Is the world getting better or worse

[hebrews_beauty]

It's hard to be really general. I don't know that I can speak for the world as a whole, but I can say some things about the USA, since I was born and raised here:

-More people are converting away from Christianity, or are non-religious. I don't know if that's worse for our nation or better. I think it's better that people are thinking out of the box or how they were taught in general.

-It's worse environmentally because people are ignorant, blind, or in denial about global warming, and other environmental matters. But some states care more.

-It's worse that people want to deny gays the same rights as others and speak with hate about them. But it's better for them in some states.

-It's worse that we still don't have a universal healthcare system and must be controlled by the business of private insurance (which is more evil than people realize). But in some states there's progress in the right direction.

-It's better that abortion exists, especially for those in life or death situations, or for those who were raped, etc. But it's sad when abortion occurs for a viable fetus because it's not a boy or girl, etc.

-It's better that we are very culturally and religiously diverse. But it's worse that there's still ethnocentrism and prejudice.

-It's better that we are very free. But it's worse that there's still not better equality.

And so on. Of course our nation is in dire need of change right now, especially because we are still under the Bush administration. Come on 2008.

[Guest amefica]

It's hard to be really general. I don't know that I can speak for the world as a whole, but I can say some things about the USA, since I was born and raised here:

-More people are converting away from Christianity, or are non-religious. I don't know if that's worse for our nation or better. I think it's better that people are thinking out of the box or how they were taught in general.

-It's worse environmentally because people are ignorant, blind, or in denial about global warming, and other environmental matters. But some states care more.

-It's worse that people want to deny gays the same rights as others and speak with hate about them. But it's better for them in some states.

-It's worse that we still don't have a universal healthcare system and must be controlled by the business of private insurance (which is more evil than people realize). But in some states there's progress in the right direction.

-It's better that abortion exists, especially for those in life or death situations, or for those who were raped, etc. But it's sad when abortion occurs for a viable fetus because it's not a boy or girl, etc.

-It's better that we are very culturally and religiously diverse. But it's worse that there's still ethnocentrism and prejudice.

-It's better that we are very free. But it's worse that there's still not better equality.

And so on. Of course our nation is in dire need of change right now, especially because we are still under the Bush administration. Come on 2008.

WORSE!!

In holland the churches are being sold for other uses including discos. The churches that are still operational are full of only Old people (above age 60yrs)! A survey recently showed that 35% of mainstream church pastors don't even believe there is a God. Let alone believing in Jesus Christ. The worship of eastern religions, and other new age believes and witchcraft has grown tremendously among the young!

Talk about gays, in holland the home of the gays where even gays from america try to come here for freedom and acceptance. The news reported a gay was beaten and thrown into a tunnel of water last week. No they are not accepted. Great % of us don't support it.

In schools has been reported increased violence among young children. Young girls from age of 12yrs are turning into prostitution for as cheap prize as a bottle of cocacola.

Economically things are turning difficult and the foreigners and refugees are being blamed as scapegoats. Wonder how long the systems like social security and help for the aged and retired are going to hold before they collapse as the population of the aged outnumbers those strong enough to work soon.

The weather has change so much they quote some of the hot days as not having been experienced since the last 300 yrs. Not to mention the traffic jams and the stress level, disease level and depression level.

etc.

Edited May 27, 2007 by amefica

[Scarletprayers]

It's hard to be really general. I don't know that I can speak for the world as a whole, but I can say some things about the USA, since I was born and raised here:

-More people are converting away from Christianity, or are non-religious. I don't know if that's worse for our nation or better. I think it's better that people are thinking out of the box or how they were taught in general.

a) Thinking outside the box to what? All roads lead to heaven, Jesus was just a good man????

-It's worse environmentally because people are ignorant, blind, or in denial about global warming, and other environmental matters. But some states care more.

a) most of it is political and nothing more.................

-It's worse that people want to deny gays the same rights as others and speak with hate about them. But it's better for them in some states.

a) you mean like getting married?? Good!

