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ITS NOW OR NEVER
By Dr. Sterling Lands, II
Post-modern American culture in the United States is a blend of
materialism, relative morality seen through a kaleidoscope of world views,
and self indulgence. The standard of living in America supports the
privileged in America. The privileged are enabled to:
1. pursue diversified opportunities for economic growth,
2. access world-class health care that prolongs life expectancy,
3. access world-class education opportunities for a better tomorrow, and
4. enhance personal lifestyles by using new waves of technology innovation.
Why is it, then, that a culture imbued with such treasure and promise also
exhibits the characteristics of a society on the brink of disaster?
The escalation of teenage pregnancies, sophisticated whoredom,
homosexuality, sexually transmitted disease, mental illness and
homicides/suicides, and the high risks associated with single parent
families leave many of today’s youth with questionable futures. Finally,
compounding these challenges, there appears to be no system for youth to
learn to cope with the perils of attempting to succeed in an amoral
normative society. Our youth are exposed to the full impact of materialism,
racism, and illicit sex during adolescence, the formative years, reducing
the possibility of their becoming winners as adults.
How many youth do you know that are disenchanted with school, alienated from
their parents, and disenfranchised from legitimate opportunities to gain
meaningful employment or develop enterprise? How many youth do you know that
appear to be misguided in their values and show little commitment to the
community? Are you concerned about the increasing number of young adults who
pamper their egos through self adulation, narcissism, hedonism, and values
supposedly void of any moral or ethical references?
These conditions should be sufficient evidence that at the foundational
level of our culture something is broken. There is a an irreparable conflict
between world views, which are competing for the hearts and minds of our
future leaders.
Commercial television, film, and music industries bombard their audiences
with the perspective that frequent experiences of sensual pleasure, seeking
adrenaline rushes, and the accumulation of material wealth is the measure of
success in our society. This stridently secular humanist definition of
success stands in sharp contrast to a biblical perspective which articulates
the positive consequences of one’s pursuit of high moral character.
Some argue that our culture has strayed from strong biblical values that
initially permeated our government, educational systems, and the public
square and that we need to return to the roots of a Judeo-Christian society.
That is crazy since slavery and racial discrimination coexisted with a
Judeo-Christian ethic during most of America’s history.
The challenge is to move forward not back. The goal must be to impact the
hearts, engage the minds and develop the character and conscience of
children in such a manner that they become people of high moral character
choosing to do the right thing in the right way for the right reason,
expecting the right results to benefit others and glorify God, according to
God’s Word.
Moral and character education (the training of spirit and mind toward good)
involves many things. "It involves rules and precepts the do's and don’ts of
life with others as well as explicit instruction, exhortation, and training.
Moral and character education provides training in good habits. Aristotle
wrote that good habits formed at youth make all the difference. And moral
and character education must affirm the central importance of example.
In teaching character, morals and ethics, one thing needs to be made central
and prominent: right and wrong do exist. Morality is not relative and
everything is not up for grabs. Its now or never. |
