Pubdate: Tue, 18 Jun 2002
Source: Athens Banner-Herald (GA)
Copyright: 2002 Athens Newspapers Inc
Contact:  http://www.onlineathens.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1535
Author: Russ Calhoun Sr.

UNBRIDLED 'FREEDOMS' HAVE ALLOWED IMMORALITY TO SPREAD

We were established as a Christian nation and charged with an ethic of 
morality that placed certain responsibilities on its citizens. This fact is 
well documented in the writings of our Founding Fathers and upheld in 
(early) rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court. Later interpretations of the 
various amendments to the Constitution by the U.S. Supreme Courts and other 
federal courts and judges, removed God from our schools, institutions and 
other areas of public life and, in effect, substituted a system of amoral, 
unbridled "freedoms." As a result of these interpretations, God and 
morality has all but disappeared from all areas of our lives -- replaced 
with 'relative' moralism. This is illustrated by the dramatic increase in 
(and acceptance of) illegitimacy, drug use, child abuse, divorce and the 
legalized murder of innocent unborn children. Vulgar and obscene language 
in movies, television programs and lyrics to what is now called music is 
openly promoted and made available to children. Pornography is now 
"protected speech." A recent court ruling has even legalized computer 
generated child pornography. This garbage is spread via the Internet, 
movies, satellite and cable television and other media, directly into our 
homes and to our neighbors around the world. Thomas Jefferson was concerned 
that this would happen. In 1781, he said, "God who gave us life gave us 
liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have 
removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that 
these liberties are a gift of God? That they are not to be violated but 
with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is 
just; that His justice cannot sleep forever." I, also, "tremble for my 
country," Mr. Jefferson.

Russ Calhoun Sr. Watkinsville
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom