KEEPING THE NORTH STAR

Almost always in this weekly article I seek to take something currently in the news and events of the world or sometimes in my personal world from which to share my meager thoughts. Today, it was announced that the TV network which is arguably the most liberal has collapsing ratings. Recently, it was announce that the morning news show that is also arguably the most liberal has plunging ratings. The church world should have learned this reality long ago. Churches that went liberal in theology soon had quickly declining membership. Almost always, it is the conservative churches that are the fastest growing over all. Although this correlation between growing liberalism and declining interest could be dissected from various angles, I would think we should focus on that fact that liberalism, whether in religion or politics, almost always embraces the rejection of absolutes. To take absolutes from people is to take away security, moorings, means of making judgments-it is to take away any reliable points of reference from which to live one's life. It is to take away the North Star from the ancient sailors being tossed in the vast seas. Something deep in humanity rejects such a life. Oh, to take away absolutes is relieving and pleasurable at first. It leaves one with no moral restraints. It allows him to live as he pleases. But, he soon becomes like the child left home alone and realizes that he can eat all the candy he wants, stay up as late as he pleases, watch on television whatever he wishes. That had always sounded so appealing. However, with Dad and Mom gone, with their not there to give rules and enforce them, without the structure and security of a schedule and parameters for living, what seemed so appealing loses it pleasure. If he were honest, in the end, man realizes he doesn't do a good job as his own master living without restraint. See, in the end most people vote for keeping the North Star rather than getting rid of it.