Having seen too much –

By: American Decency Staff

… it is heart rending to consider what can and what is happening to those we love as they watch a little of this and then a little of that. … In the 1980s and early 90s we worked to pass obscenity legislation in the state of Michigan. In 1991, Gov. Engler signed the legislation into law. A side note: Alan Sears played a major role in the drafting of the legislation for us. It was a solid piece of legislation. Shortly after – in the early 90’s – there was an obscenity case involving a “mom and pop” video outlet out of Grand Haven, Michigan. The Ottawa County prosecutor brought charges against the owner regarding several XXX-rated video tapes. After an all week trial and the actual viewing of the video tapes by the seven person jury, the jury reached a decision on the Friday after less than 15 minutes of deliberation. The jury found the material not illegal (not obscene). This jury made their decision that the material was not against local community standard – with local standard being a statewide community standard. In other words, in the view of this seven person jury, these portrayals of oral, anal, ect., etc. would not be viewed as against community standard. This sent negative reverberations across the state as other prosecutors took on the view that if you can’t win a case against pornography in conservative Ottawa County, how do you expect us to win in our jurisdiction? (Lest you think that it is any different in your state, do you recall hearing about a prosecution against pornography in recent weeks, months, years?) I say all of this to say: There was and is a view that our population has seen too much – therefore it would be difficult to find such material as were in these XXX-rated videos (oral, anal, …, against the community standard). A reprobate mind? Regarding ourselves and those we love it is heart rending to consider what can and what is happening to those we love as they watch a little of this and then a little of that. Desperate Housewives Grey’s Anatomy Family Guy American Dad Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cosmopolitan (you could easily add to the list) What at first is repugnant, little by little becomes rationalized as okay even entertaining, real life, etc.. It’s impact upon this nation is devastating – individual by individual. Consider Roman 1 — vs. 19-20: God hath shown His reality to us. They are without excuse vs. 21: They knew God but they glorified Him not – they were not thankful – they became vain in their imaginations – foolish heart darkened vs. 22: Professing themselves wise they became fools vs. 24: God gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies vs. 25: Changed the truth into a lie – worship and serve the creature more than the Creator vs: 26: For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections – even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature vs: 27: Likewise the men … men with men working that which is unseemly vs: 28: They did not like to retain the knowledge of God in their hearts and minds – God gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient vs: 32: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do them anyway, but have pleasure in doing them. “… Here is the reason why we have a moral breakdown in every area of life. The titanic freedoms which we once enjoyed have been cut loose from their Christian restraints and are becoming a force of destruction leading to chaos. And when this happens, there really are very few alternatives. All morality becomes relative, law becomes arbitrary, and society moves toward disintegration. In personal and social life, compassion is swallowed up by self-interest. …” Dr. Francis A. Schaeffer Recently, I tried to draw attention to a message delivered by Dr. John MacArthur speaking at a National Day of Prayer event in Colorado Springs. His words reinforce warnings spoken by Schaeffer in the 1980s. MacArthur, as he concluded his powerful message, stated that God has abandoned America consistent with Romans 1. http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/grace_to_you/20070527/ MacArthur also draws this conclusion “… The only hope for this or any society is to hear the word of the Lord and obey it – to hear the word of the Lord and obey it. Donations accepted: https://secure4.afo.net/ada/main.php?f=donate/display9 American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 PH: 231-924-4050

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