-It's worse that we still don't have a universal healthcare system and must be controlled by the business of private insurance (which is more evil than people realize). But in some states there's progress in the right direction.

a) I pay enough for support people that wont work and support themselves & if you look at most places that have "universal" health care it is bankrupting their nation.

-It's better that abortion exists, especially for those in life or death situations, or for those who were raped, etc. But it's sad when abortion occurs for a viable fetus because it's not a boy or girl, etc.

a) abortion is wrong, period.

-It's better that we are very culturally and religiously diverse. But it's worse that there's still ethnocentrism and prejudice.

a) ??? I don't believe in mistreating someone because of their religion or race but most of them want special treatment, and thats wrong.

-It's better that we are very free. But it's worse that there's still not better equality.

And so on. Of course our nation is in dire need of change right now, especially because we are still under the Bush administration. Come on 2008.

Still under Bush, for which I am truly thankful.

[DarkNebulaWelder]

Hey, Butero...I must agree with EVERY SINGLE THING you said in your post. There is not one thing I disagree with you on here.

As far as the condition of the world, I voted that it is getting worse...not just morally, but I truly do feel that the world is a much more dangerous place than it used to be.

True, we have advanced technologically, which in my opinion is a good thing, but such technology also provides a wider gateway for sin, and a convenient avenue for people to act upon their sinful urges. Not only does technology breed moral corruption, but it provides a pathway for people to act upon these corrupted urges. Case in point: The Columbine school massacre, which more than likely could not have taken place without the immediacy of information on how to attain and/or manufacture weapons. Another case in point: internet pedophilia. I'm sure you've all seen Dateline NBC's series titled "How to Catch A Predator," where pedophiles are basically caught trying to meet up with young girls for sex...through avenues made readily available by the internet.

I also think that society's morals have been on a rapid decline for years, and have just now reached the point of being socially destructive. In days past, it seems that most people, if they were not Christians, kept their sins somewhat tamed for fear of punishment. These days, it seems that we have become so lenient on crime, more concerned about the rights of the criminals, or being politically correct, that many crimes are going unpunished. Even if a person was inclined to commit some grave sin, the fear of legal retribution was enough to stop him. Penance fueled by attrition is better than no penance at all, I say, and now a days, it seems that even THAT is on the decline.

Overall, I must say that our world is MUCH worse than it has been in days past....and it's not about to get any better. Then again, the Bible warns us about these times, that they will be perilous. One bright spot in all of this is that we can look forward to Christ's return VERY SOON!!!

Edited May 27, 2007 by DarkNebulaWelder

[sweetycakes]

I would say that the 'world', generally, from a Christian perspective, has definitely become worse from when I was a kid.

There is a general decline in the acceptance of, and respect for Christianity, what with the massive increase in such things as the occult, atheism and humanism, drugs, materialism, homosexual equality, etc. Of that there is no doubt.

And people do seem to have less respect for other people on a social level, I think.

Technologically, I think things are definitely better. With my mobile phone I can now keep in touch, instantly, with my family and work, with the internet I can write this answer on Worthy Boards, and with my sat-nav I no longer get lost going to a new job or new hotel

TV?.....well, there are certainly more channels....but it is just more of the same old drivel, with more advertisements!

The internet has definitely got to be a big 'plus' ......I am more informed, more in touch, and have a lot more useful things at my disposal than previously.

But I think that we all look back at times past with nostalgia to when we were kids growing up, and long for those days. Not necessarily because they were better, but because our perception, as kids, was different. I remember often as a kid looking at the artwork in children's story books (Whinnie the Pooh, etc), and thinking how magical it all looked.

But I also had a largely troubled and worrying childhood, compared to most kids I went to school with. I lived in children's homes from the age of 11 to 16, which gave me something of an inferiority complex, so I didn't live out a typical childhood, yet somehow managed to find joy in certain things around me. And God was my strength, even then.

I have a lot more inner security since those times, thanks to God.

So......are things better or worse?.......I don't really know.

Or would I like to go back to being a kid again?.........I think, in some ways, and for some reasons, yes. But for others, no.

