It is important to remember that the only factor that we can count on in standard living context is change. Rather effective studies from opinion polls to research programs have held firmly to that conclusion. We accept the conclusion, for now, in the belief that it is the best summary we have for the present. However, this acquiescence does not really simplify our lives in that we now must account for the variances of change, the areas affected by it, the distortions of it. The queries add up so to make understanding difficult and conduct emphases are distorted. Change carries its own peculiar force in society. Persons embracing change, without managing at least some of it, appear to distort their lives, their perceptions, and, to some degree, spill that attitude and modus operandi over into the general culture. This would not be important enough to discuss were it not that it impacts so much of general society, so to take up an inordinate amount of attention, some of which occupation ought to be given to more important factors of life, of belief, of conduct, of mortality’s values – and for many, immortality’s values. Life is in everything we are and do.
We might, in discussion and search for balanced life, choose any feature of life to react to, and explain what is happening to us, to our children, to the future of a society that is, in the end, accountable to right conduct and belief – (righteousness). Although one may believe in a personal God, as I do, there is a society balance that belongs to all persons, pious or pagan, so to serve the greatest good to the greatest number of persons – responsible persons (whether in spiritual faith or no faith) to all persons. The following touches on some of the common contextual factors of our lives, but can be extended to scores of themes.
Language. We are currently faced with the style of popularizing crudity, even the use of words that if used by our children, might well invite a slap on the mouth. Even persons holding faith in God (as did Oprah Winfrey on her TV show) use the word God as a public slang word. Some years ago it would not be used in quality speech even by most profane persons. References to sexual experience in gross language are now common though blanked by most major TV studios. Not needed in virtually all the programs where it is used, crudity is increasing. To be deplored: The new President in 2017 introduced hell to the daily conversation of society’s media. It all began in public voice when everything stopped as Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) at the ending of the film, Gone With The Wind, with: Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn. Personal response thus made public, was made an exception for several decades, invading first the stage for general break, and then movie/television production. It now spatters the landscape of entertainment, and infects the general society in diluting the quality of its culture. Will it now reach high-school drama?
Style. Each year media provide series of models appearing to be in a pout with odd gaits wearing clothes unsuitable in public. Fellows, perhaps bejeweled, with spiked hair, guide these overly paid ladies through their impersonal scenes. The program does not present what persons will wear, but does suggest the year’s fashion accent, perhaps legs, or cleavage, or back, upper or lower, and so the story goes. This finds ways, in amended context, into lives of average citizens, in workplace, society, classroom, or whatever occupies everyday life. Rather than present the person in a balanced context that respects personhood, the accent is now on today’s currency and sex. Society wonders about decline while nourishing carnality in lines of suggestion. We are not surprised when we are magnetically drawn to one’s bared chest, when the attention ought to be to the face of a person who reflects the dignity of the image of God. God calls us to change that lifts, not distracts. (Various voices sounded off, after the 2017 Inauguration of the American press of the magnificent style of the new first lady in her well-appointed grooming for the occasion. Women said they wanted the style, as they were drawn to the elegance, color and appropriateness of her presence.) Style includes dress, and just about everything else in life. Change presses upon the race, and the race ought to take charge of it for the good of generations. Modesty is necessary to us for respect, and style belongs to daily life. Begun with casual Friday for public workers, it took over identified as grunge, and became a dominant standard, even for church. We are told it helped change worship styles. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020