Welcome to the "Brave New World"

Aldous Huxley's dystopian depiction of the decoupling of reproduction from procreation, the inverting of sexual norms, drug-induced societal controls, pervasive authoritarian government, and protagonists aware of yet largely apathetic to all of it no doubt seemed disturbing in 1932.  I know it was for me when my wife first encouraged me to read it.  But that was nearly 13 years ago. Today the most disturbing facet of the book is not that it described such a society, but how  how much closer to such we have come in 2011.  Modern in vitro fertilization techniques render the formerly "nuclear" family moot and antiquated.  The rise of the "hook-up" and the promulgation of casual sex engaged in by teenagers and elderly alike has decoupled the sexual act from any form of true love or romance (indeed we march ever more toward that "brave" new "norm" where its is promiscuity that allays our friends fears and monogamy that raises their eyebrows).  Drugs, both illegal and proscription, have coated every nook and cranny of our lives, and deadened our every anxiety much like Huxley's Soma.  The expansion of governmental power, and its intrusion into and control of almost every corner of our lives continues at an astonishing rate.  And above it all, our society seems to care more about ogling Idols who win their fame on television and idles who win their fame simply by being famous than about considering in any depth the absolutely transformative nature of the chains being wound about us.

One more "small" link in those chains will be forged in February of this year when the State Department expunges from Passport applications the words "mother" and "father" and replace them with the much more  "global" terms "parent one" and "parent two."  This which will allow "many different types of families to be able to go and apply for a passport for their child without feeling like the government doesn’t recognize their family."  Such makes me wonder how I should feel if I prefer the terms mother and father, how I should feel if I am glad that I had them, or how I should feel if indeed I believe there is an inherent value in having not just a certain number of generic "parents," but of actually having one be a mother and one be a father.

" 'Mother,' 'Father' Changing to 'Parent One,' 'Parent Two' on Passport Applications " http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/01/07/passport-applications-soon-gender-neutral/

The change follows one made to "passports and consular reports of birth abroad" begun on the 10th day of "Gay Pride" month (June) last year, wherein "the State Department no longer requires that individuals provide proof that they have had sex reassignment surgery, but only requires certification from an 'attending physician' that the individual received 'appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition,' which may or may not include surgery."  If I were truly unloving and unkind, I might wonder if such changes might facilitate an enterprising terrorist in "reassigning" himself as a female in order to wear a burka.  But such a question would surely be hurtful to the transgendered and the terrorist alike, and therefore should certainly never be asked.  I suppose it might be less hurtful but perhaps just as foolish to ask just what such documents are even recording anymore, if such old fashioned terms as "mother" and "father," "male" and "female" no longer have relevance in our modern world.

"State Dept. Changes Passport Policy to Accomodate People Who Change Gender, Even Without Surgery" http://www.cnsnews.com/node/67708

These may be small signs, but they are touchstones to a much more fundamental shift being promulgated in our nation and our world.  Lest someone someone accuse me of over-reacting ("it is after all only words on one simple little form"), consider the following:  on December 23rd, no less than the Chairman of the House Finance Committee, openly homosexual congressman, Barney Frank, "own[ed] up" to a "radical homosexual agenda" (his own words) and issued a clear and confident challenge to any who would hold differing views or attempt to oppose such an agenda: "...for those who are worried about the radical homosexual agenda, let me put them on notice – two down, two to go."

"Barney Frank: ‘Let Me Own Up’ to the ‘Radical Homosexual Agenda’ " http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/barney-frank-let-me-own-radical-homosexu

In that light, his comments made two days earlier that the belief that heterosexuals should not be forced to shower together with open homosexuals exhibits "a degree of discrimination that goes far beyond this" is startling at best, and ominous at worst.  No longer is my discomfort with with making myself an object of objectionable desire simply petty or backward--it is now, in fact, discriminatory.  It does not take much creativity (or paranoia) to hear in his follow up comments that "people who don't want to shower with gay people, then they better not play sports, they better not belong to gyms, they better not go to colleges where not everyone has their own bathroom" the foggy undertones of threat, the creak of the wheels of history turning completely about, or the "freedom" of today becoming the "obligation" of tomorrow.  How long until the showering together of males and females moves from the column of that which will "disrupt people" (Frank's own inexplicable and possibly hypocritical words) to the column of just another thing people "better" accept?  And is it too far-fetched to imagine the list of "better nots" growing?  "...they better not go to the store, they better not go to the school, they better not go to a job, they better not buy a house, they better not speak their mind, they better not..."  I pray I extrapolate much too far.

"Barney Frank: Not Allowing Gays and Straights to Shower Together is ‘Discrimination’ " http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/rep-frank-straight-and-gay-soldiers-must

It is not my aim to be paranoid or reactionary.  But neither do I believe it a sign of wisdom to allow history to be rewritten without comment.  As a nation we once tried to obscure the indelible.  We attempted to demote the value of a man from "created equal" and "endowed by his Creator with certain unalienable Rights" to a mere "three-fifths."  We paid for the undoing of that folly with the blood of half a million lives in war and untold thousands more in the ensuing 100 years of "peace."  Now even clearer markers are being slowly chipped away.  Seemingly brick by brick, the nation that was founded some 235 years ago is being dismantled.  Line by line, foundational precepts that have under-girded human civilization for some 4000 years and more, since its very inception, are being turned upside-down.    Who but the fool cannot but tremble at the "wonders" we now work?

I ask that you pray for us, that we give in neither to hysteria nor despair, paranoia nor sorrow.  Pray for our children, that they have the strength to face the even braver world that we may yet leave to them.  And "follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).

Jeremiah 5:30-31  A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
Jeremiah 8:12  Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 6:16  Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Matthew 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.