It's not intentional...the Church doesn't even know it's doing it...but it happens nonetheless.
It is the day where helpless children become villainous adults.
Day 6575...also known as the 18th birthday.
You see, the Church in America has a passion for helping kids in need...kids who experience poverty and all that goes with it. We hurt for the children whose parents don't care. We cry out for the abused, the rejected, the forgotten. As Christians, we develop programs to take them in and show them love.
When they misbehave--say something inappropriate, break something carelessly, disobey our requests...we understand, because after all, THEY'VE NEVER BEEN TAUGHT.
They're just poor children who can't help that they've been born to lazy, undisciplined, barbaric parents (or so the story goes...). Those poor, unfortunate children...
Until Day 6575.
At that point those children, whose vices were previously so understood and justified, become adults and, as such, the object of wrath for the Evangelical Right.
Far too often, I hear "Christians" spew political venom aimed at the adults in poverty who are a "drag on our precious economy." They are attacked for taking health care and taxpayer money all without contributing their fair share. They are accused of having the same opportunities as everyone else, but merely choosing not to take advantage of them...likely because they are selfish, lazy, and (of course) Democrats.
Day 6574: "You poor kids with no one to love and teach you!"
Day 6575: "You lazy adults need to get your act together or suffer the consequences!"
What a difference a day makes.
To all my neighbors about to turn 18... may we never forget who you are.
Insightful my man... very well said!
ReplyDeleteInteresting.... We have enough adults acting like kids who need an adult day care. Frankly I think more teens need permission to soar and more young adults need courage to break the mold & do hard things like live responsibly act uprightly and press forward no matter the odds. We need to equip our youth so they are grown up when they are 18 rather than shoving them from daycare to school to college for babysitting. And Sun School on the weekends. I have a vision for the way things used to be when 14-15 yr old men were in battle and could stand their ground hold a gun and think.... And girls weren't wimps waiting for rescue or diamonds but took their role at home & in society seriously.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous...
ReplyDeletea couple of thoughts in response:
1) the core of the issue is that many people seem to see the symptoms of the problem (adults who need "adult day care") without taking the time to understand the true nature of the problem and its causes. This leads us to make assumptions about people and get frustrated with THEM, when we should be frustrated with the larger context.
2) it's easy to point out problems...how can we be a part of the solution?
3) longing for the days when kids were capable of going to war seems to idealize a time that had many other problems associated. In fact, the essence of my post is that many problems of todays generation are due to a lack of accountability with the previous generations.
In general, this isn't about excuse making, but being understanding of where other people have come from...particularly those in poverty.
contrary to popular belief, EVERYONE IN AMERICA DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES. We must learn to understand this and act accordingly.