A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Vomitorium

[WilliamOK]

You are correct. There is nothing new under the sun and yes these things have always gone one but not to the degree they are happening today and that much of this is happening at the same time.

I have been around long enough now that I can say there is a horrendous difference in society in the last 40 - 50 years. These things continue to grow and grow. It is not that they haven’t been around but it is that we are now saying “it is okay.”

Just the fact that we are even discussing these things and talking about it as if it as normal as the air we breathe and that this conversation is going on, on this forum is proof enough that it is so much worse.

Thank you. I agree that the key is that today we are in various ways saying these sins are ok. And I think as long as sin is unopposed, sin only begets more and more sin. The devil does not “play nice”. He is stronger than we are, but we have the weapons of truth and faith that can protect us and even defeat his designs - if we have the awareness to use them.

Here is a favorite quote of mine from an encyclical of Leo XIII, Sapientiae Christianae, or On Christians As Citizens (sometimes also translated “Christian Wisdom”). I think it is as timely today as the day it was written:

"1. From day to day it becomes more and more evident how needful it is that the principles of Christian wisdom should ever be borne in mind, and that the life, the morals, and the institutions of nations should be wholly conformed to them. For, when these principles have been disregarded, evils so vast have accrued that no right-minded man can face the trials of the time being without grave anxiety or consider the future without alarm. …

1. But in this same matter, touching Christian faith, there are other duties whose exact and religious observance, necessary at all times in the interests of eternal salvation, become more especially so in these our days. Amid such reckless and widespread folly of opinion, it is, as We have said, the office of the Church to undertake the defense of truth and uproot errors from the mind, and this charge has to be at all times sacredly observed by her, seeing that the honor of God and the salvation of men are confided to her keeping. But, when necessity compels, not those only who are invested with power of rule are bound to safeguard the integrity of faith, but, as St. Thomas maintains: “Each one is under obligation to show forth his faith, either to instruct and encourage others of the faithful, or to repel the attacks of unbelievers.” To recoil before an enemy, or to keep silence when from all sides such clamors are raised against truth, is the part of a man either devoid of character or who entertains doubt as to the truth of what he professes to believe. In both cases such mode of behaving is base and is insulting to God, and both are incompatible with the salvation of mankind. This kind of conduct is profitable only to the enemies of the faith, for nothing emboldens the wicked so greatly as the lack of courage on the part of the good. Moreover, want of vigor on the part of Christians is so much the more blameworthy, as not seldom little would be needed on their part to bring to naught false charges and refute erroneous opinions, and by always exerting themselves more strenuously they might reckon upon being successful. After all, no one can be prevented from putting forth that strength of soul which is the characteristic of true Christians, and very frequently by such display of courage our enemies lose heart and their designs are thwarted. Christians are, moreover, born for combat, whereof the greater the vehemence, the more assured, God aiding, the triumph: “Have confidence; I have overcome the world.”(13) Nor is there any ground for alleging that Jesus Christ, the Guardian and Champion of the Church, needs not in any manner the help of men. Power certainly is not wanting to Him, but in His loving kindness He would assign to us a share in obtaining and applying the fruits of salvation procured through His grace."
   w2.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_10011890_sapientiae-christianae.html

 

[otjm]

I think the message “love is love” and other things will lead to more sexual deviancy as long as two people are consenting. I do not know what but it can’t be good

You are a day late (although not a dollar short) on this one.

About 2 1/2 years ago I was listening to Public Radio on several road trips (one of the few stations I could get in the area).

The first program was interviewing a woman in San Francisco, who was talking about the “up and coming thing”, which was polyamory. I was a bit taken aback that the discussion was on Public Radio. Within two weeks, I heard another program; this one interviewing a woman attorney on the same subject. Her comment, made very mater-of-factly, was that they had been watching the progression of the “gay rights” issue, and they were taking notes. That is, they intended to follow the same process; gradually bring it to public attention, and then use the court system, as the gays have done, to legitimize it. And she seemed to think that they would be successful as barriers to traditional marriage were broken down.

What was not said, but which one could certainly surmise, is that this is not exactly something new, and that there is a means of interconnection among a sizeable group of people who wish to engage in such behavior.

 

[mikekle]

Im not trying to change the subject, but the only area I can think of that has basically remained the same, is network TV, think about it, they STILL censor out fairly common, even benign curse words, it still very taboo for them to show ANY type of nudity, plus, its extremely rare, even though modern society has pretty much gone to hell in a handbasket in many regards, I would have thought by now, it would be common to hear the F word and every other curse word under the sun being said on every network channel there is, but for some strange reason, this industry has stuck to its morals…??

