Can Our Culture be Changed?

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Homer
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Can Our Culture be Changed?

Post by Homer » Wed Oct 04, 2017 12:38 am

I recently read an article by David Brooks written for the New York Times. Brooks is a Republican and a Christian, I believe.

A comment from the article:
America is seeing nearly as much cultural conflict as it did in the late 1960s. It’s quite possible that after four years of this Trump will have effectively destroyed the prevailing culture. The reign of the meritocratic establishment will be just as over as the reign of the Protestant establishment now is.
Of course Donald Trump is a buffoon. Buffoonery is his most effective weapon. Because of him, a new culture will have to be built, new values promulgated and a new social fabric will have to be woven, one that brings the different planets back into relation with one another.
That’s the work of the next 20 years.
Hopefully you can google The Abbie Hoffman of the Right: Donald Trump and read the article. It gives me hope that Trump, if he accomplishes nothing else, will set the stage for a more Christian culture to arise from the mess we have been in since the 60s generation.

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dwight92070
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Re: Can Our Culture be Changed?

Post by dwight92070 » Wed Oct 04, 2017 2:00 am

I read the article. I see Trump as an answer to prayer, not a buffoon or a bigot. I believe God delivered us from an awful bigot, Hillary Clinton, who would have continued the destruction of our country that Obama started. Trump's not an angel, none of us are, but God is using Him. Will we have hope for our country after Trump? Only if God answers our prayer again. If our country doesn't stop killing babies and promoting immorality through porn and movies, books, etc., and if the gospel does not continue to be preached, and we don't humble ourselves, maybe God won't rescue our nation again.

MMathis
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Re: Can Our Culture be Changed?

Post by MMathis » Wed Oct 04, 2017 9:15 pm

I don't think the sixties were nearly as bad as today. The sixties were a bunch of people that didn't want to be drafted.

Since we don't have the draft, we no longer have anti-war protests going on.
Bring back the draft and watch how fast they hit the streets.

If you went to Canada to avoid the draft you should not have been allowed back without penalty.
Jane Fonda is about the lowest level of the bunch. I got three Purple Hearts while she was sitting on
a North Vietnam anti-aircraft gun laughing. To this day I would spit in her face if I ever met her.

rant over---
MMathis
Las Vegas NV

steve7150
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Re: Can Our Culture be Changed?

Post by steve7150 » Thu Oct 05, 2017 6:42 pm

I recently read an article by David Brooks written for the New York Times. Brooks is a Republican and a Christian, I believe.










Brooks writes for the NY Times so IMHO he is a RINO and i have no idea about his Christian commitment. I probably am the only one here who thinks it matters that Trump supports Israel but i think that is a good thing biblically speaking.
I doubt Trump has such a far reaching impact on our culture. Many like him, many hate him but people are impacted by numerous things nowadays , not just a President.

MMathis
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Re: Can Our Culture be Changed?

Post by MMathis » Thu Oct 05, 2017 10:35 pm

I too think it is good to support Israel. I can't give you solid reason why except that the alternative would be to not support them, and I certainly don't think that would be a good idea.
MMathis
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Singalphile
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Re: Can Our Culture be Changed?

Post by Singalphile » Sun Oct 08, 2017 7:09 pm

Granted, I don't keep up with politics, but the article seems a little exaggerated to me. This president will come and go and nothing much will change (that won't be undone in a few years or decades), except maybe leaving the culture a little more vulgar and polarized (but that seems to have been the course anyway).

Can the culture be changed? I think so. If we will put aside politics and other worldly concerns and focus on demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit towards our coworkers and customers and friends and even strangers, I think God can do it through us. Although, if you go around waving the banner of this or that political party or political ideology, then you've already compromised that mission, imo, and it might be best to not reveal your Christianity as it may do more harm than good in that case.
... that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. John 5:23

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robbyyoung
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Re: Can Our Culture be Changed?

Post by robbyyoung » Sun Oct 08, 2017 10:33 pm

Homer wrote:I recently read an article by David Brooks written for the New York Times. Brooks is a Republican and a Christian, I believe.

A comment from the article:
America is seeing nearly as much cultural conflict as it did in the late 1960s. It’s quite possible that after four years of this Trump will have effectively destroyed the prevailing culture. The reign of the meritocratic establishment will be just as over as the reign of the Protestant establishment now is.
Of course Donald Trump is a buffoon. Buffoonery is his most effective weapon. Because of him, a new culture will have to be built, new values promulgated and a new social fabric will have to be woven, one that brings the different planets back into relation with one another.
That’s the work of the next 20 years.
Hopefully you can google The Abbie Hoffman of the Right: Donald Trump and read the article. It gives me hope that Trump, if he accomplishes nothing else, will set the stage for a more Christian culture to arise from the mess we have been in since the 60s generation.
Hi Homer,

American "culture", on a macro scale, can only be universally understood and adopted through its magnificent idea we call The U.S. Constitution. As we all know, we have the ability to amend the country's most prized intellectual achievement; however, collectively, we can only defend or provide clarity to this ongoing idea. So then, can our culture be changed? No, not at its foundation.

Homer, I believe "the culture" most people are referring to are the myriad of "micro cultural" behaviors at odds with their own. These might consists of religious beliefs, ethnic social groups, and reverence to long standing traditions. I contend that these and other micro "cultures" are in a constant ebb and flow. But, when micro cultures attempt to challenge or dissolve the supreme law (or dare I say culture) of the land, for example, free speech--a righteous eruption occurs to either litigate or shame the behavior into submission.

