All men of action are dreamers. James Huneker
...But not all dreamers are men of action.
The other day I was reading several articles about trends in sex education in the U.S. for class. I was alarmed to learn how explicit the material is that is taught to children in some areas. Many programs include promoting and demonstrating contraceptive measures and downplay the importance of abstinence. Very few sex education programs discuss the aspects of appropriate relationships or the emotional contributors to romantic relationships. Most parents agree that sex education is useful and also makes it easier to talk to their children about the issues of sexual activity. Many parents, however, are concerned that some particular issues are not appropriate for children, and that children are becoming sexualized far to early. Many feel the state is violating their rights as parents to decide what their children will and will not be exposed to. The fact that the government is overstepping their bounds may be because many parents won't take their responsibility to teach their children seriously. These trends seem threatening to my dreams for my future family and my nation so I admit I was little frustrated as I was reading about all of it.
As I was reading my roommate asked me why, if people are going to do whatever they are going to do, I was studying issues of sex education, etc. anyway. I was surprised to hear the tone of apathy in his voice. I have noticed this appalling and impedimentary attitude all too often, both in and out of the Church. If we have dreams which we think are important and want to see come to fruition, then we need to become men and women of action. Social scientists and politicians are picking up on the fact that there are major issues threatening our society and they are doing something about it. They are taking up the slack left by parents who are not proactive about teaching their children. The weight of all the empirical evidence is to great to ignore for all those who choose to see it: We cannot simply “let the chips fall where they may” or to put it in scriptural vernacular “wo unto all those who say all is well in Zion” This is, and always has been, a war of influences and cannot be won by apathy. For example, Bro. Williams asked a question the other day in class: "Who plans on being a part of your children's Parent Teacher Organization?" A few students raised their hands. He looked around the room and said "I invite the rest of you to repent." Then he told a story about when his wife was on the PTO and, after a discussion about the school's sex education program, asked to see the video being used. The principal said that she had confidence in the program that was being used and that they had been using it for several years. Bro. Williams' wife again asked to see it and the principle said that she would sit and watch it with her. After 5 minutes the principle got up and shut the video off, apologized, and vowed that that video would never be shown in the school again.
I recently listened to a song by Train called "Calling All Angels" The lyrics struck me because they list several problems that someone might face in contemporary society. Over and over he exclaims "Calling all angels, calling all you angels!" First I hope that we, too, can recognize the problems and dangers in our society. Second, I hope that we are willing to pray for God's help and divine guidance with these things. And finally, I hope that we, especially those who are disciples of Christ, will awake and arouse our faculties to answer the call. "Calling all angels, calling all you angels!"
The other day I was reading several articles about trends in sex education in the U.S. for class. I was alarmed to learn how explicit the material is that is taught to children in some areas. Many programs include promoting and demonstrating contraceptive measures and downplay the importance of abstinence. Very few sex education programs discuss the aspects of appropriate relationships or the emotional contributors to romantic relationships. Most parents agree that sex education is useful and also makes it easier to talk to their children about the issues of sexual activity. Many parents, however, are concerned that some particular issues are not appropriate for children, and that children are becoming sexualized far to early. Many feel the state is violating their rights as parents to decide what their children will and will not be exposed to. The fact that the government is overstepping their bounds may be because many parents won't take their responsibility to teach their children seriously. These trends seem threatening to my dreams for my future family and my nation so I admit I was little frustrated as I was reading about all of it.
As I was reading my roommate asked me why, if people are going to do whatever they are going to do, I was studying issues of sex education, etc. anyway. I was surprised to hear the tone of apathy in his voice. I have noticed this appalling and impedimentary attitude all too often, both in and out of the Church. If we have dreams which we think are important and want to see come to fruition, then we need to become men and women of action. Social scientists and politicians are picking up on the fact that there are major issues threatening our society and they are doing something about it. They are taking up the slack left by parents who are not proactive about teaching their children. The weight of all the empirical evidence is to great to ignore for all those who choose to see it: We cannot simply “let the chips fall where they may” or to put it in scriptural vernacular “wo unto all those who say all is well in Zion” This is, and always has been, a war of influences and cannot be won by apathy. For example, Bro. Williams asked a question the other day in class: "Who plans on being a part of your children's Parent Teacher Organization?" A few students raised their hands. He looked around the room and said "I invite the rest of you to repent." Then he told a story about when his wife was on the PTO and, after a discussion about the school's sex education program, asked to see the video being used. The principal said that she had confidence in the program that was being used and that they had been using it for several years. Bro. Williams' wife again asked to see it and the principle said that she would sit and watch it with her. After 5 minutes the principle got up and shut the video off, apologized, and vowed that that video would never be shown in the school again.
I recently listened to a song by Train called "Calling All Angels" The lyrics struck me because they list several problems that someone might face in contemporary society. Over and over he exclaims "Calling all angels, calling all you angels!" First I hope that we, too, can recognize the problems and dangers in our society. Second, I hope that we are willing to pray for God's help and divine guidance with these things. And finally, I hope that we, especially those who are disciples of Christ, will awake and arouse our faculties to answer the call. "Calling all angels, calling all you angels!"
