Broken

   From all indications our society is broken.  We no longer have the values and beliefs that allow for society to prosper and it shows in all aspects of life.

   Television shows used to portray wholesome, family experiences.  Mom and Dad loved each other, and the kids and the kids loved their parents.  There was little evidence of unhappiness and fighting in the family.  Even when squabbles occurred they most often taught a lesson about how to get along with others.

   Television today rarely depicts a complete, loving family.   If children are even included they are usually sullen, disrespectful and full of self.  They come by that naturally since the parents are narcissistic and demeaning of one another, showing little evidence of true marital love.

   While the television shows I remember presented an idealized view of family life, today’s shows give little indication that married life can be happy and joyful.  Those old shows taught that a loving family could rise above the complications and difficulties.  Even when marriage is portrayed today it is usually dysfunctional and on the brink of falling apart.

   We shouldn’t wonder why there is so little respect for one another and for what used to be called the norms of society.  Those norms have become abnormal and abandoned.  Between 1960 and 1980 the divorce rate increased from 9.2 to 22.6 divorces per 1000 marriages and has continued to rise.  The “free love” and “if it feels good, do it” attitudes began in the mid to late 1960’s bringing with them no-fault divorce and abortion.

   Society is built upon the family structure.  Without respect for family and each other it cannot survive.  We must become vocal and persistent in our efforts to rebuild proper societal values, including respect for human life from conception to natural death.  We must bring God back to our society.

Father our society is broken.

Too many ignore Your ways.

Strengthen us to fight this battle.

To restore Your place in society.

Amen