It’s a simple question really. Has America as a culture and society lost its way? Has violence, greed and lust taken over our lives to such an extent that it has eroded our morality? Certainly not everyone falls into this category but there does seem to be a persistant element that continues to play on our fears, desires and faith. Let’s explore some aspects of our modern society that may give us an indicator as to how we may be deluded into thinking ourselves immune to moral decay.

Television has long been a medium under fire virtually from its invention. Have you noticed the slowly increasing prevalence of violent, disturbing or sexual content programming even on network TV? Many of the more recent programs have gone so far as to glorify violent criminal behavior. You cannot hardly go an evening without having some sort of crima drama on the schedule. Increasingly these programs have gotten more and more gruesome and violent. Unfortunately these are the most watched shows as well. Sitcoms and dramas are also constantly pushing the envelope to see which can have the most sexual innuendo. I am not in favor of censorship by any means. I am merely pointing out that perhaps this is one aspect of our lives that can effect us without our being aware of it happening. Our children could watch and discuss themes that can have a lasting effect on their ability to judge right from wrong..

Motion Pictures are also becoming more and more brazen and almost desparately violent. What do movies such as the Saw series teach us about ourselves? Does watching a movie that has been classified by the media as “torture porn” truly effect the way people behave? Some would say it’s just another horror movie but I would respectfully disagree. A horror movie is meant to scare you, to give you a chill or even make you laugh if the gore is over the top and not disturb you in a profund manner. Granted this genre has always been blamed in the past for popularizing violence. This may be so but up until recently it has never dealt with such strongly immoral themes. Instead of leaving much to the imagination, movies today seem to thrust it in your face. Ticket sales tell us that more and more are enjoying these type of films. What does that tell us about our society? If torture is okay to watch what is next? As I write this there was a violent altercation at a movie theatre during the premiere of Saw V. Coincidence?

However, in regards to moral erosion no other medium can compare to the Internet. At no other time in the vast history of mankind has one thing so gripped us so quickly. The internet can make all our fantasies come true and never has it been so easy to give into our vices. Pornography, prostitution, gambling and sadism are just a few examples that can be easily found with just a quick query in your favorite search engine. Not satisfied with your life then log into an online game and become something you’re not. One can become a virtual hero while morally bankrupting yourself in the real world. The internet is still a relatively new medium yet already we are taking it for granted. What will the fallout be when as a society we finally come to grips with the fact that it is part of the decay?

What sort of conclusions can be draw from these examples? No one can tell you how to live your life. Hopefully though this article has given you pause to reflect on this issue. Certainly the days of the Andy Griffith Show are long gone but hopefully they haven’t been replaced by the Clockwork Orange.