For the last couple of years, there has been a tug-of-war going on between the state of Texas and the court system. Texas instituted a law that mandated online porn sites verify that users are 18 years old. Each court has added stipulations of varying degrees, and the Supreme Court ruled to not block the law. To be honest, I thought porn was already illegal for people under 18, so I am a little confused by the arguments some people are making about free speech. Minors do not have the same rights that adults do. The nuances of this problem are obviously beyond me.
This does, however, bring up an interesting (to me) question about what sin is and what the government’s responsibility to protect us from it should be. Gambling used to be considered very sinful and dangerous; now, it is everywhere. From cruises to pro sports to the lottery, we make wagers and take chances all the time – it has become a national obsession. To a lesser degree, prostitution seems to be gradually gaining acceptance, and while it is only legal in parts of Nevada, there is a national movement to decriminalize it. Marijuana is the same; that wacky weed that was once considered a gateway to hard drugs (remember Reefer Madness?) has gained wider acceptance. Defining sin is not as easy as it used to be.
Moral codes are sticky things; most of us would consider ourselves to be moral/ethical people, but our codes vary dramatically. We are seeing this struggle in many states and on a national level; questions about abortion, LGBTQ people, what children are allowed to read – these, among many other concerns, continue to challenge our ability to get along. We are a secular nation with limited moral roots, and we have been in a constant battle between what some people consider appropriate and our need to maintain personal freedom. We have to protect children, this is true – we also have to protect each other’s rights. I would be interested to know what you think about it. Maybe we can teach each other.
Prayer – We thank You for free will. We also struggle with it. Give us the wisdom to find what is right. Amen.
Today’s art is “The Sin” by Art Ilevic.