Only Two Cultures In The World

A recent report indicated that our children spend 7 1/2 hours a day with digital media: cell phones, internet, gaming, TV, iPods, etc. They text, tweet, chat and blog. They talk on their phones, text and send pictures back and forth. And on the internet they not only use the video chat rooms, they have access to every sewer and cesspool in the world!

Once upon a time, parents "programed" their children with the family value system. They controlled what children saw, heard and did. They controlled what they ate and where they went. The end-product was an adult who understood, at least, even if he did not embrace the family value system.

Today, this model is seen as restrictive. We are not convinced a child can grow up balanced unless he or she is exposed to every evil, nasty, degrading and disgusting thing the world has to offer. We certainly don't want them shielded. What will happen to them when they are released into the world? They won't be prepared. The world will eat them alive!

Maybe. But consider this: is it better for a child to be desensitized to sin, or to be shielded from it so that when he encounters it, he is shocked?

Do we want our children to grow up accepting of evil or convinced they will either "get caught" or be damaged by contact with it?

I think we need to ask ourselves: "How's this new morality working out?" How's this new parenting program doing? Is it producing a better product? Every study says No! And even a casual look around would support those conclusions.

We have probably the smartest, most talented bunch of kids the world has ever seen. And, yet we can't educate them, we can't protect them and we can't give them hope. They seem hooked on sensual gratification, whether it's music, entertainment or drugs. The boys want to "party" until they're 35 years of age. Boys and girls want the fulfillment of a relationship without 'benefit of clergy.' And the girls still want babies (at some point), whether or not the fathers are around for the long haul.

Where is all this taking us? Certainly we are not improving, as a society. Our penchant for freedom and a non-judgmental social contract is driving us into distinction as a culture.

The reality is: There are only two cultures in the world: One is a godly culture the other isn't. And, even Christian parents are rejecting the godly one. Why? Because they don't want to be 'the bad guy.' Well, being the 'bad guy' is what parenting is about.

A Living Hell

An email from a Moslem listener asks: Name a place if you can where Christianity has not left in it's wake a "living hell" for those who came in contact with it.

He is upset that I would characterize Islam as a religion that allows for violence in the defense of the faith as opposed to Christianity which advocates forgiveness, tolerance and turning the other cheek.

In answer to his challenge, I would name The United States of America. The "American Experiment" was decidedly Christian in it's underlying values. In harmony with this, we have allowed all sorts of religious beliefs to be established and flourish, unmolested. Some of these beliefs have run counter to what we stand for, but at no time were the adherents limited, much less persecuted.

Today, in Egypt the Coptic Church is under attack from Moslems. There is shooting in the streets and in their churches, buildings are being ransacked and burned, people are being persecuted for their beliefs.

In Turkey, the Sudan, Saudi Arabia, The Gaza Strip, Iran and Indonesia, Christianity is an outlaw religion. Non Moslems are finding themselves in a "living hell" simply because of what they believe. Not what they're doing. What they think.

The Founder of Christianity suffered at the hands of religious bigotry. He ultimately gave His life for those who would follow Him.

The Founder of Islam slaughtered those who would not convert to his new religion. And built into his system the concept of jihad: the overt, aggressive defense of the faith, up to and including murder.

Christians are responsible for hospitals, orphanages, schools, the Y.M.C.A. and later the Y.W.C.A., along with individual rights for citizens, the exaltation of women and protection for children.

In Great Britain, the Minister of Parliament who labored for 20 years to abolish slavery, was a committed Christian, acting on his beliefs that all men are created equal.

In America, the Abolitionist Movement was started by and undergirded by Christians.

Christians live according to conscience and faith.
Moslems live according to law and the threat of flogging, mutilation and death.

Christians serve their Heavenly Father. A Father Who loves His children.
Islam serves a Master who's will is not always known but must be accepted.

The Christian is charged with loving God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. And to love others as they would themselves.

The Christian is commissioned to preach the Gospel to all nations. He is not taught, nor required to force anyone to accept his offer.

And when the Christian is attacked, he is not taught to retaliate in kind. When insulted he is to "turn the other cheek." When persecuted he is not to persecute in response. And if your neighbor sins against you, forgive him.

Where in the Koran, do you find similar teachings?

It is argued that under Mosaic Law an eye is required for an eye. This is a legal prescription for settling disputes in Israel. It is not a universal principle. It did not apply to Gentiles. And Jesus changed that, in the Sermon on The Mount, teaching that the righteous demands of God required something more noble: love your enemies, do good to them that despitefully use you.

This is a "Living Hell" I can live with!