Your Opinion: Alarmed by descent into indecency

Dear Editor:

Have we no shame? This is the question that begs to be answered at this time in our country. There was a time when there was a sense of decency and accountability that was adhered to. Gentlemen were careful of their language around women and children, and believed that it was appropriate and respectful to open doors for women and older adults. This was considered etiquette and proper manners.

Boys were taught by their fathers and mothers to become the protectors and providers for their families. Girls were taught to be lady-like in their behavior and speech and to wait for the boys to show an interest in them. It was never proper for a girl to "actively" pursue a boy first. It doesn't mean that human nature was any better back then, but respect and self-control was taught, emphasized and viewed as appropriate.

With the women's liberation movement and the "peace and love" generation it seems that all care and concern for anyone beyond our selves has been thrown to the wind. We see unashamed nudity and immorality, sexual perversions and violence applauded in our society and endorsed and protected by the government.

There was a time when television programming would not allow men and women to share the same bed in a show where they were portrayed as a married couple and no more than a peck on the lips for a kiss or a hug as a show of affection. This reflected a sense of decency and protected children from the embarrassment they endure now or are becoming desensitized to through the disgusting displays of pornographic and animalistic behavior in the media today.

We were taught that God was to be reverenced and worshipped and His Word was truth and was to be honored. When we gave our word and a handshake it was our bond and did not require a signed document with an army of attorneys to read through the fine print to see if there were any exclusion clauses to void the perceived agreement. Hard work and personal accountability was viewed as expected not as exceptional.

America is failing because we have no shame or fear of The Lord. Our "leaders" have no credibility or principles and they are encouraging others to follow their example. One of my dad's favorite sayings was, "You can't do wrong and get by." We should be ashamed. We must turn to the Lord.