what do u think about the diminishing influence of biblical values in public life today?

Question

i'm doing a report for government class. i go to a christian school and i need some christian views on it. also some examples of stuff would be nice. thank u

EXCUSE ME: i said i need CHRISTIAN'S views. as in views that I would agree with. i don't want to hear about how "we don't need Biblical values becuase they're bad" because i DO NOT agree with that. and i suggest that u pick up a Bible or go to a church somtime very soon. thank u.

Answer 1

Obviously we can see the spiritual decaying of the society. Its about self and less about God and others. In going to the shopping mall, people don't hold the door anymore. In taking the bus and accidentally hit you, but won't excuse themselves. In driving, its all about my personal time. In economics, its again all about my well-being, not even in most cases those a little outside my little household (if indeed they provide to their own household). In speech, its about swearing and cursing, there is not holding up. In conduct, its about rudeness, boasting, self-achievement, gossips, revenge, envy and malice. At night, its about drinking parties and orgies. In terms of morals, it’s about the shortest way to gain as long as we don't get caught up. All these things are done in secret and they don't like to be told about it. The knowledge of God is in none of their thought.

At school, its about teaching the “theory of evolution”; where a theory as far as I know, is not a proven fact, instead of sound knowledge of God. Its also about teaching “good morals”, which is more or less the flavor of the generation because the next one will adopt another series of morals. Its about teaching our children that our lives are meaningless, because as we die we go vanish away or we reincarnate in some sort of things. Its about showing our children that marriages are no longer what they are supposed to be, so we must “redefine” the very notice of marriage to fit our views. Its about teaching our children that if you “feel good” about it, then it must be good. Its about telling children that nothing is bad, as long as it is done with moderation.

In short, its about turning bad into good.

However, those who understand that the fear of God (in the sense of reverence, not terror) is the beginning of knowledge; have ceased to do these things. There is a great wisdom in the word of God, but men have thought themselves worthy to be appointed judge over themselves, but God measure the spirits.

As Solomon wisely said:

“13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
14 For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12 :13-14)

Answer 2

The diminishing influence of religious values (not strictly Christian, since America's founders were a mixed bunch) is an interesting topic. Certainly Christianity has been the prodominant religion here (and in most of the Western world)
and those values shaped much of what we take for granted today.

Some of the diminishing influence is just a matter of scientific advancement- people historically have looked to the church for answers to questions they don't understand (even if those questions weren't spiritual in nature, which was a mistake) But we know more know than people did 200 years ago. And what we know, we no longer look for Biblical answers to. So the sphere of influence of the church shrinks.

Lots of things like charitable organizations, hospitals, etc have their basis in Christian values. But we can't forget that America's founders took the boats over here came to achieve FREEDOM of religion, to worship however & whatever they chose to. If they wanted the church as their government, they would have stayed in Europe with King James and the Pope.

Answer 3

Well, just in my lifetime I can think of lots of changes, so I'll give you some examples:

We used to pray together in school and at all school functions.
The school Christmas play included the nativity story.
People never....NEVER cursed in public.
People showed respect for elderly people.
"Please", "thank-you", and "pardon me" were commonly heard wherever you went.
People entered contracts on a word and a handshake and kept them as though written and notorized.
Public intoxication (like at football games) wasn't tolerated.
Sundays were sacred........no businesses were open on Sunday.
You never had to lock your doors. In fact, you slept with the windows open, and just the screen door.
Children were safe walking to town, to the park, even coming in after dark.
You knew your neighbors intimately and treated them like family.
TV and movies had no sexual scenes, cursing, etc. NONE!
You knew your doctor personally and he would make house calls!
Women stayed home and raised their children......this was what they did. (not that that is the only right way, but the children are certainly better off with the mom home, and less adultery in the office)
The people who ran for office, generally didn't lie or misrepresent themselves. It was a choice of two good ones, rather than a choice of which is the least bad one.
Children weren't exposed to drugs, sex, the dark side so early in life as they are now. They were allowed to be kids.
Kids' role models were their moms and dads, teachers, and even big brothers and sisters.
Materialism was not a problem. People didn't want so much or have so much.....they enjoyed each other and spent time together.
Most people prayed a lot more.....at meals, at bedtime, together as a family.
People didn't focus on their rights so much. Didn't feel like they were "owed" anything. They just treated others by the "Golden Rule" and practiced being their "brother's keeper".
People didn't fight in public. Didn't sling nasty accusations and words around in public. Didn't cause scenes in public. Generally speaking.
People didn't waste the time and money of the courts over every little thing and petty lawsuits. They were quicker to settle disputes without a big stink and frivilous law suit
It was a "kinder, gentler" time......not the angry, rage, waiting to explode you see now.
People used guns to hunt.....not to hurt other people
Kids would never even think about having sex in the school yard, bathroom, parking lot, etc. Nor would they bring drugs, guns, etc. to school. They respected the teachers and there was no need for police on the grounds. No bomb threats. No hit lists.
No inappropriate attire. And no GUM!

