On My Soap Box

That’s right, I am on my soapbox and I am going to talk about violence in today's society.

It all (to me) boils down to one word: responsibility.

Responsibility? Why that is a weird choice of word, isn’t it?

It branches off to so many different aspects of the way today’s society is going though. It falls on these people’s shoulders and it is being shrugged off as we have become a nation of excuses and passing the buck.

• Parents – “I don’t have the time to teach my children right and wrong, the schools will do that”
• Educators – “We can’t teach children right and wrong without mentioning God and morals, the government has to tell us how to teach them.
• Government – “We must show diversity, sensitivity and tolerance above all else, it is up to the individual to educate themselves. We will let the media show them the truth.”
• Media – “It’s all about the ratings, shock and sensationalism, what will attract the viewers?”
• Child – “watches the “truth“”

The responsibility of guiding morals has been shirked. Add to that a relaxed system of justice, entertainment industry that counts its dollars on every drop of special effects blood and it is no wonder that our society has become so violent.

Instead of Pac-Man, we have video games that gives you points on how many innocent people you kill or steal from.

Instead of “Andy Griffith”, we have “The Shield” where beatings and torture are OK as long as it is justified.

Instead of that horrible teeny bopper music of chewing bubble gum, we have songs about killing cops and beating up women.

Criminals are no longer held accountable for their actions, they need not fear the lynching mobs of old…there are 3 meals waiting for them and someone who will try to reassure the public that they are reformed.

Crimes can be easily committed because law enforcement is stretched thin and generally makes reports instead of preventing. Also because the officers who do want to prevent acts are held back by someone’s delicate rights.

Domestic abuse is put on the back burner until there is an actual documented incident.

Family is becoming a non-existent term as we are allowed to chose whether or not we want the child that was conceived and walk in and out of marriages that are just too much work.

Yet, we sit and wonder why the headlines are so full of violence and devastation.

As parents we have the ability to instill the moral values in our children that will prevent them from following in the bloody footsteps that our society has deemed to be commonplace and unavoidable. Mayberry was onto something…

Barney Fife: Well, today’s eight-year-olds are tomorrow’s teenagers. I say this calls for action and now. Nip it in the bud. First sign of youngsters going wrong, you’ve got to nip it in the bud.
Andy Taylor: I’m going to have a talk with them. What else do you want me to do?
Barney Fife: Well, don’t just mollycoddle them.
Andy Taylor: I won’t.
Barney Fife: Nip it. You go read any book you ant on the subject of child discipline and you’ll find every one of them is in favor of bud-nipping.

Nip it in the bud. Stop it before it starts. Put your foot down and say “Heck NO! Not in my house, not in my family!” Do not trust someone else to teach your children what is right and wrong, look at the blaring voices from the T.V. and listen to what they are trying to convince us. Do not allow those video games and violent movies. It does not have to be this way, it is up to the consensus of your “Round Table” (kitchen table) of how you are going to raise your children and what you are going to teach them is normal and acceptable behavior. Take the responsibility to make a change. No, we can’t change the world and the headlines tomorrow will not be about hearts and butterflies, but we can make a difference in our own house. In that difference, you are showing your neighbors, co-workers, family and friends that it is no longer accepted or approved. Perhaps a chain reaction will start occurring? Perhaps Obama will have to reverse his statement about this no longer being a Nation of Christians? Perhaps good and wholesome will become fashionable again?

Until that day, do not get discouraged about the headlines. Look at it as an opportunity to renew your faith and trust in God, instill those morals in your children as well and have a conversation over the water cooler/checkout line/etc. about how “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”