The Amorality of a Godless Age

In the days when I felt quite differently about such things, I went to a Rock Gig in Manchester, with a friend of mine. The gig (I think) was organised by the NME and was a showcase for up and coming new bands. One of those bands was "Lost Prophets."

 

 Paedophile Ian Watkins.



 

The recent revelations about the depraved and sickening conduct of "Lost Prophets" singer Ian Watkins and his subsequent trial and conviction for the sexual abuse of children, are shocking reminders of the times in which we live. Perhaps even more shocking are the young women involved in these crimes, whose folly lead to the abuse of their own children. All this at the hands of a man who, as yet, has shown no remorse. In fact he seems to be arrogantly indifferent to the pain and suffering he has caused and incapable of empathy. What are the factors that have combined to produce a criminal like Watkins? What circumstances, temptations and influences could strip a mother's instincts of natural affection for her own children? In Romans Chapter one, the Apostle Paul wrote about a society that had exchanged the truth of God for a lie:

 

"Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." Romans 1:29-32

 

A morality that is detached from God is subjective and false; it invests a level of trust that cannot be qualified, takes no account of dysfunctionality and is inherently unstable.

 

Dr William Lane Craig said, "Traditional moral values have been based in God, who is the highest good. But if God does not exist, what is the basis of moral values?" He further comments, "Science is morally neutral; you can't find moral values in a test tube." (On Guard - Craig)

 

There are a number of factors that we must address as a nation, before such cases become less and less isolated and more and more frequent. Britain needs to learn again the meaning of words like duty, respect, self-control, faithfulness, sobriety, honour and righteousness. We need to become aware that a whole generation is growing up Biblically ignorant and entertainment obsessed. We need to understand that the moral corruption of  young people especially, is dangerous and destructive for them and ultimately for society as a whole.

 

 

Here are some points that ought to be considered:

 

Pornography 

Pornography takes its name from the Greek word "Porneia," referring to 'illicit sexual intercourse, fornication, Homosexuality etc.'  Because of advancements in technology, individuals are now able to access extremely graphic images without having to give proof of age, or summon up the courage to visit some seedy back-street shop. In fact with the advent of High Street-friendly sex shops like Anne Summers, the lusts of the flesh are now almost completely socially respectable. Cable TV packages offer so-called "Adult" channels and who knows what the man (or woman) sat next to you on the train may be accessing from the ease of his mobile phone. 

 

The Sexualisation of Children 

Through the media, both adults and children are repeatedly confronted with images of scantily clad models, many in their early teens. In October 2010 an Asda store in Sheffield was compelled to remove a display of padded bras for young girls from their children's section. Hardly a week goes by without the national press homing in on so-and-so's "raunchy" new video, or revealing outfit. It is unhelpful that many of these "stars" have a fan-base that includes young children, who have been exposed to their music through "family" entertainment shows, put out by TV companies long before the watershed.



 

Entertainment 

There can be few industries (with the possible exception of professional football) that actively promote bad behaviour, yet the Rock Music Industry is surely one of them. Rebellion, drunkenness, fornication, arrogance, drug abuse, perversion; it is almost expected of the wannabe rock star. Whilst the taking of injurious chemical substances undoubtedly does lead to a loss of self control and erratic and foolish behaviour, it is perhaps further driven by subscribing to a philosophy that is largely hedonistic, narcissistic and bohemian in nature. 

 

Evil

Many fans of "Lost Prophets" have been stunned by the revelations about Watkins' secret life, not least his own band-mates; yet there is one element missing from the picture that combines with all the others to produce the truly monstrous; that is the existence of spiritual wickedness.

 

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12

 

The depth of depravity of mankind reaches such levels of perversion and devilishness, we must understand that there are two sources of supernatural power in the universe, and only two. One is God and the other is the Devil.

 

Children

Until the world learns to truly value children and not regard them as fashion accessories, or the inconvenient products of their own lack of chastity; until parents value their inquisitiveness, their honesty, their simple and fragile dignity and yes, their faith; then children will continue to be the victims of ruthless and wicked adults. 

 

"Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Romans 12:19

 

God is the avenger of the weak and He will repay the unrepentant for such evil. There is more than one level to hell and for those that forget God, one shudders to imagine how deep and dark and heavy, are the chains of endless torment, that await those that take pleasure in harming children.

 

Paul Jennings.