COLUMN: Media show worldwide moral decline
Amidst the fantastic coverage of news and sports published in The Utah Statesman, there has always come shockingly to my attention certain opinion columns which have promoted promiscuity, homosexuality, premarital sex, the viewing of pornography and a general disdain for anything virtuous or wholesome in society.
Let me be clear that I hold no ill will towards the author or towards The Utah Statesman for publishing these opinions. Voltaire, said, “I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” In other words, certain author’s opinions are simply that – opinions. While I defend someone’s right to their opinion, I can’t in good conscience allow them to spew debauchery and filth without some kind of rebuttal. I can’t allow a person to actively preach about how great pornography is or how fantastic it would be if we all tried out homosexuality and not stand up and say something!
And now, more than ever, we must be heard, right? Anyone who has even picked up a newspaper in the past few years, turned on a television set or who hasn’t actively and forcibly tried to put their head deeper and deeper into sand can tell that there’s something going on with the world and things are quickly spinning out of control.
I mean, can you imagine what would happen if the views that have previously been preached from this platform were the norm? Can you imagine if the norm was to openly view pornography? Do you have any idea the rate of sexual crimes and deviances that begin with pornography? Sometime when you have a spare half hour, why don’t you Youtube “Ted Bundy last interview” and see what pornography did to inspire this particular serial killer of more than 30 women including a little girl from Utah.
What about another issue previously discussed in this very newspaper – premarital sex and promiscuity? This is increasingly becoming the norm in our society. It is glamorized in the media and in movies and even those of us who still claim to have standards and values often support the industry that promotes it. Oftentimes we see a superhero on the big screen that is capable of doing no wrong. He is strong, muscular, handsome, intelligent and rich. He saves lives and stops bad guys and rescues the town from imminent destruction. He’s a real hero and we all love him and wish he weren’t just a story. But wait! Mr. Perfect Hero takes no issue with “making love” – as if love were made in such ways – after a mere couple of minutes of knowing his brand new play thing known as “woman.” Generally, Mr. Perfect Hero picks them up and dumps them like they were a play toy or a ragdoll.
What’s incredible to me is that women in our world will fight tooth and nail for feminist movements and “women’s rights,” particularly to “their own bodies,” but they aren’t disgusted and mortified by the fact that those same bodies are increasingly treated like playthings on the big screen. And yes, we as a world are accepting it more and more.
Another idea which we heard from a previous author’s column platform is that we should embrace homosexuality. Can you imagine if homosexuality were the norm? We would die out as a race in a single generation. Yes, just one. Interestingly enough, if you track the rise and fall of Rome, Pompeii or any other major civilization in history, sexual promiscuity and homosexuality do become the norm right before they destroy themselves. Why, then, should we embrace it?
What we have to realize is this: If we don’t uphold our standards and start standing up and speaking out against immorality – if we don’t start using some common sense – then we will get what we deserve. These things will become the norm. There is no question whatsoever about that.
This campus – this community, this nation – was on fire with opinions from both sides of the issues when it was election time. Now, many of us are too afraid of what others may think to even give them our opinion. Some of us are too lazy or just too busy, but common sense tells us that if we don’t stand up for something, then we will fall for everything. Common sense requires us to speak out to our friends and neighbors about returning to the high standards that used to make America the envy of the world. Common sense cries out for people who are willing give of their time and energy to help others and to love their neighbor. Common sense begs us not to let immorality become the norm. Common sense pleads for good people everywhere to make a difference: people like you. Make the difference.
– Richard Winters is a senior majoring in Law and Constitution Studies and Communication Studies. Send comments to rajin82@hotmail.com.