Does anyone think about the inconsistencies in thought and morality that plague our country now? I doubt it. America is in the midst of an intellectual drought, and rain is far away.
Here are some examples that have come to mind during my cross-country trip.
We weep over the plight of animals who need to be adopted. We are riveted by trapped whales and dolphins. The DDT ban resulted in untold millions of Malaria deaths. We shrug. ‘Well, at least the birds eggs are healthy!’
We were shocked to learn that a family in the Northeast used the names of famous Nazis for their children. We are, rightly, disgusted by the atrocities of Nazi Germany. And yet, the excesses and horrors of Communism/Socialism were far greater. So what do we do? We hike merrily down the socialist path, with intellectuals saying, ‘communism is really a good idea, we just need to do it better!’ What if someone said, ‘The Nazis had it right; they were just inefficient. Let’s try it again, shall we?’ No way. Fascism bad, Communism good. Americans, beware. ‘The past is prologue.’
Our children are burdened, day in and day out, with the idea that they are hurting ‘the planet.’ That they are burdens upon ‘the planet.’ But what is ‘the planet?’ Is it sentient? Does it feel? And if we are here, don’t we belong on earth after all? Are we accidents? Wouldn’t even Darwin say we belong?
Are we, by the way, Darwinists? We insist that taxes must be increased in order to help the poor and weak, to prop up their mortgages, to guarantee that their homes are safe from foreclosure. We won’t let industries fail. And we throw holy hissy-fits at the idea of anything becoming extinct. But aren’t failure, and extinction, part of the process of Darwinism? If this troubles you, perhaps you are more likely to be a Christian than a Darwinist. I’m fine with that, by the way.
‘Christianity is a bad idea because, after all, the Bible was written by people, and it’s all about control. What we need is government in control of everything, because it’s run by people and it’s purpose is control! Wait, that sounded funny…’ Need I say more on that topic?
College students who want higher taxes, free health-care for everyone and punishment for big business should immediately sell their BMW Roadsters, stop drinking expensive Martinis on the weekend, take their Wii and X-Box systems to the local pawn-shop, give up vacationing in the islands for spring-break and take their extra money to people who need health-care and are out of jobs because industry has gone away. No?
There are progressives who very much want us to legalize marijuana and other recreational chemical substances. Mind you, they hate the tobacco companies and pharmaceutical industries and want tighter greater regulation on both; to the extent that they would make tobacco illegal altogether. Excuse me? They want to introduce as legal substances things that would never pass the FDA? And even if the FDA allowed it, who would do the long-term studies on Ecstasy or crack? Try running that past the Institutional Review Board of a major university!
I’m sorry, I don’t get this one: a woman has the right to ‘choose’ an abortion.  But a doctor shouldn’t have the ‘choice’ to engage in the service or not? Yikes, people. Think a minute!
Diversity is very important; we Americans embrace all different viewpoints, cultures and lifestyles. Wait, except for: gun-owning rural people, conservatives, conservative Christians, Christians who actually believe the Bible, home-schoolers, free-market economists, those who doubt global warming, those opposed to the sexual liberation movement, those in favor of tougher enforcement of immigration law and anyone else who doesn’t read the New York Times on Sunday morning while drinking expensive coffee and nodding their heads in agreement.
‘Young people should not be burdened with religious guilt or restrictions on their sexuality. It’s natural, you know? As long as they’re emotionally ready and physically careful, it’s up to them. We should stop being fuddy-duds.’ Lots of things are natural. Be careful with that one. And they should be allowed to drive cars when they feel ready? Because sexual activity, like driving, can be very dangerous in the world today. Should they be allowed to drink alcohol when they feel ready? Or carry firearms? And should we care if they are catching STD’s at alarming rates, and becoming pregnant too early and too often? Nah, fun is fun. What’s a painful rash, a baby, infertility or death between liberated, natural, fun-loving teens?
Just a few thoughts. Any of your own?
A little reality… I’m a college student. I drive a nisson versa. I rarely drink, perhaps one mixed drink every six months or so. I do not own a wii or an x-box, I do have the first nintendo, but I doubt the pawn shop would give me much for that. I spent Spring break at home, studying. If I had any extra money, I would gladly help those who need it. Before you say I am the exception, most of the student body at my campus went home for Spring break, (home as in, parents house in home town).… Read more »
Well said Edwin, there is definitely too much double-think going on lately and I think many are confused about what free speech and the right to hold an opinion that differs from their own is. I’m glad that there are others who see the disturbing trends in thinking going on. I’m sure you are aware of the recent incident with Tommy Tancredo at UNC Chapel Hill how one group who didn’t agree with him silenced his opinions and then claimed they were in support of free speech. Wait, what?!?! I work at a University and many of the students (and… Read more »
Pattie, RN
14 years ago
Excellent points, Dr. Ed! It is my experience that logic, critical thinking, non-revisionist history [warts and all!] and art of rhetoric have been missing from our educational system for quite some time. IMHO, when schools (K-12) became the scapegoats for poor parents and had too many social agendas to fulfill to allow them time to teach, true educationtook a nosedive. My DH teaches fifth grade in an urban school and his kids have w-w-a-a-y-y-y too many personal, family, and medical/mental health issues to begin to learn these higher order concepts. I have had a blessed life due to great parents,… Read more »
UnitSec
14 years ago
Another great post. I’m going to be teaching a bible study on Apologetics, and I’m thinking this post could be useful in the discussion.
I’ve added you to my weekly blog reading. Thanks for all the good stuff you keep posting.
God bless you, Doc!