Each generation pushes the envelope a little further. The changes are enormous if you look at the values patterns every 20 years, every 10 years, even every 5 years. That's why the parent of today (whatever year you pick) hasn't a clue what their kid experiences at school. We seem to think school stays the way it was for us, and that just does not happen. And so goes the nation.

Answer 4

Well it started in the 1950s when the supreme courts said there was a seperation of church and state. A far cry from what the first Cheif Justice of the supreme court said.
John Jay - First Supreme Court Justice

• “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”

Then in I think it was 1961 or 1963 they said we couldnt display the ten commandments in public schools. From that time you can see the murder rate, teenage pregnancy, drug use, crime rates all climb exponentially. I dont have the figures in front of me but you should take some time and try to find them I have seen them and some are up over 1000% since that time. Abortion has become legal and millions of innocent children have been aborted.
Its getting to the place where you are looked down upon if you speak of Jesus and morality. You are considered an idiot if you belive in the bible. I understand what is happening because I believe the bible and know the times we live in. It is still hard for me to belive that we have fallen this far in a country that was started by people who come here to be able to worship as they seen fit and where your rights as a citizen come from your creator. Look it up in the constitution, its in there. The founding fathers new that man is and always will be messed up so they made sure your rights as a citizen came from God and that no government could take them away. Now that we are getting away from God you see our rights get away from us.

Answer 5

It's about time, and as a catholic I see religion as a troublesome institution that has exploited a story that is not all together true, I believe the future will show just how religion has lied to man for thousands of years simply for personal wealth and power, the story of Jesus for example is an Egyptian story and it was written 2000 years prior to the so called birth of Jesus, It wasn't till 2000 years later that the scribes came upon the story, and used it in the bible, and religion sure doesn't want this story out, but it is and people are simply going to have to accept the truth.

Answer 6

There is a huge difference between divine command theory and moral philosophy.

Society dictates what are important values.

Values should be universal and secular.

Moral philosophy is about doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do.

While divine command theory is doing the right thing because you have to.

There is a difference between doing it because you have to vs doing it because you want to.

Biblical values can easily be misinterpreted and misused.
Leviticus 25:44, Exodus 21:7, Exodus 35:2 these are three examples of how one could misuse bible passages and justify it as biblical values.

Edit:
Taking prayer out of public schools has nothing to do with the problems of society. People like poster jeff "assume" that is the single cause.
What he does not realize is that there are many factors to that.

Also there is a reason why separation of church and state is important; another thing that people like poster jeff FAIL to realize.

Answer 7

Ours is a society in decay. What is wrong has become right, and what is right is now wrong. "Everybody's doing it." I hear that all the time. I have gotten into many heated discussions and lost so called "friends" over what my Bible says vs theirs. I am positive, it is very hard for young adults to live and maintain any kind of integrity in the new environment. I have a 19 year old son. The last 5 years have been long and labored. It amazes me. Everyone says "where is God, why does he let such bad things happen?" Not His fault. He can not operate where He is not invited or welcomed. If you do not accept Jesus Christ for who, and what He is, how on Earth do you expect to call on Him and think He will answer? Especially if your heart is black and cold? I for one am concerned about where we are going, but I know is must happen according to scripture. Sometimes, I wish I was still blind. It was a lot easier when I was ignorant... Many Blessings.

Answer 8

I think it's great - less oppression, greater freedoms, no more inhibition of scientific discovery, judging people based on silly biblical ideas is minimized (i.e. single mothers, divorcees, homosexuals, etc.) It's a win-win situation when we stop living our lives based on outdated ideas and the mandates of such a cruel deity as the Christian God.

I don't think that the values Jesus would have espoused are diminishing, however. We are condemning torture, slavery is ended, we are called to help our fellow man and non-profits are receiving more donations than ever before. If we could stick to Jesus' Golden Rule, our society would be better off. Trying to inject the Biblical "values" however, has been disastrous and I'm glad we are moving into a new age of enlightenment.

Answer 9

Depends what you mean by 'biblical values'. If you mean a decline in the morality of which I approve, such as consideration and respect for others, honesty, fairness, inclusiveness and so on, then I think that's a bad thing, but I don't think those are 'biblical' except in the sense that the Bible may have adopted some of those things as good ideas.

Answer 10

The strive for political correctness, the need to treat all people fairly (in America) are factors in our less Christian country. Living in such a diverse nation has brought people of all kinds to our shores, looking to live a wonderful life. Many of them are not Christian.
Also, the US government (if that's where you are) cannot sanction ANY religion. The United States is a free country.