What is the current state of morality in the U.S? According to a recent Gallop poll:
- 54% say the state of moral values in U.S. is poor; 33% only fair
- 83% think U.S. moral values are getting worse
Americans’ rating of the state of moral values in the U.S. and their outlook for morality in the future are at their most negative points in 22 years of measurement. (1) All you have to do is look around you to see the decline. It is evident in the popular entertainment venues, in laws making what was immoral behavior legal, in news stories of what seems like daily happenings, and in some churches accepting into participation and leadership those practicing immoral behavior.
The United States is increasingly becoming a post-Christian country. In 1972, 90% of Americans were Christian. In 2020, only 64% were. By 2020, Christians will constitute a maximum of 50% with some projections approaching 30%. (2) Martha’s poem addresses our countries status and is entitled “Shame.”
Why is this? Do individual Christians have any responsibility for what is happening? Do congregations have any responsibility for this decline?
But, you say, we have responsibility for letting immoral behavior continue in our own congregation, but not what happens in the public square and in our culture. Is this really true?”
It is instructive to look at what happened to another country that was almost totally Christian. It very quickly became a country that let 6 millions Jews be killed. At that time the state church had overwhelming influence. So, why did this happen? In a “Letter to the America Church” (used generically), Eric Metaxas has detailed the failure of the churches and their members to stand up for what is right. It is a warming to what will happen in the U.S.
In our own time, Chuck Colson drafted the “Manhattan Declaration: A Call of the Christian Conscience” and released in Nov. 20, 2009. (3) While addressing moral decline generally, here are two paragraphs from the declaration:
“While the whole scope of Christian moral concern, including a special concern for the poor and vulnerable, claims our attention, we are especially troubled that in our nation today the lives of the unborn, the disabled, and the elderly are severely threatened; that the institution of marriage, already buffeted by promiscuity, infidelity and divorce, is in jeopardy of being redefined to accommodate fashionable ideologies; that freedom of religion and the rights of conscience are gravely jeopardized by those who would use the instruments of coercion to compel persons of faith to compromise their deepest convictions.
Because the sanctity of human life, the dignity of marriage as a union of husband and wife, and the freedom of conscience and religion are foundational principles of justice and the common good, we are compelled by our Christian faith to speak and act in their defense. In this declaration we affirm: 1) the profound, inherent, and equal dignity of every human being as a creature fashioned in the very image of God, possessing inherent rights of equal dignity and life; 2) marriage as a conjugal union of man and woman, ordained by God from the creation, and historically understood by believers and non-believers alike, to be the most basic institution in society and; 3) religious liberty, which is grounded in the character of God, the example of Christ, and the inherent freedom and dignity of human beings created in the divine image.”
The Declaration states it is the responsibility for all Christians to resist any government laws that contradict God’s laws with civil disobedience if necessary. The latest statistic in 2015 had 550,130 signatures.
The topic of my essays for the next few weeks will attempt to address the subject “Morals in the Public Square.” This will include the responsibilities and limitations of Christians in the public square.
(1)https://news.gallup.com/poll/506960/views-state-moral-values-new-low.aspx
(2)https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2022/09/13/modeling-the-future-of-religion-in-america/
(3)Manhattan Declaration
Prof. Nored
Commentary: The Current State of Morality
The Current State of Morality
What is the current state of morality in the U.S? According to a recent Gallop poll:
Americans’ rating of the state of moral values in the U.S. and their outlook for morality in the future are at their most negative points in 22 years of measurement. (1) All you have to do is look around you to see the decline. It is evident in the popular entertainment venues, in laws making what was immoral behavior legal, in news stories of what seems like daily happenings, and in some churches accepting into participation and leadership those practicing immoral behavior.
The United States is increasingly becoming a post-Christian country. In 1972, 90% of Americans were Christian. In 2020, only 64% were. By 2020, Christians will constitute a maximum of 50% with some projections approaching 30%. (2) Martha’s poem addresses our countries status and is entitled “Shame.”
Why is this? Do individual Christians have any responsibility for what is happening? Do congregations have any responsibility for this decline?
But, you say, we have responsibility for letting immoral behavior continue in our own congregation, but not what happens in the public square and in our culture. Is this really true?”
It is instructive to look at what happened to another country that was almost totally Christian. It very quickly became a country that let 6 millions Jews be killed. At that time the state church had overwhelming influence. So, why did this happen? In a “Letter to the America Church” (used generically), Eric Metaxas has detailed the failure of the churches and their members to stand up for what is right. It is a warming to what will happen in the U.S.
In our own time, Chuck Colson drafted the “Manhattan Declaration: A Call of the Christian Conscience” and released in Nov. 20, 2009. (3) While addressing moral decline generally, here are two paragraphs from the declaration:
“While the whole scope of Christian moral concern, including a special concern for the poor and vulnerable, claims our attention, we are especially troubled that in our nation today the lives of the unborn, the disabled, and the elderly are severely threatened; that the institution of marriage, already buffeted by promiscuity, infidelity and divorce, is in jeopardy of being redefined to accommodate fashionable ideologies; that freedom of religion and the rights of conscience are gravely jeopardized by those who would use the instruments of coercion to compel persons of faith to compromise their deepest convictions.
Because the sanctity of human life, the dignity of marriage as a union of husband and wife, and the freedom of conscience and religion are foundational principles of justice and the common good, we are compelled by our Christian faith to speak and act in their defense. In this declaration we affirm: 1) the profound, inherent, and equal dignity of every human being as a creature fashioned in the very image of God, possessing inherent rights of equal dignity and life; 2) marriage as a conjugal union of man and woman, ordained by God from the creation, and historically understood by believers and non-believers alike, to be the most basic institution in society and; 3) religious liberty, which is grounded in the character of God, the example of Christ, and the inherent freedom and dignity of human beings created in the divine image.”
The Declaration states it is the responsibility for all Christians to resist any government laws that contradict God’s laws with civil disobedience if necessary. The latest statistic in 2015 had 550,130 signatures.
The topic of my essays for the next few weeks will attempt to address the subject “Morals in the Public Square.” This will include the responsibilities and limitations of Christians in the public square.
(1)https://news.gallup.com/poll/506960/views-state-moral-values-new-low.aspx
(2)https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2022/09/13/modeling-the-future-of-religion-in-america/
(3)Manhattan Declaration
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