AMERICA'S MORAL DECLINE, By Wendell Ingram

The declining condition of morality in our nation was clearly demonstrated in a recent court case of a teacher in Everman, Texas. The teacher was charged with exchanging sexually explicit text messages with a 13 year old female student in 2012. On February 10th of this year the charges were dropped by the Tarrant County prosecutors based on a ruling in October, 2013 by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals which found that such behavior is "constitutionally protected". Yes, this nine member court of appeals in one of the most conservative states in our union ruled unanimously that the actions of this teacher were protected by our constitution.

Freedom of speech which is guaranteed by our constitution and once stood as a cornerstone of our civil and religious liberty, for the last several years has been used to protect the immoral speech and conduct of our citizenry. The right to free speech is now successfully used to protect sexual predators who seek to exploit our children and grandchildren. What is happening in our nation? What kind of people are we becoming? What kind of people would allow their youth to be exploited while protecting the rights of the predators? The word the Bible uses to describe such a society is "depraved".

In Romans 1:28 we are told: "...Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness,... The apostle Paul makes clear in the passage the connection between rejecting the knowledge of God and the depravity that naturally follows. Our founding fathers understood this principle taught in the first chapter of Romans. Consider some of the quotes from our founders:

"It is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundatioon of a free constitution is pure virtue." -John Adams, Second President of the United States, to Zabdiel Adams on June 21, 1776.

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion ...Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." (Source: John Adams, Second President of the United States, October 11, 1798.)

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of man and citizens." -George Washington, First President of the United States, in his Farewell Address to the United States in 1796.

"Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt." -Samuel Adams, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, quote from a political essay published in The Public Advertiser, 1749.

"Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure, (and) which denounces against the wicked eternal misery, and (which) insured to the good eternal happiness, are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments." -Charles Carroll, signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Our founders understood from history and from Scripture that only a moral people can truly be free and only a godly people can truly be moral. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence stated: "The only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty..."

Our founders knew that no man-made constitution or set of laws can produce the morality required to maintain liberty. They warned that when nations become immoral and corrupt they can only be governed by tyranny. Benjamin Franklin put it this way: "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters."

What is to be the destiny of our nation if we continue moving away from God and toward depravity? The Bible and world history both give a clear answer to this question. A more important question we should all consider is this: "What can we do to save our society from these declining moral conditions and the inevitable consequences?" The answer to this question is simple...we must learn, live, and teach the principles of God's Word. This is the only remedy for our moral decline and the only path to the righteousness that can again exalt our nation. -Wendell Ingram

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.  -Proverbs 14:34