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