In the 1950’s there was an air of individuality, prosperity and liberty that does not exist today. Today, conformity is heavily promoted through government education, social media, AI, robotics, mass advertising and television news and programs that portray what they perceive to be reality. Hollywood has been successful in conveying an image of America and American life that is filled with self indulgence, rebellion, negative views toward Christianity, violence, and unfettered profligacy as regards both individuals and government. Those who don’t see that are intentionally turning a blind eye to reality.

We’ve seen DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) foisted upon us, and DEI is, among other things, very dismissive of Christianity, America’s founders, and white people in general, and the culture that has been derived from those. From that has come the fruit of discontent. Kids in schools now have “walk outs” and demonstrations against the political issue du jour.

In my school days, there was the ocasional bully and/or class clown. We studied the three “R’s” known as Reading wRiting and aRithmatic, and not the new application of Reaction, Revolution and Rights! Certainly when something happens, we should react, but not necesarily with violence and demonstations. Revolution just overthrows the established culture in favor of who knows what? and “rights” have been distorted into privileges, access to other’s property, and protected feelings!

As a ten year old, I remember the whole group of kids in the neighborhood (about 8) stood on the lawn next to mine, and they all mocked and called me names. Can you imagine that happening today? There would be law suits galore – parents wringing their hands and gnashing their teeth! Mandate counseling would be a given. We have become a nation of “snowflakes”, or more commonly known as the “woke” generation. In my youth, one was free to speak their mind without any recriminations as a rule. People listened to each other in those days. Ideas were exchanged and debated. Believe it or not, the gap between Democrat and Republican was mild. Today, Democrats and Republicans are so polarized, that, at least in the case of Democrats, they are calling for violence against Republicans!

Political violence in the 50’s was pretty minimal, and was demonstrated mostly by unions striking against employers for higher wages. And, yes in larger cities, particularly on the east coast, there was some gang violnece. Even then, gang violence was rather mild compared to today. Then it was the ocasional fist fight, knifing or zip gun shooting. People generally got injured, but not killed. At the time I was around ten years old, I remember seeing an article on the front page of the newspaper reporting on a school shooting in which a girl was killed. That was the first I ever heard of school violence, and didn’t hear about it again for more than another decade!

Ah, but that was then and this is now! Agreed! Let me continue. Crime was of minimal concern during my youth. There was never any fear on my part of being attacked, robbed or whatever, and I traveled all over the city. Safety was never a concern. Kidnappings of children were virtually unheard of. Divorce was rare. Homosexuality was sniggered at., gang activity was something you saw on a movie or TV show, rape was rare, drugs were scoffed at, and only the most depraved had anything to do with them. Alcoholism was a factor, but for the most part, not among the masses.

Not only that, but kids spent lots of time outside playing, football, baseball, basketball, Frisbee throwing, bicycling, and neighborhood games like tag and hide and seek! People knew their neighbors, and most people were very neighborly to the degree of extending hospitality from time to time. Everyone greeted everyone on a regular basis, and when a neighbor’s kid stepped out of line,they might well be confronted by someone other than their actual parent. Kids were respectful toward adults including their teachers and law enforcement.

Now, adults command little to no respect from youth – especially teachers. In fact, it’s not unusual for kids to attack and abuse adults. When I was in school, we saw the police once a year to tell us what policing was all about on career day. Today, police are stationed at schools, and even so, crime at schools is rampant with drugs and violence. Kids don’t really respect the police any more! Neighbors frequently don’t know each other. This person has made it a point to get to know, at least, my immediate nighbors. Today, kids spend hours a day on their cell phones and computers, and thereby have little to no healthy interaction with other kids – its texting and gaming now.

In my youth, there was constantly stimulation of my imagination as my best friend came up with great ideas, and we had unfettered freedom to move and act. Between us, we probably watched less than 8 hours of TV a week. Today, kids watch TV 30 – 40 hours a week and if you add in cell phone activity, it’s even higher. They get virtually “0” intellectual stimulus, and virtually “0” alternative viewpoints. The word intelligence comes from two Latin derivatives – inter; meaning between, and legare; a verb meaning the ability to choose. So, the literal meaning of intelligent is to have the ability to choose between. If you get basically only one viewpoint, then that eliminates any opportunity to be intelligent.

Another critical distinction between then and now is the abandonment of church attendance. In my youth, my dad made sure I went to church every Sunday. Our church was pretty weak, although still a church, and the idea was inculcated in me. As I gew to the age of maturity, my decision was to walk away from the church. Without going through all of the gory details, by the time I reached my mid-30’s, I was at the end of my rope, and returned to church. It took me about three years to find a good church. Today, it’s a lot easier with internet help.

Why is church so critical? It does a number of things that movies, TV and friends don’t. It gives you an objective authority to guide your life. It puts you in proximity with people of like mind, and it opens up a social network that should not lead you astray. It aslo is a supporting network when you are having moral, economic, health and social dilemmas. It provides an opportunity to live intelligently by getting counsel from people who, hopefully, have your best interests at heart. Yes, there are a lot of bad, and fake churches out there, and that’s where it’s up to you to identify a good church. That decision should be based upon the Bible being the ultimate authority over the chruch. Secondly, it should be based upon a “confessional” church which means that the church’s beliefs are explained in writing so that it is clearly understood.

Church’s that don’t offer those two, Bible and confession, standards are, and have become, a threat to the Christian order that established America. Although America was never formally declared a “Christian nation”, it was, by implication, and culture, very Christian. Growing up, I remember the “Bluelaws” which would not allow businesses to operate on Sunday (the Sabbath) And, as I’ve said already, divorce was very rare, along with other things I mentioned. Today, Christian order still provides an inclination towards private property, deferential treatment for women, speaking truthfully, pursuing just solutions, working hard, having integrity etc.

Life today, is life today – we cannot go back to the way things were, but we can repent of our sinful ways and restore righteousness to America. It will take an act of GOD, and hopefully, Americans are ready for that!

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