New Gallup poll tells a tale on the state of our culture, and it’s not good
A recent
Gallup poll exposed three terrible truths.
First, we are not succeeding in transforming hearts and minds to cultivate and
sustain a Culture of Life. Second, we are losing the younger generation to
materialism, secularism and moral relativism. Third, the moral compass and
Christian conscience in America is systematically being phased out of existence
while indifference and tolerance of evil fill the void.
I readily admit that I usually place little
emphasis upon polls; however, the results of this survey highlight and parallel
trends we see around the world. Societies are radically rejecting centuries of
Judeo-Christian beliefs concerning life and family while embracing a secular
view of life and the human person.
Let us consider the subject of homosexuality.
61% of Americans of all ages now believe same-sex unions should be recognized
by the law as valid, with 83% of 18 to 29 year olds endorsing and defending the
lifestyle. 83% of non-religious people polled believe it is a morally
acceptable lifestyle, which shouldn’t surprise us, but the redefinition of
marriage is also supported by 62% of Catholics, 41% of Protestants, and 85% of
Jews.
The numbers on euthanasia and
physician-assisted suicide are equally startling: according to Gallup, 47% of
Catholics, 43% of Protestants, and 73% of Jews found these morally acceptable,
compared to 77% from those claiming no religion.
The results regarding premarital sex also
cause grave concern, especially as we confront the contraceptive mentality and
violence of abortion as consequences of this immoral behavior. Catholics polled
at 68%, Protestants at 50%, and Jews at 83% finding promiscuity morally
acceptable. We should also take serious the 88% of non-religious who see no
issue with promiscuous behavior, a sign of what is on the horizon.
Regarding abortion, 38% of Catholics, 33% of
Protestants, and 76% of Jews find abortion acceptable as compared to those with
non-religious status polling at 73%. The secular culture is still very strong
and having noticeable influence.
The Story Isn’t New
Each of the above numbers tells a story about
the challenges we face in the pro-life and family movement in the US and
abroad. We have made some progress in educating the public on the consequences
of anti-life and family ideologies and agendas. We have brought our conversations
into the public square – into courtrooms, houses of parliament, voting booths,
and pulpits – resulting in many success stories. Yet the tempest still grows.
When Father Marx first began the Human Life
Center in 1972, there were only a handful of people working in the movement.
Today there are many thousands dedicated to promoting and defending life and
family. This work has helped prevent this nation from slipping more quickly
into secular and moral relativism; however, the trends we currently see, represented
by the numbers in the recent poll and daily headlines about the attack on
reality (such as today’s Stream headline: “Massachusetts House Passes Bill
Legally Abolishing Biological Sex”), should make us pause and reflect.
Sadly, decades of indifference in the public
square from many of our civil and spiritual leaders, as well as educators –
Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, and Jewish – has had devastating consequences.
There are exceptional leaders to be sure, but by in large there has been a dearth
or worse, a direct intention by some to confuse and contradict. Americans have
become indifferent to or even supportive of contraception, abortion,
homosexuality, and euthanasia; and with each passing year, they become more
tolerant of perverse, immoral behavior. The process of destabilizing centuries
of Judeo-Christian beliefs and the normalizing moral relativism has been very
successful due in part to a crisis of leadership and breakdown in education.
America has lost her conscience! What do we
do?
The Gospel of Life
A key strategy is the re-formation of
conscience as proposed by Pope Saint John Paul II:
What is urgently called for is a general mobilization
of consciences and a united ethical effort to activate a great campaign in
support of life. All together, we must build a new culture of life: new,
because it will be able to confront and solve today’s unprecedented problems
affecting human life; new, because it will be adopted with deeper and more
dynamic conviction by all Christians; new, because it will be capable of
bringing about a serious and courageous cultural dialogue among all parties.
While the urgent need for such a cultural transformation is linked to the
present historical situation, it is also rooted in the Church’s mission of
evangelization. The purpose of the Gospel, in fact, is “to transform humanity
from within and to make it new. (Evangelium vitae 95)
I believe the Catholic Church and all people
of faith play a pivotal role in winning back the culture and turning the tide
in favor of life and family. We should not ignore this poll; it tells a tale.
People are confused and ignorant about what is objectively good, true, and
beautiful; they are unable to distinguish good from what is evil. We have to
reform consciences. We must win back our educational systems – civil and
religious.
The moral relativists have made great strides
in overtaking educational programs indoctrinating our young people with
aberrant definitions of sexuality and human relationships, while simultaneously
undermining the central role of the natural family.
But here is a key question: Are we
discouraged, or are we awakened and motivated?
If the Gallup poll provides us with a greater
understanding of our foe and motivates us to reevaluate my objectives,
strategies, and tactics, it is a good thing. Knowledge and truth about the
enemy is the first step to securing a victory.
Complacency and apathy are unacceptable! Let’s
get to work.
