Children with NO MORAL VALUES kill
people.
There are many factors in the increase in
crimes committed by students beyond what our
learned liberal social scientists understand. Listen to the pundits on TV and
other media and you'll quickly discover they haven't got a clue. Or perhaps,
they do but since it doesn't fit their collectivist agenda, they choose to
ignore them. They all simply refuse to address the real problems for fear of
offending someone, losing grant money, or losing advertising revenues.
Let me suggest some rather unpopular and politically incorrect reasons
for the rise of violence among the youth and who shares in the responsibility.
Family
Breakdown
The breakdown of two-parent families is more than obvious.
Just 40 years ago families usually lived close to grandparents. Fathers were
responsible for the welfare of the family. Moms generally stayed home. It was
safe to walk to school or go to the movies unattended.
Today,
statistics show divorce is at an all time
high in the United States. It is now so common for young people to grow up in
divorced households that the term "broken family" is now a forgotten expression
in the popular culture. Fathers are living apart from their natural children.
Mothers no longer stay at home, but work as a head of the household. As a
result, women in our society have lost their feminine identity and the moral
authority of fathers is undermined by a society that no longer embraces the
structure of the family.
In a recent study released by Metropolitan
Life and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Center for Workforce Preparation,
students were asked why they do not talk about their problems in school or
about disagreements with other students. "Those who have been victims of
violence are more likely to believe their parents cannot help (29 percent),
that adults do not understand their problems (47 percent), that they will get
into trouble (22 percent) and that their parents are not interested or are too
busy to help them (17 percent)." (cited in Dr. Billy James
Hargis, "Why are U.S. schools wracked with gunfire?," Christian Crusade, June
1998).
The
Environment
The environment in which children are being raised has
changed dramatically in recent years, creating new anxieties for mothers and
fathers. Unspeakable dangers haunt our schools and streets that were almost
unheard of a generation ago. Yesterday's families didn't worry much about
drive-by shootings, illegal drugs, sexual molesters and kidnappers. When I was
a child, my folks were more concerned about a disease called polio than all
sources of violence combined. In my adolescent years I moved about freely and
played without worry. If I was a half-hour late coming home for dinner, my
family was not seized by panic. Now we worry about our kids playing in the
front yard. Indeed, little Polly Klaas was abducted from her bedroom in 1993,
where she was surrounded by friends, and then was brutally murdered for the
perverse pleasure of her killer.
For years, one of the Liberals favorite
reasons for violence was the environment children are raised in. They liked to
say that it was poverty that drives these kids to violence. They are now having
to back away from that a little as the violence spreads into middle class
suburbia. The 15-year-old student in Springfield, Oregon who shot his parents
and gunned down his fellow students was from a good family, on the right side
of town. The high-school freshman lived in a big, beautiful house. He hung out
with the preppies at school and played football. He was just an average,
everyday kid. The High School senior involved in the shooting in Fayetteville
Tennessee was among the top 25 students in the 307-member senior class.
It is becoming increasingly clear that Liberals are missing the bigger picture
- they ignore the personal responsibility of each and every one of us.
It's a lack of parental supervision at home, a lack of family
involvement in school, and homes where children get NO religious training. It's
the isolation, rejection, and loneliness these kids feel in their broken and
dysfunctional families. These kids have lost that family "connectedness" of
feeling loved, wanted and cared about by parents and being satisfied with the
relationship to the mother and/or father. Many kids are doomed to go through
life not knowing God and that He loves them and is there for them and that He
can help them in time of need.
Yes, the often-violent cultural
environment we live in is a contributing factor in the violence. It's an
environment where parents are replaced with guidance counselors, love is
replaced with distrust and hate, personal responsibility is replaced with
socialist government programs, truth is replaced with relativism, sacrifice is
replaced with selfishness, and God is replaced with chaos and evil.
Moral
Relativity
We have abandoned the traditional notion of right and
wrong and personal responsibility. These children have been raised in the
liberal politically correct philosophies of "tolerance" and "there is no one
right way" of doing things. So, given their supposition that there is more than
one right way to deal with a relationship gone bad, why not shoot her? Hey, we
need to tolerate these kids differences, right?
For 20 years or more,
relative truth - what's good for you - has been taught, rather than biblically
based absolute truth. We have indulged a generation: 'You have a right to your
feelings,' instead of the biblical idea that you need to have self-control.
Hypocrisy
We tell these
kids that Joe Camel is bad for them but glamorize and condone alcohol. Teachers
send children to their alcoholic homes where they are abused by a drunk parent
and then respond by calling Juvenile authorities who take them out of the home
and place them in foster care. These hypocritical messages are received by the
kids who learn they are only pawns meant to be played by some liberal political
cause.
