Have you noticed ... ?

Has anyone else noticed that there is an undercurrent of disrespect and malevolence in people today?  Day by day, wherever I look, I see disdain toward those they do not agree with, whether it be political, social, or religious differences. 

Somewhere within the last 20 to 30 years [from my observation] society has perpetuated a self-centered attitude that has quickly shifted to selfishness.  Corruption seems to be the new normal.  Bullying has always been around (I experienced it when I was young); except now there seems to be a boundless amount of uncontrollable hatred and violence that seems pathological.

I am not about to try to explain why this is happening. Some like to blame social networking, while others say it’s the violence on TV or video games. There are many theories and ideas on the subject. Recently I read that the diversity of income between the ‘have’ and the ‘have not’s’ is contributing to society’s ills. Really?

I do wonder if [in part] our schools have helped in contributing to societal ills when they consider protecting children’s ‘self-esteem’ so important that all hindrances and obstacles are removed, like - failure. Many of  our sport teams (for the younger children) no longer keep score can't have any  hurt feelings. You won’t see any A+ papers hanging on the bulletin board in our children’s class room (can’t allow those with less than perfect scores feel bad about themselves). 

Perhaps we have done a disservice to America’s children; instead of helping children learn to traverse the outside world, the education system has contributed to making kids feel that the world revolves around them. This maintains the [false] belief that their ‘feelings’ are what matters the most.  As they grow into adults maybe it becomes difficult for these individuals to consider other peoples interests at all and when they are told that they now have a responsibility [legally] towards protecting the interests of others it's more than they can comprehend and therefore cannot respect others with different [beliefs, ideas, or political affiliation] from themselves.  

Somewhere through the [recent] years we have lost the ability to regard others that we do not agree with civility. Instead people are treated with contempt and crudeness. 

I recently watched a video of a street preacher sharing the gospel in Salem, Massachusetts, when a little girl approached him and began repeatedly shouting at him. 

"Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah! … Stop talking. No one listens!” she continued harassing him saying. “Shut it. Pie holes should be quiet!” 

Where were her parents? I would have strongly reprimanded my child for such ignorant and insulting behavior. Why are parents [and society] unable to understand that to take away his right to preach on a public sidewalk, is the same right that enables her to speak?

Because each of us as Americans should be respectful even if we don't agree with the message. As long as the messenger is speaking civilly; his right to do so needs to be recognized and protected.

We in America have lost so much more then we have gained in recent years because we have failed to understand the basic principles that gave us freedom. Ours was not a country to make everyone comply, but it was a country where ones principles and beliefs could be expressed freely.

Remember, when laws are passed to give someone 'a right' there is someone that now no longer has 'a right'. 

 So many have sacrificed  for our country, let's not become so introspective that we are unable to empathize with others.

2 Timothy 3: 1-5 You should know this... there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing scared. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!