London riots spread.

This week’s London riots have spread menacingly across the nation to Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool.  Youthful rioters burned vehicles and buildings and looted shops and businesses. More than 100 police were injured and more than 1,000 youths were arrested—some as young as age 11!

While some attribute the riots to race and class issues, sociologists say the youthful rioters are “unoccupied—and therefore more likely to loiter on the streets and in shopping centers, and to get wrapped up in the madness of rebellion” (Time, August 10, 2011; Telegraph, August 9, 2011).  Although many youths may have “nothing to do,” the question remains, “Where are the parents in all of this?”  Young people today are not being taught to respect people or property and they are not properly supervised.  As a result, many people lost their homes, autos and businesses to the destructive mobs.

Isaiah prophesied of the end of the age, “As for My people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O My people!  Those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths” (Isaiah 3:12).  Society today is reaping the results of children left to raise themselves and parents who are often absent.  God speed the day when the hearts of fathers are turned to their children and the hearts of children are turned to their fathers (Malachi 4:6)!