Then confront them with their detestable practices, for they have committed adultery and blood is on their hands. They committed adultery with their idols; they even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to me as food for them. [Ezekiel 23:36-37]
We tell them that drugs will harm them. Yet, at home their medicine cabinet is full of all sorts of drugs: drugs for headaches, allergies, asthma, heartburn, nasal congestion, impotence, or hair loss. Worse yet, we give our kids Prozac or other drugs to control their behavior, but tell them that pleasurable drugs like marijuana is bad for them. Hardly a consistent message.
Public Government
Schools
It should be no surprise of the escalation of violence in
our public government run schools. It is within the walls of those schools
where our children are taught to reject God, to embrace
moral relativity, and to
disrespect life.
God has been banned from our schools. Prayer is
outlawed. Christian expression is stifled and mocked. The very foundation upon
which our laws are based and upon which morality is judged - "The Ten
Commandments" has been removed. “Thou Shalt Not Kill” is a principle
not deemed important in our schools.
Public education has rather taken
up the mantle of the likes of John Dewey and his ilk teaching the religion of
Secular Humanism. It should be no
surprise our kids act the way they do... they're only doing what they've been
taught. We are teaching in our children in schools across the nation that they
evolved from reptiles and animals. Why should we be surprised when they act
like animals?
Our schools are teaching our youngsters that premarital
sex is alright if they only practice "safe sex" and protect themselves
from disease. If a young girl happens to get pregnant from this enlightened
view of sex, no problem ... the Planned Parenthood trained school counselor
just sends them to a local abortionist to kill the baby. Today, the popular
culture views abortion as a "right." And, what's the bottom line lesson?
Life is cheap! When we, as a society, can condone the killing of 1.4 million
babies a year, what message can we be giving besides, "life is cheap." When
women are given the power to decide if a helpless baby in their womb is going
to die, then don't be so surprised when they think that a baby is subject to
their will, and kill it five seconds after it's born and throw it in a
dumpster, or five years after it’s born. The principle of violence is the
same.
TV Anchor Hugh Downs introduced a 1991 ABC News segment: "Your
child could be in a class that only a few years ago might have been
unthinkable- death education. These classes are supposed to prepare
young people for coping with death and while most schools make it part of a
health class, some actually make it an entire course." Tom Jarriel went on to
report how Tara Becker, a junior at Columbine High in Littleton, Colorado
believed she was seduced into a suicide attempt by her Death Ed class. Becker
told the news magazine: "I had thought about [suicide] as a possible option for
a lot of years, but I never would have gone through with it, never, because I
wasn't brave enough. The things that we learned in the class taught us how to
be brave enough to face death." [Drudge Report, April 24,
1999]
Steadily, society's undermining of life is growing to
include calls for legalizing euthanasia, assisted suicide, and scientific
experimentation. Is it any wonder these kids don't have respect for life? We
are, in fact, teaching them to disrespect life.
Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. [Matthew 24:9-14]
Corrupt
Government
A government that lives off of society's moral decay is
another reason for the out of control violence we are beginning to see.
The Roman civilization crumbled under the weight of an immoral and
corrupt government. Over the years, our government has devised the creation of
whole agencies that exist for no other reason than to manage some of the most
immoral aspects of the culture. The National Endowment for the Arts and the
Legal Services Corporation are examples of agencies that foster society's
decline.
Within the judicial branch of government, judges accountable
to no one have helped undermine the religious freedoms that were once the
centerpiece of our society. Laws once protected children and families.
Criminals were punished severely for rape. People were arrested for
cohabitation and adultery. Sodomy, outlawed in every state, was listed in the
newspaper as a "crime against nature." A couple having a child out of wedlock
was ostracized, and homosexuality was as foreign to the world as walking on the
moon.
Rejection of God
The primary reason for our lust for violence is that our society no
longer worships or acknowledges God.
Christianity had played a
significant role in providing a standard in judging education, legislation, and
behavior-both public and private, yet today, it has actually become unpopular
to advocate traditional Judeo-Christian values, such as the Ten Commandments.
Thanks to Political Correctness, the popular culture ridicules those who
worship God as the sovereign creator. Instead, it is popular to put our faith
and trust in ourselves or in other creations of God.
Hosea describes
the terrible harvest reaped by those who reject God and turn to themselves
(Hosea 9 & 10).
"They have sunk deep into corruption," (9:9) "all their leaders are rebellious," (9:15) and "because they have not obeyed him." (9:17).
God said their wickedness was in turning away from his counsel,
ignoring his word and obeying man instead.
What was the result of this
sin?
- Total emptiness. "Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself" (Hos. 10:1) Everyone was looking out for himself - and the result was total emptiness.
