A Culture of Death

In the wake of the appalling murders by two teenagers in Littleton, Colorado, many of us, in the words of one television reporter last night, are desperately searching for the answers that somehow elude us. Is it really that difficult? Consider the following:

• We have banned any mention of religion, morality, or right and wrong from our public schools. A New York teacher who prays with her students after a disturbing experience is dismissed. An Albuquerque teacher is also dismissed for including too many Christian songs in his school's Christmas--oops--Winter Concert. It's called "separation of church and state."

• A major TV network broadcasts the tape of a so-called "doctor" killing another man. It's called "compassion" and "freedom of the press."

• A President abuses women, lies to a court under oath and to the American people, and attempts to obstruct justice. It's excused by most of our politicians and media because it's "just about sex."

• Our children are taught that Paganism , Witchcraft and Satanism are just as relevant as Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It's called "multiculturalism."

• Our children are also taught that there are no absolute moral standards, that "right" and "wrong" are always relative, and that one value system is as good as another. It's called "cultural relativism."

Should we really be shocked, then, when some take what they've been taught literally? Oh, but there's the guns. Fine. Eliminate the guns. We will not eliminate the killing. Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, and a host of others managed to do lots of killing without guns. The truth is, many of our children today live in a culture totally bereft of morals or standards or any sense of right and wrong. John Paul II has termed it the Culture of Death. That is our answer.

22 April 1999

Letter to the Albuquerque Journal

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