The Death of Shame

Okay, I'm just pulling this one out like The Amazing Kreskin. However, it is a real issue that's been on my mind, and not only as it pertains to children (I don't claim to know anything about child-rearing inasmuch as I don't have children). The death of shame is mankind's downfall. It causes the collapse of once-mighty people. Remember Rome? I have noticed that people of all ages have seemingly forgotten how to be ashamed. It makes me wonder if they at any time in their lives were ever ashamed of anything.

I pulled up an older posting of Michelle Malkin's from February 11, 2008 about an eight year-old boy of Jacksonville, Florida who misbehaved at school. His mother made him stand out on the sidewalk for three hours holding a placard that read, "I was rude to my teacher. I can't come to school. I am sorry!!!" The reverse said, "I will make good choices." Now that's responsible and effective parenting. That mama rocks.

One commenter to Michelle's article posted the following which is a list on his office wall entitled, "How To Raise A Juvenile Delinquent In 12 Easy Lessons:"

1. Begin with infancy to give them everything they want. That way they will grow up believing that the world owes them everything.

2. When they pick up “bad” or “dirty” words, laugh at them. That will make them think it is “cute”. They will then run off and pick up some words that will blow the top of your head off.

3. Never give them any spiritual training, until the age of 21 and then let them decide on their own. By the same logic, never teach them the English language. Maybe when they are old enough, they will decide to speak Bantu.

4. Praise them in their presence to all the neighbors; show how much smarter they are than the neighbors’ children.

5. Avoid the use of the word “wrong”. It may cause them to develop a “guilt complex”. This will prepare them to believe that when they are punished later on for stealing cars or assaulting others that society is “against them” and that they are being “persecuted”.

6. Pick up everything after them: shoes, books, clothes, etc. Do everything for them so they will be experienced at throwing burdens on others.

7. Let them read anything they want. Have no concern whatever for what goes on in their mind. Provide them with lily white cups for their lips, but let their brain drink out of any dirty container for words and ideas.

8. Quarrel frequently in the presence of your children. This way they will be prepared for broken homes later.

9. Give them all the spending money they want. Never require them to earn their own. They should learn that society owes them a living and they should never have to work to support themselves or the next generation of delinquents they may raise.

10. Satisfy all of their cravings for food, drinks, and everything else that has to do with the sense of taste and touch, gratifying every sensual desire. In this way, they can justify stealing from others, raping someone for sexual gratification, using drugs, etc.

11. Take their side against policemen, teachers and neighbors. They are all “prejudiced” against your child.

12. When they get into real trouble, always defend yourself and say, “I never could do anything with that child.”

- Author Unknown

Have we forgotten when and/or how to be ashamed? There are a couple of questions I ask myself when in doubt about some issue: (1) If Jesus were to return this instant, would I want him to see me here; and (2) If Jesus were to return this instant, would I want him to see me doing this? That's my own version of W.W.J.D. If the Spirit convicts us, we will feel shame for inappropriate actions (Ps. 25: 3; 44: 15; 83: 16). Shame is brought about by our own lack of self-discipline (Pr. 1: 7; 8: 33-36; 13: 18). That being said, feeling ashamed is a good virtue to have and feeling it can prevent truly shameful consequences.

There' s just not enough time to cover all the material I have on this, but I put it out here for you to ponder and comment on.

Love Ya,
God Bless!