Even at later hours, 2-3am, I cant think of ANY networks that allow the ‘big’ curse words, or any type of nudity…so it seems the Pentecostals run network tv…LOL

Anyone ever notice this, or wonder why this is the case?

 

[JimG]

Im not trying to change the subject, but the only area I can think of that has basically remained the same, is network TV, think about it, they STILL censor out fairly common, even benign curse words, it still very taboo for them to show ANY type of nudity, plus, its extremely rare, even though modern society has pretty much gone to hell in a handbasket in many regards, I would have thought by now, it would be common to hear the F word and every other curse word under the sun being said on every network channel there is, but for some strange reason, this industry has stuck to its morals…??

Even at later hours, 2-3am, I cant think of ANY networks that allow the ‘big’ curse words, or any type of nudity…so it seems the Pentecostals run network tv…LOL

Anyone ever notice this, or wonder why this is the case?

Sounds like a great reason for dumping cable and sticking with broadcast TV.

 

[mikekle]

Sounds like a great reason for dumping cable and sticking with broadcast TV.

Basic cable is the exact same thing though…the only exception would be the movie channels, like HBO, showtime, but theres a only a few of these, all the other basic cable channels have very very strict rules about any type of curse words or nudity, even though we are living in a depraved society…Ive never understood why this one single area has stuck to its morals, not to mention, this is semi-hollywood too, and we all know what kind of morals they have, that just makes it more strange…??

Why and how could this ONE single area be immune from the rest of societies fall into depravity?

Even the shows that most people think of as crude and degrading, are getting to the point of being actually moral and decent, for instance, the Simpsons, this show has long been viewed as gross, degrading, and immoral, Personally, I dont care for this show, but I used to watch it back when it first came out, and from time to time, I do watch the new episodes, if theres nothing else on at the time, Ive noticed in the show, the characters stick to basic morals, one recent episode Homer had a chance to date, and run off with a supermodel who was in love with him, at first he was gloating about it, but when the time came for him to ‘be with her’, he started thinking of his wife Marge, and their kids, so he did the right thing and came back home, never even touching the other girl…???

Theres many other similar situations portrayed in shows like this where the characters stick to basic morals…so again, why would this be happening when the rest of society is going in the opposite direction?

 

[JimG]

Basic cable is the exact same thing though…the only exception would be the movie channels, like HBO, showtime, but theres a only a few of these, all the other basic cable channels have very very strict rules about any type of curse words or nudity, even though we are living in a depraved society…Ive never understood why this one single area has stuck to its morals, not to mention, this is semi-hollywood too, and we all know what kind of morals they have, that just makes it more strange…??

Why and how could this ONE single area be immune from the rest of societies fall into depravity?

Even the shows that most people think of as crude and degrading, are getting to the point of being actually moral and decent, for instance, the Simpsons, this show has long been viewed as gross, degrading, and immoral, Personally, I dont care for this show, but I used to watch it back when it first came out, and from time to time, I do watch the new episodes, if theres nothing else on at the time, Ive noticed in the show, the characters stick to basic morals, one recent episode Homer had a chance to date, and run off with a supermodel who was in love with him, at first he was gloating about it, but when the time came for him to ‘be with her’, he started thinking of his wife Marge, and their kids, so he did the right thing and came back home, never even touching the other girl…???

Theres many other similar situations portrayed in shows like this where the characters stick to basic morals…so again, why would this be happening when the rest of society is going in the opposite direction?

Maybe I just don’t watch enough TV to know, but it has never struck me that television was having a return to morality. Maybe so. I think that cable TV’s days are numbered anyway, as more people go to broadcast TV or streaming.

 

[mikekle]

Maybe I just don’t watch enough TV to know, but it has never struck me that television was having a return to morality. Maybe so. I think that cable TV’s days are numbered anyway, as more people go to broadcast TV or streaming.

Oh, yes, they have actually gone a bit too far down the moral path, Ive seen on many occasions, network tv an cable channels will censor out even slightly offensive curse words, like ‘hell’ and a (the curse word that refers to ones rear end/butt, starts with an ‘A’)…this is crazy imo, those are not even offensive…??

 

[Spoken4]

Whatever you do, don’t become an atheist. They have no sense of humor whatsoever!

Oh, I wouldn’t say that! One of my good friends and communications team leaders is a staunch atheist, but his sense of humor is off the scale… he cracks me up more than just about anyone I know!

(And yes, I pray every day for him… as good and decent and MORAL as my friend is, I know that God is in his heart; my friend just hasn’t acknowledged it yet. If and when he ever does, he would make a great Catholic! St. Monica, St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Thomas the Apostle… pray for us and for all those who do not yet accept Christ)