Nation's troubles rooted in lack of 'truths'

Nation's troubles rooted in lack of 'truths'

Some days ago a guest writer declared that the American people need to begin serious discussions concerning gun violence. Since that time another tragedy of gun violence has occurred. It is hard for me to see how a bundle of laws will take care of this problem. I've been around for over 70 years now and I have made a few observations of the American scene. In those 70 years the American nation began to develop an affluence as no other nation has done. This has had an effect on all of us.

Success has been measured by what we accomplish and accumulate.

May I make a few observations: For many decades we have heard that there are no absolute truths. Yes, there are, and you can make your own list easily. We've broken up the family and reasoned that it will be all right. Absent fathers aren't a problem, we are told. Many children are at risk for hunger. Why? We are repeatedly told that there is no God when His presence is evident. We are told we are not a Christian nation when the record of history clearly says otherwise. We must separate church and state. Yes, but we have lost all sense of balance. Atheist groups delight in intimidating schools, churches and individuals with lawsuits.

Too often justice is not served. We destroy the unborn and make death a part of our life. Life is what God all about. We are commanded to chose life. We neglect the teaching of right and wrong to our children, leaving it to others who teach that there are no absolutes. We work hard to accumulate what we need, but too much for just what we want. Our children see it and draw their own conclusions. We may teach our children good values and faith, but neglect to teach them how to defend those values.

There are life principles as old as creation. Give and it will be given to you. Invest your life in others and you will gain life. We are our brother's keeper. The thin line between good and evil doesn't run through political parties, governments or anything we can think of, but it does run through us.

Any discussion about violence in America without considering what we are doing in our own lives will probably be useless.

Arthur L. Florer

Fayetteville