Thursday, May 27, 2010
Working today...
...on a script of a book initially begun over a decade ago. It made me realise just how much has changed. Social attitudes are so much more tense, everyday relationships less relaxed, words and gestures and statements are charged with new and often nastier meanings, there is a greater sense of sexual innuendo. Above all, children, especially adolescents, have changed: this is noticeable when you are among some of them in a large random group - for example on public transport - where extreme anger over trivial things, routine use of obscenities, and inability to articulate sensitive or mildly complex ideas, is often evident.
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2 comments:
Joanna,
Your commentary on young people is asymptomatic of the issues fueling them. Young people take their attitudes and culture from that surrounding them - in our case in particular the things they see, hear, read, experience daily in the media, internet and on TV.
They are reflecting the society and culture which we have allowed to become the norm. So, they are not to blame, rather we, the post-war generation, who ripped up the rule book in the 1950's and 1960's and rejected the values and standards which we had received from our parents.
But having lived through it, I would not like to return to the days of children being "seen and not heard", where corporal punishment (or worse) was the method of control. Violence only begets more violence and fear.
The freedoms of thought and choice, allowing people to think for them selves were hard fought for.
What is lacking is a sound basis for families and our education system. One which instills a sense of self respect and self discipline, respect for the dignity of others based on sound moral principles, underpinned by a vibrant and live faith and worship life.
This is why the attacks on faith schools by the last government were a disaster. Their policy of the secularisation of society are chiefly to blame. Only now are people speaking out. The Bishop of Durham yesterday articulated this very well. What a pity he did not say it 10 years ago.
The Churches must take their share of the blame. Instead of being witnesses to the failures of society and government, they have stood on the margins bleating about things, rather than dealing with them through leadership, outreach and example.
There is a unique opportunity now, with a Government of National Unity, which professes to be acting for the greater good, for the churches to take the initiative and to once again, lead the moral and ethical return of this country and the world to bring forward the Kingdom of God here and now.
Are the current leaders up to it? I hope and pray that they are.
The very foundation toward rearing well mannered, secure, confident, morally upright young people in a civilized world is the home. Children are keen observers of parents in their speech, moral behavior based on proper faith formation which quite naturally influences everything else, and the way they treat others. The Church is the vital lifeline where as a faith community we gather to celebrate Christ through the liturgies (Word & Eucharist).
Young folks here in the states have much in common with your own youth; it's sad, but the forces in opposition to teaching respect for the dignity of others and civil behavior among people in general is strong and well funded.
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