Pubdate: Sun, 12 Jan 2003
Source: Marietta Daily Journal (GA)
Copyright: 2003 The Marietta Daily Journal.
Contact:  http://www.mdjonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1904
Author: The Rev. Nelson Price
Note: The Rev. Nelson Price is pastor emeritus of Roswell Street Baptist 
Church.

YOUNG PEOPLE MUST TUNE OUT MEDIA'S BRAINWASHING

Right is right, though all men be against I, and wrong is wrong, though all 
be for it. William Penn congealed truth in that statement.

There are moral absolutes. Situational ethics based on relativism don't work.

The new morality society of which our youth are a part doesn't operate on 
that basis. With them that which determines right or wrong is "Does it 
work?" If it does, to them it is right. If it doesn't, it is wrong.

What the older generation must do to reach and minister to the younger 
generation is to learn how to show that what is right works and what is 
wrong doesn't work.

There is a reason right is right and wrong is wrong. Right works in the 
long run and wrong doesn't. It is that simple. It is not simple to 
communicate the logic in each decision, however.

Impropriety, immorality and unethical behavior have adverse consequences. 
They provide kicks with a kickback. Living it up can have results hard to 
live down. The act and the ultimate result must be connected logically for 
youth to understand.

This is further complicated in that if it feels good, it is assumed to be 
working.

Adults often try to correct improper conduct by dealing with the symptom 
rather than the cause. The cause is improper core values and/or a wrong 
belief system. It takes time and intellectual honesty to correct either.

Acts come from core values. Core values are based on beliefs. They form a 
pyramid. Beliefs are the base, core values rest on them, and conduct is the 
consequence.

Many youth are taught the basic beliefs of our faith, but fail to develop a 
system of core values based on them. As a result, they are well informed on 
what to believe, but without core values in keeping with those beliefs, 
engage in conduct in conflict with those beliefs.

The diet of MTV, carnal movies, and corruptive music is often the basis for 
the core values of many youth. Their conduct reveals it. Glitz and glamour 
make it appear the core values advocated are working. Hence, they are right.

The drug deaths, diseases, suicides, breakups and breakdowns in the 
entertainment community reveal it is a system of values that isn't working. 
The reason is such conduct is wrong.

Sooner or later, every person has to sit down to a banquet of consequences.

Somewhere between beliefs and conduct there is a disconnect. Many who have 
been reared and mentored with sound moral and spiritual beliefs engage in 
contrary conduct.

Britney Spears, reared in my little home community, was brought up going to 
and singing in church. She attended a very good private Christian school. 
The moral standards of the community were wholesome.

Like millions of others, she developed core values contrary to the belief 
system in which she grew up.

To help a young person live a circumspect life, they must not only be 
taught right from wrong but taught to avoid negative brainwashing offered 
by certain segments of the media.

Dr. Nelson L. Price is pastor emeritus of Roswell Street Baptist Church, 
www.nelsonprice.com
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MAP posted-by: Beth