The American Experiment and morality

I have been pondering recently morality and the US. The line of thinking went thus (thusly isn't a word, people):

The currently predominant opinion on the law and issues of morality is tied into the issue of "rights." Unless something is deemed to be destructive to others it should be permitted, or so goes the thinking. Tied to this thinking is an idea of secularism that allows for no comment by religion. Christianity, with it's firm understanding of the wages of sin and a deference to Tradition is muzzled. As a result we see a tendency to expand permissiveness for behaviors once thought universally abominable. What is more, once a behavior has been legitimized, those who continue to "hold on to old stereotypes" or "keep bigoted opinions" are characterized as hateful and behind the times. The idea seems to be that we are moving towards a Utopian society and that to get there we need to "get real" about who people are and how they should be allowed to act. Certainly this isn't time for us to work out our salvation (the word salvation has been relegated to belief and not "reality") but is now a time to improve the standard of living and protect the environment so future generations can do even better.

So, in a nation that has thrown the reins to experimentation, how do we change our course before we fall headlong into a deep ravine? I don't know that we can. That doesn't mean we should abandon the Public Square, but that we should not look for reinforcement that what we are doing as parents, spouses, or children is right.

As Christians we are sensitive to the treatment of others. The importance of good dealings with our neighbors is unquestioned, but what are we to do when our neighbors act in a way that contradicts our morals? There essentially two choices: You can make allowances for the behavior of others to the subjugation (literally: 'brought under the yoke') of the every changing modern-day morality or you can take a measured step back from the world and appraise it with discernment.

When your daughter wants to go swimming with friends and is embarrassed that she has to wear something that covers up more than she'd like, remind her that no one would wear the bikini when it first came out and that the only woman its designer, M. Reard could get to wear it was a nude dancer.

When your son wants to go on a date with a girl alone to some undisclosed locale you would do well to take a moment and think. What is the endgame here? What possible good will result from this? What ill?

When your sister meets a very nice [insert non-Orthodox faith here] man who wants to marry her and she asks you what you think about him you might pause for a moment. In the interlude you might ponder how marriage isn't about warm, cuddly feelings or about how "nice" the man is. In marriage your spouse helps you work out your salvation. How can he do that if his understanding of God's call is not yours?

When you go out to eat on a Friday and everyone wants to go to the local steakhouse are you making a scene by asking if other places might be ok or are you remembering Christ’s crucifixion?

You see what I'm getting at. Everyday actions translate into your life. It is what we do as much as what we pray for that marks our time on this earth. Whether the nation agrees with our faith or not, we are obliged to live a life agreeable to God.