March 5, 2007
By Jeremy Kiner

 

It doesn’t matter what political party you are for, you know that America is in a moral crisis.  In fact, according to a Gallup poll, 82 percent of Republicans and 78 percent of Democrats believe that moral values in America are fair or poor.  And if we were to flash back to 40 years ago, only 33 percent of Americans felt that way.  Just watch practically any mainstream television show today, look at the magazine stand, or visit your local mall and I’m sure you’ll see what I mean.  There is a cultural dilemma in America.   

 

Years ago, when I worked at an outpatient surgical facility, for some of our more basic procedures it was not always necessary to fully sedate the patient.  Instead, the nurses would orchestrate a medley of drugs that caused the patient to slip into a conscious sedation.  In other words, the patient’s brain was numbed to a twilight state, right to the very edge of coherence, but not quite far enough for them to lose all consciousness.   

 

I can’t help but wonder if this very thing has happened to America.  In a culture where perversion, promiscuity, and free sex are exploited and glamorized, is it possible that we have become anesthetized to the brutal realities of a degenerating society?  Is America consciously sedated, unaware of the moral and spiritual demise of this country? 

 

For Instance . . .

Fifty years ago, it was a moral quandary just dealing with the issue of having Lucille Ball, from the I Love Lucy show, appear pregnant on national television. Now, we’re dealing with much greater issues.  Alternative lifestyles, which are unnatural and unsuitable for any human, are not only being accepted and tolerated these days, they are actually being promoted and encouraged.  Recently, Wal-Mart was added to the list of companies, along with Ford, that support the ever-popular gay agenda. (Click here to read about Wal-Mart and here for Ford.)  Even more shockingly, in a spin-off of the children’s cartoon, Arthur--the family-friendly, “it’s safe for my child” cartoon show--they actually featured a lesbian couple in one of their episodes.  Needless to say, following this last Election Day, I was troubled, but not surprised, by the news that a few more states legalized the civil union of gay couples. 

 

My stomach churns each time I peer into the microscope of our society and witness the downward spiral of what is fast becoming, and perhaps already is, a decadent, hedonistic civilization.  At this point, it’s hard to argue that we are not already dealing with a culture that knows no boundary to its rationalization of what is right and wrong.  Undoubtedly, we have turned into what some would call a self-gratifying, pill-popping, loosey-goosey, just-do-what-ever-feels-good society.  Nowadays, if you just think it’s right and believe it hard enough, then it must be good enough.  But then again, nothing is really right, right? 

 

We’ve become so diplomatic these days that we’ll even swear in one of our congressmen using the Koran, regardless of the fact that this country and our Constitution was supposedly founded on biblical principles and beliefs.  Even our military chaplains are now being intimidated and scorned for saying “in Jesus name” in their prayers.   Child psychologists now inform young teenagers who are coping with the divorce of their parents that it is unhealthy to remain a virgin, as it is a sign that they are restraining their emotions.

 

Yet, There’s Hope

What shall we do then?  Peter proclaimed, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8).   As Christians, we must be vigilant, prayerful, and determined in these last days.  We must not become delusional or unrestrained to our impulsive nature. 

 

We must prioritize the protecting of our families and our homes from the deceptive influences of secularity and popular culture.  We cannot just meander through the muck of our society consciously sedated.  We must work diligently to resuscitate that strong moral compass within our inner man, our families, and our churches.   

 

Bill O’Reilly, FOX News commentator, declared on his show that morality in America is rapidly declining.  Yet, he continued, the real problem is that there is no mass outcry about it.   Let not this be the case for the Church.  We cannot lack the imperative outrage toward the deluge of attacks against biblical morality and family values in this country.  The enemy of our souls moves about so discreetly, like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but we must not be fooled.  His intent is to disrupt and utterly destroy what God is trying to build and strengthen: the body of Christ.   

 

Can we reclaim morality in this country?  Probably not entirely.  We can reclaim a boundary in which Satan cannot move any further into our lives, our families, or our church.

 

ninetyandnine.com

 

© 2007, Jeremy Kiner

 

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Jeremy Kiner serves in a number of capacities at The Branch Community Church in Parma, Ohio, as well as Communication Coordinator for the largest real estate Multiple Listing Service in Ohio.  He currently attends Ohio University and is drawing ever-so-close to completing his Bachelor’s degree in Communications.  Aside from other things, his favorite hobby is spending time with his beautiful wife, Dona, and brand new baby boy, Dalyn.