YOUNG PEOPLE MUST TUNE OUT MEDIA'S BRAINWASHING

Right is right, though all men be against I, and wrong is wrong, though all
be for it. William Penn congealed truth in that statement.

There are moral absolutes. Situational ethics based on relativism don't work.

The new morality society of which our youth are a part doesn't operate on
that basis. With them that which determines right or wrong is "Does it
work?" If it does, to them it is right. If it doesn't, it is wrong.

What the older generation must do to reach and minister to the younger
generation is to learn how to show that what is right works and what is
wrong doesn't work.

There is a reason right is right and wrong is wrong. Right works in the
long run and wrong doesn't. It is that simple. It is not simple to
communicate the logic in each decision, however.

Impropriety, immorality and unethical behavior have adverse consequences.
They provide kicks with a kickback. Living it up can have results hard to
live down. The act and the ultimate result must be connected logically for
youth to understand.

This is further complicated in that if it feels good, it is assumed to be
working.

Adults often try to correct improper conduct by dealing with the symptom
rather than the cause. The cause is improper core values and/or a wrong
belief system. It takes time and intellectual honesty to correct either.

Acts come from core values. Core values are based on beliefs. They form a
pyramid. Beliefs are the base, core values rest on them, and conduct is the
consequence.

Many youth are taught the basic beliefs of our faith, but fail to develop a
system of core values based on them. As a result, they are well informed on
what to believe, but without core values in keeping with those beliefs,
engage in conduct in conflict with those beliefs.

The diet of MTV, carnal movies, and corruptive music is often the basis for
the core values of many youth. Their conduct reveals it. Glitz and glamour
make it appear the core values advocated are working. Hence, they are right.

The drug deaths, diseases, suicides, breakups and breakdowns in the
entertainment community reveal it is a system of values that isn't working.
The reason is such conduct is wrong.

Sooner or later, every person has to sit down to a banquet of consequences.

Somewhere between beliefs and conduct there is a disconnect. Many who have
been reared and mentored with sound moral and spiritual beliefs engage in
contrary conduct.

Britney Spears, reared in my little home community, was brought up going to
and singing in church. She attended a very good private Christian school.
The moral standards of the community were wholesome.

Like millions of others, she developed core values contrary to the belief
system in which she grew up.

To help a young person live a circumspect life, they must not only be
taught right from wrong but taught to avoid negative brainwashing offered
by certain segments of the media.

Dr. Nelson L. Price is pastor emeritus of Roswell Street Baptist Church,
www.nelsonprice.com