ER RN
14 years ago
I do agree that there are many inconsistencies in “thought and morality that plague our country.” It is interesting to me that you point out the inconsistencies of some voices that are more left leaning. Because I have more difficulty with those who profess to be Christians but do not seem to follow the words of Christ. I think of those people as “moralistic,” who seem more concerned about the wrongs that other people are committing rather than being focused on the responsibilities that they have as Christians. It seems to me that many “Christians” have distorted what it means… Read more »
I think that I pointed out the inconsistencies of the left because, quite frankly, the left is leading the culture. Turn on any major media outlet and observe that the right is constantly vilified, called stupid, fundamentalist, judgmental, and any number of other adjectives all of which are negative. (And judgmental, by the way). And is it because their views are inherently irrational? Hardly. It’s because they are the right. Ancient traditions of morality are dismissed out of hand because they don’t ‘feel’ right. Should we be more merciful? Absolutely. I once wrote that ‘the left needs to teach the… Read more »
ER RN
14 years ago
You know, I agree. All I can say is that observing Christians, such as my grandparents, living a life that is holy, respectful, discerning, merciful, and loving and more, is a sight to behold. Anyone who knew my grandparents knew about God, even if my grandparents did not verbally share their faith in all situations. I do think that some of the issue is that the “right” and Christians are intermingled in people’s minds. I feel that the “right” is not the true voice of the Christian. When loud, public, “narcissistic,” judgmental people appear to be the voice of Christians… Read more »
Nancy R
14 years ago
I agree with ‘anonymous”. She/he is not the exception but the rule as I see it in our area. The people I know with “all of those toys and cars” happen to be those “conservatives” that you seem to think are plagued by the nasty, left leaning media. It is amazing how I see consevatives come up with a different name for everything. I AM a Christian, BTW. Shouldn’t have to say it, but obviously do on this page. Judgement is discernment; demonstrations are rallys, and on and on. Do you really not understand the necessity for separation of church… Read more »
I’m not even American but the right to beleieve in a nazi idealogy is as much some ones right as it is to be a Christian.
Unfortunately for your faith both intermingle at times and can sometimes be as equally ignorant
Cheers
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A little reality… I’m a college student. I drive a nisson versa. I rarely drink, perhaps one mixed drink every six months or so. I do not own a wii or an x-box, I do have the first nintendo, but I doubt the pawn shop would give me much for that. I spent Spring break at home, studying. If I had any extra money, I would gladly help those who need it. Before you say I am the exception, most of the student body at my campus went home for Spring break, (home as in, parents house in home town).… Read more »
Anonymous,
Excellent! There is hope! Perhaps my experience of many of the students in my area is a selection bias.
Incidentally, you have nothing to hide and excellent points to make.
Why not sign your name?
Edwin
Well said Edwin, there is definitely too much double-think going on lately and I think many are confused about what free speech and the right to hold an opinion that differs from their own is. I’m glad that there are others who see the disturbing trends in thinking going on. I’m sure you are aware of the recent incident with Tommy Tancredo at UNC Chapel Hill how one group who didn’t agree with him silenced his opinions and then claimed they were in support of free speech. Wait, what?!?! I work at a University and many of the students (and… Read more »
Excellent points, Dr. Ed! It is my experience that logic, critical thinking, non-revisionist history [warts and all!] and art of rhetoric have been missing from our educational system for quite some time. IMHO, when schools (K-12) became the scapegoats for poor parents and had too many social agendas to fulfill to allow them time to teach, true educationtook a nosedive. My DH teaches fifth grade in an urban school and his kids have w-w-a-a-y-y-y too many personal, family, and medical/mental health issues to begin to learn these higher order concepts. I have had a blessed life due to great parents,… Read more »
Another great post. I’m going to be teaching a bible study on Apologetics, and I’m thinking this post could be useful in the discussion.
I’ve added you to my weekly blog reading. Thanks for all the good stuff you keep posting.
God bless you, Doc!
I do agree that there are many inconsistencies in “thought and morality that plague our country.” It is interesting to me that you point out the inconsistencies of some voices that are more left leaning. Because I have more difficulty with those who profess to be Christians but do not seem to follow the words of Christ. I think of those people as “moralistic,” who seem more concerned about the wrongs that other people are committing rather than being focused on the responsibilities that they have as Christians. It seems to me that many “Christians” have distorted what it means… Read more »
I think that I pointed out the inconsistencies of the left because, quite frankly, the left is leading the culture. Turn on any major media outlet and observe that the right is constantly vilified, called stupid, fundamentalist, judgmental, and any number of other adjectives all of which are negative. (And judgmental, by the way). And is it because their views are inherently irrational? Hardly. It’s because they are the right. Ancient traditions of morality are dismissed out of hand because they don’t ‘feel’ right. Should we be more merciful? Absolutely. I once wrote that ‘the left needs to teach the… Read more »
You know, I agree. All I can say is that observing Christians, such as my grandparents, living a life that is holy, respectful, discerning, merciful, and loving and more, is a sight to behold. Anyone who knew my grandparents knew about God, even if my grandparents did not verbally share their faith in all situations. I do think that some of the issue is that the “right” and Christians are intermingled in people’s minds. I feel that the “right” is not the true voice of the Christian. When loud, public, “narcissistic,” judgmental people appear to be the voice of Christians… Read more »
I agree with ‘anonymous”. She/he is not the exception but the rule as I see it in our area. The people I know with “all of those toys and cars” happen to be those “conservatives” that you seem to think are plagued by the nasty, left leaning media. It is amazing how I see consevatives come up with a different name for everything. I AM a Christian, BTW. Shouldn’t have to say it, but obviously do on this page. Judgement is discernment; demonstrations are rallys, and on and on. Do you really not understand the necessity for separation of church… Read more »
I’m not even American but the right to beleieve in a nazi idealogy is as much some ones right as it is to be a Christian.
Unfortunately for your faith both intermingle at times and can sometimes be as equally ignorant
Cheers