Don Wildmon

AFA/AFR founder

May 1994 – Why is America experiencing a devastating moral decline? What will it take to turn the decline around?

I don’t have all the answers to that question, but after working to stem the tide for seventeen years, I think I have some valid views on the matter.

One of the most disappointing things about the moral decline has been the response of the institutional church. All the other players in the drama are doing what you would expect them to do. All except the institutional church.

Look at the TV and movie industry. We must remember that those at the highest decision making level in the entertainment media operate apart from the concept of a transcendent God. Their religion is one based on  humans being their own god, and they are using TV and the movies to promote their religion. They want society to adopt their religious perspective, to be as they are. They are doing exactly what they are expected to do. Why should we be surprised?

Those in the pornography industry are driven by greed. Their god is money. They are doing exactly what they are expected to do. Exploitation of people is of no concern to them. Making money is. Why should we be surprised?

But the church? Where are the leaders in the church? When it comes to the sins most widely condoned in our society, the leaders of the institutional church are mostly silent.

We must qualify that statement, because one cannot simply place all leaders in the same basket. Sure, there are some leaders in some churches doing what they can to fight the moral decline. But most of the top leaders in the so called “mainline” denominations are silent.

After 17 years of being involved in the battle, I am convinced that only a spiritual renewal which balances the personal Christian experience with proper social action can bring about an end to the moral decline.

Currently, there are two camps in the institutional church. One feels that the job of the church is to convert individuals. End of job. This group feels that the sole responsibility of the church is to convert the sinner and keep him pure before God.

The other camp feels that the job of the church is to make sure that government institutes social programs to accomplish the good life for individuals. End of job. This group feels the primary responsibility of the church is to get government to take care of individuals. Personal responsibility and repentance are secondary.

The first group has only a vertical view of Christianity. The second has only a horizontal view.

Only when those two views come together in balance will we begin to turn back the tide of immorality sweeping across our land.

One Christian leader put it this way: “I know no piety but personal piety. I know no holiness but social holiness.”

God can turn the tide of moral degradation around. But usually God works through individuals.

That is where you come in.