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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
America: Land of Liars and Cheats?
Home Security companies are thriving while others are fading. Selling alarms, etc. is more profitable than more traditional merchandise. Americans are fearful of robbers and rapists—so afraid they spend billions of dollars to discourage such intrusions into their homes.
More than ever before we are afraid for our own and our family’s well being. Car manufacturers have spent millions on research to prevent our cars from being broken into or stolen. National surveys reveal that honesty and telling the truth are qualities now virtually obsolete in America’s cities and towns.
I don’t enjoy writing unpleasant and negative words, especially when they touch upon my life and yours. But let’s face it—America is full of liars and cheats, rapists and murderers, and the problem is getting worse by the hour. How do we know this is true? Americans have been admitting it for years.
Oh, other nations are having the same problems we are having, but we don’t live there—we live here, in America. The news is filled with stories about child kidnappings, robbery and theft, corporate corruption, cheating by schools, child abuse by “priests,” blue collar fraud, athletes who rape, murder and intimidate others…well, those are enough to prove our point.
What are we doing about it? We saw two national elections in which character and integrity were looked upon as having less significance than financial prosperity. Some are doing everything possible to remove moral standards from our educational institutions. And we are making more and more laws, hoping to motivate men and women to tell the truth, be nice to their neighbor, and be honest in their business dealings.
Ten years ago, a national survey was taken on the moral and ethical behavior of Americans. It was published in a book entitled, The Day America Told the Truth. Contemporaries of the survey, on reading its sad results, responded with the following words:
- New York Daily News: “Startling findings.”
- Alex Haley, author of Roots: “When I finished the book I didn’t know whether to shout …or run for the hills.”
- Denver Post: “EXTRAORDINARY STUDY… TANTALIZING AND STARTLING.”
Most of us realize that morals and ethical standards are either non-existent or out of control today. We do no one a favor to ignore or deny the facts. Honesty and integrity have taken a back seat to the “get-it-while-you-can-from-whoever-has-it” mindset. Yet God’s revelation mandates telling the truth (Ephesians 4:25), honest business dealings (Colossians 3:22-4:1), marital fidelity (Ephesians 5:1-33), kindly forbearing with friends and neighbors (Colossians 3:12-15), and pure speech (James 3:10-18).
Note some of the things Americans admitted about themselves, their peers and their leaders in the 90’s. It’s not a pretty picture, but we may need to see it:
- 91% of Americans admit to lying, and they lie to those closest to them—parents, spouses, children and siblings.
- 60% of Americans have been victims of major crimes. The United States is the most violent of all industrialized nations.
- A majority of Americans said they would not take care of their parents in their old age.
- America’s number one addictive drug is alcohol.
- The number one cause of business and economic decline is unethical behavior by corporate executives.
- The least moral occupations in America are “crime bosses, drug dealers and Congressmen.”
- For enough money, some Americans admit they would abandon their family (25%), kill a stranger (7%), put their children up for adoption (3%), become prostitutes for a week or more (23%), and give up their citizenship (16%).
- One third of our population has contemplated suicide.
- Women are morally superior to men, all over the country.
- The majority of Americans are malingerers, substance abusers or procrastinators.
Remember—these figures represent the 90’s. Also note that several very positive facts are revealed in the survey, but there is an unmistakable clarity of dismay regarding the morality of the American public.
Whatever else we conclude, we must not forget the power of the Gospel of Christ. It has changed hard hearts for centuries. It still can. And don’t forget the power of a good example. It all starts with the decision to follow in the steps of Jesus Christ. Want to improve our world? You must start with yourself.
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“Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle that fits them all.”
“An honest man is the noblest work of God.”
“A liar will not be believed, even when he tells the truth.”
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The House You Build
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife, enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go. He asked him if he would build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.
While the carpenter finished his work, the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you."
The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built! If we could do it over, we'd do it much differently. But we cannot go back.
You are the carpenter. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, erect a wall. "Life is a do-it-yourself project," someone has said. Your attitudes and the choices you make today build the "house" you live in tomorrow. Build wisely!
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