The nation's decline in moral values undermines democracy – Abilene Reporter-News

A pandemic is defined as a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease over a whole country or the world.
While this definition pertains to infectious diseases, a realistic modern corollary is found by substituting the terms “A decline in moral values, moral decay, the inability to distinguish between right and wrong or disrespect for our laws,” in the place of “infectious disease.” 
Jim Nelson Black, in his book “When Nations Die,” lists trends that are responsible for a nation’s moral decay. Namely, there is a “rise in immorality,” “decay of religious belief,” and “devaluing of human life.”
In this current secularistic, promiscuous and hedonistic age we live in, anything goes. Do we not realize that religion is the basis for morality and that morality is the foundation for moral values? 
The U.S. Supreme Court removed prayer from our public schools and a lower court banned the Bible. Prayers at graduation ceremonies were then prohibited and same-sex marriage was made legal. Democrats remove references to God from their party platform during their 2012 national convention. As a result of this decline in moral values, traditional family values, the backbone of our society, have further eroded and negatively affected our society. 
Today, we have a deeply divided nation.
Political correctness, socialistic leanings and indifference to breaking our laws have diminished America’s heritage and traditional values. Premarital sex, immorality, disrespect for the law and killing of the unborn is widespread. Daily, we hear or read about the lawlessness in many of our big cities — the shootings, drugs, violent demonstrations, property destruction, shop lifting, breaking and entering, gang activities, stealing, looting, fragrant disregard for the law, and the targeting of police officers.
Contributing to this lawlessness, especially illegal drugs, is our open-door border policy. Why should we expect God to protect our nation from moral decline, internal strife, violence, illegal drugs, terrorists and the COVID pandemic when so many have repeatedly stated that they do not want Him in our public schools, our government, or our personal lives?
America’s law enforcement officers have a dangerous and stressful job and risk their lives, daily. There are no racial, economic or social barriers limiting their service and they swear to protect and serve all without favoritism or prejudice.
Data compiled by the National Fraternal Order of Police shows an alarming upward trend in deadly violence against police officers nationwide. In 2021, 314 officers were shot in the line of duty. This alarming statistic forces one to ask, “Who, in their right mind, would want a job where they risk their lives every day in protecting us?”
Unfortunately, in today’s climate, when they put on the uniform, they become a target. Give our law enforcement officers a big “Thank you,” for they are essential to the security and safety of our families, our communities and our nation. 
Homicides and a multitude of other crimes are up. When are our national leaders going to develop a backbone and stand up and say, “Enough is enough!” We must hold criminals accountable? Without laws, obedience to such laws and respect for law enforcement, there can be no civilized society, only chaos.
Unfortunately, we seem to have entered a new period of lawlessness in our country where some individuals claim an entitlement to break the law with impunity and as criminals are put back on the street, is this really the time to call for defunding the police?
Such a detrimental attitude permeates and corrupts the very fabric of our society. For the privilege of being an American citizen, each of us have the responsibility and duty to obey our nation’s laws. If a police officer gives you a legitimate order – obey it! 
We must acknowledge our dependence on the Divine Author and entreat His guidance for the wisdom to face our considerable challenges for attaining unification, healing discords, dispelling apathy, fostering love and restoring tranquility. 
“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now. Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. The time is always right to do the right thing.” – Martin Luther King Jr.  
Walter Meller lives in Abilene.

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