- The heart is divided. "Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images." (Hos. 10:2) Our nation's heart is divided. Our society no longer trusts God, turning instead to the government, the President, the educational system, Social Security - all to try to find some kind of stability. Americans pay lip service to God and religion, but they don't worship the Lord in truth. And that has led directly to the breakdown of all our hallowed institutions. Verse 8 says, "The high places of wickedness will be destroyed." Do we not see our government being destroyed by corruption and scandal? Our most hallowed office, the Presidency, is mocked and laughed at by the nations of the world because of the wickedness we've allowed to creep in. The once great educational system in America no longer educates our children. And, not far from the lips of nearly all politicians is the vain cry to "save Social Security."
- Lawsuits abound. "They make many promises, take false oaths and make agreements; therefore lawsuits spring up like poisonous weeds in a plowed field." (Hos. 10:4). Throughout our nation today people are suing others for everything. The price of all our products have skyrocketed because of the cost of litigation and insurance to protect companies from bankruptcy.
- War overtakes them. "nations will be gathered against them to put them in bonds for their double sin." (Hos. 10:10) America has been for years and is now embroiled in wars and conflicts all over the globe. And on Sept. 11th, the enemies of this country brought the battle to our land.
- A toilsome yoke. "Ephraim is a trained heifer that loves to thresh; so I will put a yoke on her fair neck." (Hos. 10:11). Because America has rejected God, it's people will work harder and reap less. Today in America many families have been devastated as both parents have to work sometimes multiple jobs just to make ends meet.
Darrell Scott, the father of two victims at Columbine High School, addressed the Subcommittee on Crime of the House Judiciary Committee May 27, 1999, saying:
"Since the dawn
of creation there has been both good and evil in the heart of men and women. We
all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence.
"The death
of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic
teacher and the other 11 children who died must not be in vain. Their blood
cries out for answers.
"The first recorded act of violence was when
Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he
used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer
was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.
"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how
quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA.
"I am
not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not
here to represent or defend the NRA -- because I don't believe that they are
responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need
to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I
would be their strongest opponent.
"I am here today to declare that
Columbine was not just a tragedy -- it was a spiritual event that should be
forcing us to look at where the real blame lies!
"Much of that blame
lies here in this room. Much of that blame lies behind the pointing fingers of
the accusers themselves.
"I wrote a poem just 4 nights ago that
expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be
speaking here today:
"Your laws ignore our deepest needs
Your words are empty air
You've stripped away our heritage
You've outlawed simple prayer"Now gunshots fill our classrooms
And precious children die
You seek for answers everywhere
And ask the question 'Why'?"You regulate restrictive laws
Through legislative creed
And yet you fail to understand
That God is what we need!
"Men and women
are three-part beings. We all consist of body, soul, and spirit. When we refuse
to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil,
prejudice and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc.
"Spiritual influences
were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history.
Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a
historical fact.
"What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused
to honor God, and in doing so, we open the doors to hatred and violence.
"And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs --
politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately
seek to pass more restrictive laws that continue to erode away our personal and
private liberties.
"We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and
Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can
stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre.
"The
real villain lies within our own hearts.
"Political posturing and
restrictive legislation are not the answers.
"The young people of our
nation hold the key.
"There is a spiritual awakening taking place that
will not be squelched!
"We do not need more religion. We do not need
more gaudy television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage. We do
not need more million dollar church buildings built while people without basic
needs are being ignored.
"We do need a change of heart and a humble
acknowledgment that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in
God!
"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and
saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes -- He did not hesitate to
pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right!
"I
challenge every young person in America and around the world to realize that on
April 20, 1999 at Columbine High School -- prayer was brought back to our
schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain.
"Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for
legislation that violates your conscience and denies your God-given right to
communicate with Him.
"To those of you who would point your finger at
the NRA -- I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart
before you cast the first stone!
"My daughter's death will not be in
vain. The young people of this country will not allow that to happen."
Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors, the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be devastated. [Hosea 10:12-14]
Unless we return to trusting God, this great nation will be destroyed, "all our fortresses will be devastated". We must stop this madness of looking to our own goodness and wisdom for the answers - we will only come up empty and the blood of those lost will be on our hands.
President Clinton and Al Gore promised Americans a brighter future
at the other end of his bridge to the 21st Century. But folks, their bridge
does not lead to a bright future... it leads to death and destruction! It's a
bridge where God is not invited to cross.
Many voices in our society
today accuse Christians of believing they have God on their side. They really
miss the point. It's not an issue of whose side God is on, but on whose side
we are on - are you on God's side or on man's side?
... if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
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The following article was submitted to the Op-Ed of the Orange Co. (CA) Register MIND GAMES AND
BLURRED REALITY
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Mid-afternoon, Tuesday, March 24. A fire alarm
sounds. Teachers and students evacuate the school as had been practiced.
Pop-pop-pop. Gunfire rings out. Children and teachers drop to the ground.
Impressed, the audience cheers. Until they realize that it wasn't a
dramatization. A few students had just applauded the death of their friends and
a teacher!
