Is decency outmoded in 2009?

By: Chris Johnson

Personal note:

Is decency outmoded in 2009?
As you would know coming from me, that’s a rhetorical question.
I deal with that question in our January newsletter.

Here’s a couple of points.

With the onslaught of pornography, obscenity and indecency engulfing our every day worlds, it is easy to think that decency is outmoded. On occasion I have had people say upon hearing the name of our organization “American Decency Association.” Are you kidding? Satan and his minions would have you and I believe that decency is old fashioned, corny, prudish. Decency is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as conformity to standards of taste, propriety, or quality.

The Free Dictionary Online defines decency as “conformity to prevailing standards of propriety or modesty.”

I believe the battle for decency goes along with the battle for Truth, righteousness, holiness. There are untold numbers of individuals, institutions and, associations continually attacking that which pleases and honors God, including decency.

The word decency is not found in the Bible though it seems clear that decency is an aspect of such Biblical terms as holiness and modesty. The definition described above by the Free Dictionary Online states “conformity to prevailing standards of propriety or modesty”.

I submit that the final authority is God and God’s Word! It is to His standard that we need to continually look. Christ is the standard bearer. God’s Word is the standard for all of life.God desires that his people honor, obey, love, walk in His Word and proclaim His Word to those around them.In doing so the body of Christ is being the salt and light of the world and is setting the pace in establishing and/or re-establishing standards of propriety or modesty. As the body of Christ falters or fails at being
salt and light, the standard of propriety or modesty declines and/or is swept away.

Christ tells us in Matthew 5:13-15:

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”

When I was a teacher, for years I placed on my bulletin board a poster and would make effort to instill it in the children that I taught. The words of the poster say this:

Will The Real You Please Stand Up?

“Submit to pressure from peers and you move down to their level. Speak up for your own beliefs and you invite them up to your level. If you move with the crowd, you’ll get no further than the crowd. When 40 million people believe in a dumb idea, it’s still a dumb idea. Simply swimming with the tide leaves you nowhere. So if you believe in somthing that’s good, honest and bright- stand up for it. Maybe your peers will get smart and drift your way.”

For entire article and newsletter:
https://americandecency.org/resources/newsletters/2009/nwjanuary09.pdf

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In closing, this word for those in the greater Fremont, Michigan area:

If you could put this in your church bulletins-mailbox on January 11 that would be great.

By popular demand, American Decency will be showing the movie “FIREPROOF” at least one more time.

“FIREPROOF” will be shown free of charge with complimentary refreshments provided on Friday, January 16 at 7:00 pm. Location: American Decency, 203 E. Main Street, Fremont (across from Fremont High School).

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To donate online:
https://americandecency.org/folder.php?f=donate
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American Decency Association
Bill Johnson, President
P.O. Box 202
Fremont, MI 49412
ph: 231-924-4050
https://americandecency.org

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