Is Canadian society getting meaner? Year by year, it seems people are getting less civil to one another. Is it any wonder why? Angry music and ultraviolent movies have made being kind and courteous uncool behaviour. Hip-hop stars and movie directors are the usual suspects, almost too obvious to mention.
There are hundreds of other less obvious influences that contribute to a society in which we find both less respect of others—and more ruthless promotion of self-interests.
Just watch the highlight reel from an NHL game. Half of the recap will be devoted to the goals scored and the other half to every one of the bruising fights that broke out on the ice. For some reason, society relishes seeing talented, disciplined young men reduced to punching one another just as much as seeing them perform astonishing athletic feats.
Athletes were once revered as role models for our young people. There is no allegiance or loyalty anymore. Many athletes change teams more often than some people change their socks. Why? Money!
And so today the sports world is plagued with the abuse of illegal substances, cheating, gambling, and lying. Some well-known individuals who should be the role models are at the top of the list. It’s a sad commentary when a TV analyst says, “Everybody cheats; it’s just part of the game.”
It’s a world full of road rage, gang wars, disrespect for the elderly, and a lack of respect for law and order. The justice system is broken, and our government is out of step with reality. Sadly, we seem to be living in an era when the angry man or woman is rewarded. The lowly and the meek, it seems, aren’t cut out for the job.
Several centuries ago a prophet wrote these words: “Truth is missing. Those who turn away from evil make themselves victims. The LORD sees it, and he’s angry because there’s no justice” (Isaiah 59:15, God’s Word). Those words are as applicable today as when the prophet first penned them.
If the apostle Paul were alive today, he might very well have written the same words he wrote to the evangelist Timothy almost 2,000 years ago: “You must understand this: In the last days there will be violent periods of time. People will be selfish and love money. They will brag, be arrogant, and use abusive language. They will curse their parents, show no gratitude, have no respect for what is holy, and lack normal affection for their families. They will refuse to make peace with anyone. They will be slanderous, lack self-control, be brutal, and have no love for what is good. They will be traitors. They will be reckless and conceited. They will love pleasure rather than God. They will appear to have a godly life, but they will not let its power change them. Stay away from such people” (2 Timothy 3:1-5, God’s Word).
As society seems to spiral out of control, we would do well to recognize this is the world in which we live. We must be even more zealous in our desire to see a change—a change that can only be brought about because of the great sacrifice of God’s only begotten Son (John 3:16).
