come from other countries have a very strong family values, tradition, good education, respect and the children excel in their studies. That is because they have not had the chance to be influenced by our overly liberal society.
The education of our children begins at home and continues in school – the parents and the school must take a proactive approach to teach our children values and respect.
In today’s society a teacher is not permitted to discipline a student, the teachers will be sued, not to mention that teachers fears for their safety.
Parents in today’s society are also restricted as to how to discipline their children; in many cases parents are getting sued. In many cases children would never dream of treating their parents with such disrespect 50 years ago. Today some parents are afraid of their own children.
Abuse has been and will be with society to eternity that does not give society the right to prohibit discipline; a few acts of abuse should not cause society to prohibit proper discipline.
When an individual or individuals utilize a vehicle to commit a crime cause the death of others, does society prohibit vehicles altogether, no, a vehicle is very important for our everyday life.
Well, the discipline of our children by parents and teachers is extremely important for our society and the preservation of humanity.
It seems that our society is so busy chasing the dollar, fame and glory, that anything goes all values goes out the window. We should be an example of honesty, integrity and respect to our children.
Are Americans patriotic and proud enough to defend, protect and bring family values back to America? Is America ready to fight for honesty integrity and justice in our society, eliminate corruption and fraud, waste and self serving programs?
Re-invigorate our economy and decrease our dependence on foreign economies and resources.
YJ Draiman, Northridge, CA.
PS
Tell me and I will forget
Show me and I may remember
Involve me and I will understand.
– Chinese Proverb.
We all want health, happiness, prosperity and life
@ Errol Smythe. It's interesting how private businesses seek to be so politically correct that they monitor the mention of God, the Bible, etc. in this, a 'Free Country,' founded upon Judeo-Christian values (as opposed to being a Theocracy.) Every organization, including Countries, are founded upon principles. Ours was upon Natural Law (i.e., those 'unalienable rights' endowed by...WHOM? OUR CREATOR. The irony is thick!
@YJ Draiman. Ditto on all you've said. Regarding the education (indocrination?) of our children in public schools, there seems to be a mass Exodus to either Homeschooling or Private School. Why? The system is imploding. Quality of education: down. Funds: down. Misbehavior: up. Graduates: down. If there's one thing that's been made crystal-clear in the last few years by the skyrocketing inflation and government spending, it's this: if anyone wants something to be run into the ground, simply allow the government to run it. Perhaps that is why the family structure has deteriorated. The government has taken over social formation of our children. It has overtaken parental rights. It is trying to re-define family and marriage via school indoctrination. For most families, the only fighting chance they have is to remove themselves from this influence.
Errol smythe 2 years ago
With your kind permission I have posted your article on Fox Facebook after I googled information on the " slippery slope argument...." . GOD BLESS YOU.
SEE POST 67 ON LINK
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=32007&post