A difficult question to get my head around.

[hebrews_beauty]

To some of those who responded to my response:

I don't have the time honestly to try and answer each person, because the discussion could go on for awhile and I am a college student, so I am quite busy! Plus I don't spend a whole lot of time on forums, but I may answer a forum topic if it interests me. However, I did want to say a few things.

First, I am not a conservative or fundamental Christian; I am a liberal who is going through many faith changes and learning to be more tolerant and compassionate to those who may see the world differently than me---whether it's a religious difference or otherwise.

Second, through my education via school and personal study, I have come to accept and understand different issues in our world. The abortion matter, for example---it is a medical procedure. No, I don't think it's the best option, but I have learned to have compassion on women here. If a woman was raped, and early termination is sought, then I can understand that. Or if it's shown beyond doubt that the fetus was suffering or diseased in some horrible way, then I can understand the compassion of the mother who feels she must terminate. I would be ashamed to call every woman who seeks early termination a murderer. It's not my place to judge what's happening inside of another human being.

Simply, I have grown to be more open-minded and tolerant as I seek to think outside of what I was taught about the Bible, about Christianity...about religion, about politics...about our world.

[apothanein kerdos]

Simply, I have grown to be more open-minded and tolerant as I seek to think outside of what I was taught about the Bible, about Christianity...about religion, about politics...about our world.

If by "open-minded" and "tolerant" you mean "accepting", then you haven't grown at all. That is a regress.

I don't have the time honestly to try and answer each person, because the discussion could go on for awhile and I am a college student, so I am quite busy! Plus I don't spend a whole lot of time on forums, but I may answer a forum topic if it interests me. However, I did want to say a few things.

There was one person that responded to you...plus college is out for the summer.

First, I am not a conservative or fundamental Christian; I am a liberal who is going through many faith changes and learning to be more tolerant and compassionate to those who may see the world differently than me---whether it's a religious difference or otherwise.

But how is that good?

Second, through my education via school and personal study, I have come to accept and understand different issues in our world. The abortion matter, for example---it is a medical procedure. No, I don't think it's the best option, but I have learned to have compassion on women here. If a woman was raped, and early termination is sought, then I can understand that. Or if it's shown beyond doubt that the fetus was suffering or diseased in some horrible way, then I can understand the compassion of the mother who feels she must terminate. I would be ashamed to call every woman who seeks early termination a murderer. It's not my place to judge what's happening inside of another human being.

It's not your place to judge what another person is doing or thinking? So...is it wrong to judge what that young man did at Virginia Tech as wrong? Is it wrong to call him a murderer?

To everyone else on the thread, it is people like the above that prompted my question. I am having a difficult time finding anyone around my age that actually holds to a conservative doctrine.

[sweetycakes]

To everyone else on the thread, it is people like the above that prompted my question. I am having a difficult time finding anyone around my age that actually holds to a conservative doctrine.

I hold to a conservative doctrine

And just what is your age, exactly?

[OopsMartin]

To everyone else on the thread, it is people like the above that prompted my question. I am having a difficult time finding anyone around my age that actually holds to a conservative doctrine.

I hold to a conservative doctrine

And just what is your age, exactly?

I'm also a conservative, but at my age, that is more the norm than not.

I agree that the youth of today are in trouble. for those who are Christians, they are either very devoted and moderate, or only moderately devoted. Non Christian youth are in deep trouble radically investigating every extreme - at least that is what I've been noticing.

[OopsMartin]

As far as this post goes, I find it very sad, because it is yet another example of the assault taking place against people of faith from what are supposed to be institutions of higher learning. If I had children, the last thing I would want them to do is to attend brain washing lectures at universities. They would be much better off without a college education at all than to allow their faith to be destroyed by these servants of the devil posing as professors.

Well, I'm not sure that it matters much for non Christians. I suspect that educated is better than uneducated though. Gangs and such don't help them any more.

But for Christian youth I would prefer they attend Christian colleges. There are enough out there for parents to help them choose wisely.