“But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14.
Once upon a time in America we used to believe that we were placed on this earth for a reason. There was a time when people actually believed that God had a divine plan for all of us. Americans used to be a free people who found faith and purpose in their Maker. Sadly, the common good that used to exist in our civilization and the respect for the rule of law is unraveling. The following words describe the current state of our people:
- “Their feet are swift to shed blood” Romans 3:15.
- “Destruction and misery are in their ways” Romans 3:16.
- “And the way of peace have they not known” Romans 3:17.
- “There is no fear of God before their eyes” Romans 3:18.
A mass shooting took place in Jacksonville, FL after a psychotic video gamer was eliminated from a competition. David Katz began opening fire on the other players killing three, including himself, and injuring another eleven. [1]
Katz apparently traveled from Baltimore to Jacksonville to participate in a gaming tournament, but once he lost, the sore loser began firing rounds at the other players and eventually took his own life. [2]
Too many of these young gamers are living in different dimensions and are completely disconnected with reality. Another video gamer recently jumped into his $200,000 McLaren sports car and started diving on the wrong side of the freeway at 100 mph. He killed himself and a mother and child after a head on collision. [3]
What made this video gamer snap? He was recently banned by video game developers from interacting with players in a game forum. [4]
Where did we as a society begin to lose our way? And when did we lose our conviction that a moral code for right and wrong really does exist. How did we lose our desire that, by God’s grace, we must live up to those standards? Here is how we lost the war.
In 1962 the United States Supreme Court ruled (Engel v. Vitale) that prayer could no longer be made in public schools. [5] An elementary school in Hyde Park, New York would begin each day with the following prayer:
“Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our Country.” [6]
In a 6 to 1 ruling the Supreme Court stated that this prayer or any prayer to God in public schools were a violation of the First Amendment.
The following year in 1963 the United States Supreme Court ruled (Abington Township School District v. Schempp) in an 8 to 1 decision that the Bible could no longer be read in public schools. [7]
Prayer and Bible study are unconstitutional? Really? These used to be the bedrock of our educational system for hundreds of years. These promote good moral character in our children. Prayer and Bible study aids in combating juvenile delinquency and immorality. Even state and federal agencies know this to be true.
Have you noticed that both state and federal prisons provide Bibles to their inmates and even allows them to pray? Why do we allow prisoners to pray and have Bibles during their stay in state and federal institutions only after their lives have been ruined? Why didn’t we just leave prayer and Bible study in our public schools as a deterrent so that they don’t end up in prison or in the cemetery?
When we begin to remove our values (prayer and Bible study) from the foundation of public life, there are consequences. Is it just a coincidence that immediately following the removal of prayer and Bible study from our public schools that the counter-culture revolution of the 1960s began in America?
Here is one more example: Once upon a time we used to have wholesome programming in America. The Andy Griffin Show aired from 1960-1968 during “prime time” on the local television networks. Look at the following video for just one minute. This is what we used to have as our “prime time” entertainment.
What on earth are children watching today? Unfortunately, we cannot in good conscience show you because it’s that bad. Our culture has truly become morally bankrupt.
Do we really believe for one second that we can have it both ways? Do we really believe that God will protect us in our times of national crisis when we reject Him, His word, His standards of right and when we reject all communication (prayer) with Him in our public, day-to-day lives? It’s time for our courts, our schools, our political leaders and even our churches to realize that we need God more than He needs us. Not only do we need Him, we need Him right NOW more than ever!
“For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” Matthew 13:15.
Sources
[1] https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/7106452/jacksonville-landing-shooting-4-dead-shopping-centre/
[4] https://www.10news.com/news/how-san-diego-man-in-i-805-crash-made-small-fortune-on-youtube
[5] https://www.oyez.org/cases/1961/468
[6] http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=3&psid=1197
[7] https://www.oyez.org/cases/1962/142
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