Has America Lost Its "Moral Mind"?
A commentary by Cecil Maranville
United Church of God elder in Glendale, Arizona
One of the most-watched television programs in the United States this
summer was Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. NBC ran the program
on its cable outlet and was surprised by the audience it drew. So, NBC
executives decided to air a re-run on their regular network stations,
which is backwards from the way this usually works. The response again
surprised them, so they aired yet another re-run.
This is one of many family-hour television shows whose programming catapults
over the barrier of what used to be thought of as taboo only a few years
ago. Gay themes were featured prominently in summer programming on cable
and reality channels. In addition to the above, the following series
were gay or had overtly gay themes: Boy Meets Boy, The Amazing
Race, Chained and Big Brother.
I think of the summer of 2003 as the time when America lost its moral
mind.
It was the summer of "the kiss." Madonna, Britney Spears and
Christina Aguilera were performing at the annual MTV (Music Television)
awards. Madonna turned to Britney and they exchanged an open-mouthed
kiss, after which Madonna turned to Christina and they did likewise.
I did not watch the awards program, but was listening to a cable news
show the next morning while preparing breakfast. When the reporter said, "Things
got a little out of hand at the MTV awards last night," I reflexively
looked at the screen. I was sorry I did.
Network news, cable news and entertainment news shows repeated the scene
countless times in the following days—as if the deed was newsworthy,
important and fit for viewing.
Cable launched a new channel in the late summer, "Spike TV." Read
what media consultant John Motavalli wrote about it in "Spike TV:
Pushing the Limit":
"Pushing aside prohibitions on bad taste, sex, naughty language
and general prurience, Spike TV plans to test the limits of what is acceptable
on basic advertiser-supported cable TV in a big way . . .
"This kind of programming—a mix of violence, sex and sophomoric
stunts—is bursting out all over basic cable, which is not regulated
by the Federal Trade Commission and is therefore, theoretically, reined
in only by concerns of cable operators and advertisers" (Television
Week, September 1, online edition).
What has happened to this country, a nation built on Judeo-Christian
values? Subjects that were once taboo and considered inappropriate for
public discussion are now regularly portrayed as normal, healthy behavior.
I have a theory. I believe that some in our society have invented an
imitation morality—and that many people have blindly accepted it.
What do I mean? It boils down to this: A generation of people has grown
up being taught, whether in so many words or by example, that the highest
value of all is tolerance—never condemning anyone for anything.
Make no mistake; tolerance is a godly value—depending on what
is being tolerated. But it doesn't supercede or cancel out all other
values God gives mankind. Tolerance of evil is a serious side-effect
of the current mood of Western civilization.
I realize that many people have a great issue with calling any action "evil" or "sin"—more
evidence they are infected with the idea that tolerance trumps all other
standards.
Sadly, many people who would describe themselves as believers of God
have accepted the theological mush served to them by today's religious
leaders and consequently, they, too, believe there is something wrong
with thinking in terms of moral law—that is, God's law governing
human behavior.
I am intrigued by people who cite Jesus Christ as their authority for
never judging any action as a sin or any person as a sinner. "He did
not judge or condemn anyone," they assert. But they are wrong. For
example, Jesus said to the woman caught in the act of adultery, "Go
and sin no more."
He did not say or intimate: "Oh, adultery is no big deal; everyone
is doing that sort of thing these days. I mean, it's not like you killed
someone or anything as serious as that."
Nor did He attempt to parse wrong behavior with, "Well, it depends
on what your definition of 'adultery' is." Nor did He make a case
based on "consenting adults." And He didn't announce that He
was basing His judgment on community standards.
By speaking of adultery as sin, Jesus acknowledged the existence of
a divine law that has authority over human behavior.
What about you? Where do you stand? Do you have a "moral mind?" Is
your authority Hollywood's standard, community opinion, your own ideas—or
the supreme, beautiful, wise and merciful law of God?
We hope you'll request or download our free booklet The
Ten Commandments to discover how God's law pertains not just to
Christians, but to everyone in all aspects of everyday life. You may
be surprised to learn how relevant every one of these laws is today. |
