Calvin Synod Herald, 1998 (98. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)

1998-11-01 / 6. szám

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD- 7 -AMERIKAI MAGYAR REFORMATUSOKLAfJA

The Real Generation Gap

Marianne M. Jennings Professor of Legal and Ethical Studies Arizona State University

Reprinted from IMPRIMIS, a Publication of Hillsdale College • Hillsdale, Ml

Born in 1980, today’s college freshmen are part of “Generation X”. They came into the world long after Vietnam, Richard Nixon and Watergate. They do not know John Travolta has had two movie careers. Nor do they know what it’s like to live in a society in which marriage is the predominant social institution. Unfortunately, they do know about broken homes and “single-parent families.” And they know what it is like to be the children of child care because 67 percent of them have working mothers working outside their homes.

The members of Generation X know a lot about Madonna, Princess Diana, G.l. Jane, Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan and Mike Tyson. They know nothing about Kate Smith, Mother Theresa, Rosie the Riveter, John Wayne, Babe Ruth, and Audié Murphy. Almost without exception, their favorite role models are the type of celebrities seen on MTV, ESPN and the cover of People.

One disturbing poll reveals that nearly 100 percent of today’s youth can name the “Three Stooges”, but not even 1 percent can name three justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. Seventy-three percent want to start their own businesses, but 53 percent voted for small business foe Bill Clinton. Only 19 percent attend church regularly.

High technology demands more individual judgment and more moral accountability. Generation X boasts thousands of techno-wise youth. But it is missing real wisdom, informed by a strong education and a strong spiritual ethic. When I point this out to some of my colleagues, they say “Hey, don’t shove that Judeo-Christian stuff down our throats!” We don’t want that.” Then I remind them that this “stuff” exists everywhere, and that it has been considered vital to civil society for centuries. I challenge them to name one country in the world where bribery and cheating are legal and approved by the populace. I tell them to examine the most basic ethical principles of Moses and Jesus and compare them to those of Aristotle, Confucius and Mohammed. The major religions of the world are in agreement on certain universals that have stood the test of time.

One such standard of universal morality is what is referred to by Christians as the “Golden Rule”: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The same notion of fairness can be found in the basic tenets of Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism and even in philosophy in the form of Kant’s “categorical imperative”. Throughout time, this simple test of ethics has been recognized in various cultures as a means of preserving civility, decency and morality. Its beauty lies in its simplicity. Its profundity lies in its universal recognition

and adherence.

When I graduated from law school, a speaker offered nine words I have never forgotten: “Truth is violated by falsehood but outraged by silence.” The past 25 years have been filled with falsehoods about our history and our culture. Generation X has never lived in a time of truth. Condemning immorality has become virtually the only sin, so it has not even witnessed the courage of conviction. We have been silent as an entire generation has seen truth repeatedly violated.

There is a difference between holding beliefs and being valiant in defending beliefs. As parents, struggling to close the generation gap, we must be valiant in defending our beliefs. Indeed, this is a call to action for all who guide our youth and offer them instruction. When immorality and adultery are described as “private” and therefore “irrelevant” in the public square, with no impact on character and leadership, we must shout from the rooftops, “Personal conduct is character! Character does matter!” When the lessons of history, literature, science and religion are distorted, attacked, or lost in the shuffle, we must rescue them. It is time to break our silence and confront those who have perpetrated so many myths, so much fraud, and so little substance for so long.

It is still possible to reclaim Generation X from the hopelessly flawed indoctrination it has experienced. But reclaiming our children will require the type of introspection that results in moral courage and is followed by the expression of moral outrage. One of my students commented to me at the end of a semester, “You’ve dispelled so many myths. Now I know morality in business is not a crime.” And I responded, “It’s even better, son. Neither is the moral life a sin.” Breaking our silence will allow truth to emerge, and its rare and illuminating quality will attract the attention and devotion of a generation trained and raised in amoral darkness.

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John Glenn’s Mission

“Glenn’s courageous return to space demonstrates that aging need not be feared, but embraced and enjoyed.”

Stephanie Lederman - New York City

Do You Know Your Faith?

Continued from Page 5

P - Perseverance Of The Saints -The Calvinists believed that salvation is entirely the work of the Lord, and that man has absolutely nothing to do with the process. The saints will persevere because God will see to it that He will finish the work He has begun.

Maintaining a Bible-centered balance in these difficult issues is of great importance. We believe in the perseverance of the saints (true believers),

but are deeply concerned about sinful lifestyles and rebellious hearts among those who call themselves "Christians." We don't have all the answers to these matters, but we desire to be faithful to the Lord and His word.

Seek those things that produce the loving nature of Jesus in our lives. I would rather have the wrong facts and a right attitude, than right facts and a wrong attitude. God can change my understanding of the facts in a moment, but it often takes a lifetime to effect changes of attitude.