Lamenting New Fashions
- Dec 28, 2009 - 1 -
Over the past few months, the New York Times ran two stories addressing what can best be described as gender-blurring, a behavior exhibited by a growing number of teenagers and young adults, particularly as it is reflected in their fashion choices.
In the Times’ Nov. 6 article, “Can a Boy Wear a Skirt to School?,” Diane Ehrensaft, a psychologist said, “For them, gender is a creative playing field.”
“Kids, even little kids, are experimenting across gender lines,” she said in a Nov. 18 article, adding, “Boys are wearing My Little Pony T-shirts, just because they like them. Sometimes they like to dress in the girls’ section because the shirts are cooler.”
This is yet one more sign that the fight for our children, families, and nation is reaching a fever pitch. There are few remaining cultural mores founded on Judeo-Christian values that are not threatened—to the point that some social commentators seem unfazed by the fact that we could be raising the first androgynous generation. It is surely symptomatic of a culture that has lost its way.
While standards and values are crumbling around us, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is committed to its call for the biblically based transformation of Christian families, churches, communities, and the nation.
We recognize the need to build back up the Judeo-Christian foundation of our nation. Our hearts ache for a popular culture that has rejected God and pursued its own will. In a world that grows increasingly antagonistic toward Christianity, we are working to protect our freedom to believe in, share, and illustrate the Gospel.
As John Adams said in 1798, “We have no government armed in power capable of contending in human passions unbridled by morality and religion… Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
In the New Year and beyond, we will continue to fulfill the task outlined for us by the Southern Baptist Convention—“to assist the churches by helping them understand the moral demands of the gospel, apply Christian principles to moral and social problems and questions of public policy, and to promote religious liberty.”
Furthermore, the staff of the ERLC is dedicated to being “above reproach” in our stewardship of the funds entrusted to us through the Cooperative Program and individual donors.
Now is the time to act. A generation is at risk. If the people of God do not privately and publicly demonstrate a life transformed by the power of Christ and lived in obedience to the Scripture, the world is standing ready to paint its own picture of success and happiness. And our families will suffer the consequences.
We encourage you to make a difference in the culture by becoming involved in life-changing and life-saving ministries in your church and community.
Most important, please join us in praying for our nation and its leaders, as we are commanded in God’s Word (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
In addition, please pray about how you can join the ERLC in our efforts to influence our country, from your city to the nation’s capitol. We count it a special blessing from God to be able to serve you and your family. As you are considering your end-of-year giving, we hope you will prayerfully consider the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission for your tax deductible gift.
We are grateful for your support and partnership. May the Lord strengthen us in our efforts and give you a joy-filled Christmas season.
Steadfast in His service,
Richard Land and the staff of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
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1 On Dec 31st, 2009, at 6:47am, Peggy Campbell wrote:
What I have found is one of the biggest problems of our youth is: “They expect privilege without responsibility which creates unrealistic expectations, self-worth and self confidence.” I found this in Focus on the Family magazine.In my case, the Department of Human Services aided in this unhealthy attitudes toward myself(the mother of a now 18 year old very selfish and lying daughter.) I’ve begged my Pastor to help with no avail.
I can’t understand these adults, my sister and mother (who both are Christians) who would rather not be bothered or appear to the teens as their allies, to the expence of the Youth.