Mr. Brooks is not hitting the target because of his hatred towards Trump. True, Trump is sometimes crass; but, all Trump has ever done is challenge micro cultures that are either at odds with his very own or seek to undermine the U.S. Constitution. Mr. Brooks' article is nothing more than a depiction of inherent peaks and valleys within our system of governance to debate and confront opposing views lawfully, and yes, unfortunately, sometimes violently. These micro cultures are not what unites us; the parent culture, which is the Constitution, is and should be the glue that binds us as one. Although we must tolerate each others (law abiding) micro cultures, one should not be imposed upon another.

Mr. Brooks can't see the forest for the trees:
Because of him, a new culture will have to be built, new values promulgated and a new social fabric will have to be woven, one that brings the different planets back into relation with one another.

That’s the work of the next 20 years.
The only culture that matters is the supreme law of the land. This is what unites our free and open society comprised of all peoples of the world. So, what part of the Constitution needs rebuilding? What's wrong with our current constitutional values? We don't need a new culture, there is nothing wrong with the time honored culture that should unite all Americans (The Constitution). Mr. Brooks is advocating yet another imposed pet micro culture on the masses. This is exactly the problem. People are tired of having this multi-cultural nonsense shoved down their throat. I think Mr. Brooks is suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome.

Blessings.

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dwight92070
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Re: Can Our Culture be Changed?

Post by dwight92070 » Sun Oct 08, 2017 10:46 pm

Singalphile, I think I hear what you are saying and some others here have said similar things, i.e. "put aside our political ideology and waving banners for a political party". Just how would you propose that we do that? I'm not trying to be antagonistic here. I'm asking a sincere question. As Christians, are we just supposed to preach the gospel and love everyone but shut our mouths when it comes to politics? Isn't politics inter-twined with people and vice-versa? That sounds very much like the old cliche, "You can talk about everything but religion and politics." Isn't religion also inter-twined with people and vice-versa? God is the Creator of people and authority, religion and even politics.
If anything, I am more inclined to believe it's about time we, as Christians, stopped being scared or ashamed to proclaim what we believe, whether it's the gospel or politics or religion. The Bible says: Speaking the truth in love. Sometimes speaking the truth, even in love, unavoidably steps on a few toes, but should that keep us from speaking it at all? The truth will always offend somebody. We don't set out to be offensive, but we shouldn't shrink back to absolute silence either.

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Homer
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Re: Can Our Culture be Changed?

Post by Homer » Sun Oct 08, 2017 11:43 pm

Hi Robby,

I must disagree with what you wrote:
The only culture that matters is the supreme law of the land. This is what unites our free and open society comprised of all peoples of the world. So, what part of the Constitution needs rebuilding? What's wrong with our current constitutional values? We don't need a new culture, there is nothing wrong with the time honored culture that should unite all Americans (The Constitution). Mr. Brooks is advocating yet another imposed pet micro culture on the masses.
The problem is that the Constitution only means what the Supreme Court says it means. And according to what the dominant culture (establishment) has decided, through the court, that which everyone knows is a baby is merely a fetus when the mother decides to kill it prior to birth. The baby must exit the mother's body, part way out it is fair game. How absurd.

It is common for TV ads and even scientists in their work to refer to the unborn as a baby. Common sense tells us this is so.But we have a political party that worships at the alter of abortion. How different is this from sacrificing babies to Molech? Not much.

The "supreme law of the land" is dividing us.

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robbyyoung
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Re: Can Our Culture be Changed?

Post by robbyyoung » Mon Oct 09, 2017 8:11 am

Homer wrote:Hi Robby,

I must disagree with what you wrote:
The only culture that matters is the supreme law of the land. This is what unites our free and open society comprised of all peoples of the world. So, what part of the Constitution needs rebuilding? What's wrong with our current constitutional values? We don't need a new culture, there is nothing wrong with the time honored culture that should unite all Americans (The Constitution). Mr. Brooks is advocating yet another imposed pet micro culture on the masses.
The problem is that the Constitution only means what the Supreme Court says it means. And according to what the dominant culture (establishment) has decided, through the court, that which everyone knows is a baby is merely a fetus when the mother decides to kill it prior to birth. The baby must exit the mother's body, part way out it is fair game. How absurd.

It is common for TV ads and even scientists in their work to refer to the unborn as a baby. Common sense tells us this is so.But we have a political party that worships at the alter of abortion. How different is this from sacrificing babies to Molech? Not much.

The "supreme law of the land" is dividing us.
Hi Homer,

I truly understand and agree with you on the abortion issue. However, are we not yet still united under The Constitution? Just because debate, dissent, wins, and loses are part of the process, it doesn't mean that the 14th Amendment is killing babies. The micro culture of the Supreme Court Justices, doctors, lawyers, women, and men are what is killing babies. Like I said before, these micro cultures are in a constant ebb and flow. Before 1973 babies were protected for approximately 105 years, since then, this particular abortion micro culture has been sustained for about 44 years. But since we, as Americans, are united under one common banner, we do not go to war and kill each other when a micro culture is imposed on us. Why? Because our parent culture demands law and order and redress to which we all subscribe. Without this unity of effort, the many micro cultures could effect killing fields within all of America.

Homer, as you know, division is constant. In a land comprised of over 300 million people, division will be served up daily. However, the miracle is that we exercise our division within the rule of law. If Roe v. Wade is reversed, will there not be division? We wouldn't mind because our side wins. But, what if the losing side decides to abandon the rule of law and begin to slaughter the winning side. Is it not true that our Constitution unites us through wins and loses effected by micro cultures in one form or another? I do not consider micro cultures as a litmus test for American unity. The defense of the Constitution and rule of law is the only true measure of unity of effort in our American civilized society. I appreciate the forest by acknowledging the trees.

Blessings.

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