In February 1986, The Plain Truth magazine published an article with the title, “A New Danger, Cultural Terrorism.” The author noted, “The greatest tragedy is that most of this appalling material is aimed to appeal to the young. The damage that has been done – and is being done – to the morals of a whole generation is incalculable.” In the three decades since this was written, the cultural terrorists have gained enough influence to mount an all-out assault on western culture in general. A remarkably short period of time. It is now a culture war.
One area of concern in this war is the damage done to a whole generation. Breaking into a line of thought, the author continues, “They lost a link with centuries of tradition with its emphasis on respect for the elderly, charity, close family ties and other ‘old fashioned’ ideals. Almost overnight, all that was swept away as the youngsters became addicted to an instant, no-thought-required counterfeit culture. Parents found they were unable to pass anything on, for they had no point of reference with the new set of values that their children were absorbing. And of course, these children will have nothing to pass on to their children when the time comes, for in an ever-changing world of pop culture, nothing lasts long enough to become a heritage.” There would be many parents in God’s Church today who feel they have experienced the “no point of reference” with their children as they grew older and the cultural war did its work.
President Reagan is quoted as saying, ”I don’t believe that our founding fathers ever intended … the rights of pornographers to take precedent over the rights of parents, and the violent and malevolent be given free rein to prey on our children.” Both President Reagan and the author of this article would be shocked at what has developed since they made their observations about parental rights and responsibilities.
This aspect of passing something on to our children is interesting. At a time when it is increasingly difficult to identify core values for parents to pass on in families, we are sitting on the greatest stockpile of core values available to any people on earth. Sure, it is becoming difficult to openly speak of those values, but no one can take the truth of them from you. You can believe and no cultural terrorist can eradicate your internal belief system.
It is vital that we live what we believe. Character is a great teacher within a family setting. Children learn by example, so they need to see you settled and firm in your beliefs. In all too many cases, for young people, the turmoil within the Church has only fueled the acceptance of the liberation offered by the culture they are forced to spend so much time in. Old fashioned ideals are out; freedom to do whatever you want is in. They need positive role models – old fashioned ideals — within the family environment.
We all need to accept personal responsibility to be living examples of God’s way of life in action. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only …” (James 1:22). In this present environment, that will speak volumes.
Brian Orchard
