THERE WAS A TIME...

            There was a time.

            It was when growing up was a time of innocence. It was a time before the San Francisco “hippies,” drugs, the sexual revolution and when a parent’s guidance influenced and guided our decisions.

It was a time when a young person took pride in oneself and not being part of the mob was more important than associating with a recalcitrant dope smoking group of losers. It was a time when one would make a promise and seal it with a handshake and it meant something.

To be known as a “square shooter” was a cherished complement.

It was a time when honor and respect of others had real meaning. It was a time when young girls wore their angora sweaters, skirts, bobby socks and black and white saddle shoes and were treated with respect by their boyfriends who took them to school dances, picnics and carnivals. It was a time of innocence.

            Young men at that time were raised to treat their female friends with respect not as sexual objects to be mistreated for personal gratification. It was a time when character, honesty and self control were the master of a person’s behavior. There was a time when adults were respected by the young and households were a haven.

            It was a time when mom stayed home and took care of the family. It was a time when dad worked to support, protect and care for his family without government intrusion.

            But there was also a time of hardship, wars and change. The 20^th century was the most horrific in the history of mankind. Two world wars overtook nearly every country in the world and those who were not fighting were overrun by those who were. It was a time of misery, hardship and death of untold millions of innocents. It was a time hopefully never to be repeated.

            But that was then and now is now.

            The changes within the past 60 years introduced a 180 degree change from the ideas and values of those past times. First to fall was morality. In the 1960’s the discovery of the pill opened the gates to rampant promiscuity. “Shacking up” no longer carried any sense of shame since belief that a woman could hold to the belief that “it is my body” and they could do anything they wanted with it including killing a child in the womb. There were no longer consequences for their actions.

            As time progressed a review of Nietzsche’s famous proclamation that “God is dead” has now became a reasonable philosophy. Figuratively he said that humans killed God and that rationalism and science has replaced Him. No longer is mankind required to have shared beliefs in ethics, morals or a uniform cultural belief. Like the “hippies said in the 60’s; “If it feels good do it!”

            Even many churches’ today believe there is no longer “sin” but rather a need for more inclusion for those who practice what was once considered the commission of mortal sins. Now emphasis is on “love” and those who continue to hold to such practices are now welcomed with no need for repentance or change of behavior. If God does exist he is a loving “God” who doesn’t judge. Apparently He was kidding when he handed Moses the Ten Commandments. But then again, Moses was another time.

            It is astonishing that within the brief time of the last 60 years what was once wrong is now right and what was once right is now wrong!

            There was a time when schools taught true values. There were courses in civil science, patriotism, love of country, honor of the flag. But now such teaching comes under the Big Brother eye of the federal government, teacher unions and the ACLU. There are now laws outlawing such courses in public schools. In addition to this there are laws prohibiting any reference to God, His Son Jesus or the Holy Spirit. Today there is no need for such beliefs they say.

            The world is in crisis and people wonder why. The answer is really simple if you take stock of what is considered “progress.” Previous values, beliefs and the reliance of the divine is no longer considered appropriate or needed. We live in another time and previous beliefs have no place in our onward charge.

            What will it all come to? Only He who created all has the answer. For us time will tell.