The Road Back to Civilized Society
Copyright 1991 John E. Cox, M.D.

In two previous articles (Part I & Part II) we showed:

I. That the cause of most of the problems in America is a lack of morality.
2. That morality and religion cannot be separated.
3. That America, its laws and institutions are based upon Biblical teachings.
4. That two generations have passed with insufficient imparted knowledge of moral and Biblical principles for our people.
5. That our nation is becoming an uncivilized jungle.

Now what must we know to restore our nation to the civility it once enjoyed?

A baby is an uncivilized human being. He screams when he wants something, soils his pants, knocks things out of his way, stuffs food in his mouth with his hands, strikes out when he feels like it. The baby must be taught the rules of a civilized society.

First:  Manners: The social graces. Say "please"  "thank you", "excuse me, "use your fork", Be polite, dress properly, take your turn, be discriminating in your taste. Boys don*t hit girls.

Second:  Ethics: The standard of character set up by any race or nation.

Respect the rights of others
Play fair, Do your duty.
Be responsible, Keep the trust.
Use decent language, don*t cuss.
If you borrow something, return it.
If you drop something, pick it up.
Keep your promise.
Do a good days work.
Live within your means.
  Be loyal to your country.
Don't do to others what you wouldn't want them to do to you.

Third:  Morals: The good conduct acceptable in our society, what is right and wrong.

Do no harm.
Don't murder, Human life is sacred.
Don't slander people.
Respect the marriage covenant.
Obey the law.
Respect God - don't profane His name.
Help others in need.
Train up your children in the way they should go.
Don't pollute your body, it is a sacred vessel.
Be proud of yourself, you are a child of God.
Honor your parents.
Keep the Sabboth.

These three basics: Manners, Ethics and Morals are the absolute essentials if we are to live in a free and happy nation, under a government of laws and not the law of the jungle.

The code of conduct in this country is that derived from Judaeo-Christian teachings. The textbook of which is the Holy Bible. Now this does not mean that everyone who lives in this country must adhere to a specific religious belief. Not at all. The beauty of this American System is that Catholic, Protestant, Jew, Muslim, Shinto, Buddhist or atheist, black, white, yellow or red can live together in harmony and peace under the umbrella and protection of a government and society based on Reformation Christianity - if men will respect this as the moral foundation of this form of government and abide by these principles. Americanism is, for its citizens, inclusive, not exclusive. You may live in this country and benefit from its opportunities and liberty even if you don't wish to subscribe to the specific religious belief that made it such a great country, but you will make it a better country if you contribute to the Christian consensus.

In 1840 a Frenchman, Alexis De Tocqueville had published four volumes of a study of "Democracy in America".  He said he did not find the source of America's greatness in her halls of Congress, or centers of Commerce or in its schools. But he found it in her churches where the pulpits were "aflame with righteousness".  He concluded "America is great because America is good: and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."

What a prophecy! Is this coming true in our day? This "goodness" or morality of which DeTocqueville speaks must pervade every aspect of our lives. It must be found in our legislators, business men, craftsmen, artists, professionals, educators, churches, news media, entertainment media and literature.

There is no "brotherhood of men" without the Fatherhood of God. As the song says "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me".  Any real change in a society such as ours that depends on individual self-government must begin with the individual and in his heart. How shall you choose? I faced this decision over twenty-five years ago when my family left a socially popular church and searched for one in which the Bible was taught as God's Word. I learned, after much instruction and study:

that the Holy Bible is the only inerrant Word of God and not just history and "a bunch of legends, myths and contradictions,"

that Christianity is not just a religion but a personal relationship with a living God,

that though all men are sinners, even I can receive God*s "Amazing Grace" if I make a personal commitment,

that you don't do good works to become a Christian but because you are a Christian,

that you try to live your daily life according to Scriptural Principles.

This is, of course, another way of saying that the Lord stands at the door and knocks and whosoever will can open the door and invite Him in and learn of a great new road to a happy and fulfilled life. This doesn't mean that you must then become an ascetic who mustn't smile on Sunday, Christians can have lots of fun and be well balanced people. The Bible often speaks of joy.

One should be wary in his search for truth that he doesn't fall for some false philosophy that "tickles his ears". There are many cults today that leave the unwary with books and literature that claim to supersede or add to the Bible.

Being born into a Christian family, going to church or being Christened as a baby or doing nice things doesn't automatically mean one is a Christian. Not anymore than the claim of an immigrant who gets off a ship from a foreign land, throws up his hands and cries "Now I am an American." He must first learn the principles of our republic, swear allegiance to them and sign a pledge.  So one must not rely on his parents commitment but make his own.

The great evangelist of our time, Billy Graham, has led many thousands to Christ but then they must continue to grow in the Word and be responsive to it. Therefore, one should seek a church that teaches the Gospel from the scriptures and where Bible study courses are available. This answers the need for Christian fellowship and spiritual growth in the Word. Then after one has attained this level of spiritual maturity, he must help others — First his family, especially the Children. Recall the sequence- manners, ethics and morals with their scriptural base and teachings of the love of God. Then the Christian reaches out to his church, school, community, state and nation. Christian fellowship, service and growth are important, therefore church is essential.

When I was a boy in public schools, some 70 years ago, in New York, New Jersey and Canada, I heard the Bible read every morning. We prayed and pledged allegiance to the flag in U.S.A. I never saw any evidence that anyone was harmed by hearing the words of the Bible but I know we were made better to see that God was revered in our society. It would do much to restore the decency in society to have the Bible read daily in the public schools as it is in many private schools and prayers said daily as they are in Congress. The First Amendment was never intended to keep God out of our institutions. In fact, schools were started in this country so children could learn to read the Bible.

Who can deny the need for moral teaching in our schools today? And morals, we've learned, must have a religious basis and America chose Christianity.

Our communities need relief from the drug scene, child abuse and molestation, untimely pregnancies, rampant venereal disease including Aids, drive-by-shootings, and every manner of depravity. How long can we go on refusing to see that these are all moral issues that must be attacked with moral answers? Are "say no to drugs' building more prisons and handing out condoms the best we -can do? How futile and hopeless!!

Then only as individuals, families, schools, churches and communities become more Godly, so will the demand for morality in local, state and national government. The whole nation is shamed when our Congressmen debauch their trust by prostitution of their office. Thus it is that we see the need for change in our society, back to the moral and religious base which many ill-informed try to deny. When we accomplish this we will no longer hear the despairing cries of "Who am I?", "nobody loves me" "I have low self esteem" "I must find myself." Instead our people, young and old will shout with pride, "I am a child of freedom, Child of God". "God made me and He don't make no junk!" -This is the source of true self-esteem.

So in conclusion, we must summarize:

The solution to the majority of problems -besetting our society is a return to our moral -and religious base. Two generations of apostasy have denied our Godly heritage.

The Bible is the textbook of our American System and we must know and follow it.

The efforts of every American, especially those who are parents, are needed to reclaim our rightful heritage.

The hour is late, many forces are aligned against us, and it may take a generation to -accomplish but we had better begin right now. God promised: "If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (II Chronicles 7:14).

Return to Part I - Where Is The Outrage? Return to Part II - America's Civil Heritage and its Decline Go to Biography of Dr. John E. Cox This series of articles was originally published by Dr. Cox in 1991.  He maintains the copyright to this material but has authorized its further publication provided credit is given and links are made to http://www.sarges.com/Cox/ on any internet publication of this material.