The 'Evolution' of Society

There is an evolution occurring in our society; not in the sense of the development of new plant and animal species, but in the gradual change of what society considers its moral base. The list of taboos in place in society just a few decades ago is rapidly evolving into a new moral base.

For example, until just a few years ago, same-sex relationships were kept quiet and in the "closet" at almost all cost. It was a societal taboo that the nation was not ready to accept. Today, the accepted norms in our society are rapidly evolving. In even the last few months, the acceptance of the so-called "alternative lifestyle" as well as its encouragement in various institutions has been accelerating. Let's look at a few examples:

• College recruitment. In a recent article published in the Boston Globe, it was stated that elite colleges are now actively targeting and recruiting gay high school students. One spokesman for the Massachusetts Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth said: "I've heard from several colleges that this is a population they want to reach out to, but that this is the only student population that lacked a good venue to directly market to them." One attempt at providing a marketing venue was the nation's first college fair for gay high school students. Attending were representatives of Harvard, Yale, Brown, Stanford, and about 40 other colleges. One Associate Director of Admissions at the University of New Hampshire had this to say: "It's foolish to act like different sexual orientations are taboo—they're a reality."

• School districts. An article in WorldNetDaily reported: "In addition to being bound by state statutes to promote homosexuality in its 'diversity and "safety' programs, schools face the threat of lawsuits by groups such as the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network." Apparently the attention of school districts across the nation was riveted when a Pennsylvania court awarded $312,000 as compensation to a gay teen for "anti-gay" abuse from the Titusville, Pennsylvania school district. In the huge Los Angeles school district, according to the same WorldNetDaily article: "Instructions on homosexual sodomy and a glorified account of lesbian pedophilia are among the instructional materials approved...for use in 'diversity' and 'safety' programs being presented to elementary through high school students."

• Churches. The pace of change is not evolving quite as rapidly as our educational systems, but there is a continuing evolution that is obvious. One newsworthy example was the suspension by the Episcopal Church of an Episcopal priest who opposes the ordination of homosexuals. It turns out that the priest, David Moyer of Philadelphia, is the head of a 19,000 -member group who opposes what they call "a lifestyle that is contrary to the Christian religion". Moyer, after being suspended for six months, could be removed from the priesthood.

• Tel Aviv, Israel City Council. One might think that the pace of change in Israel, which is the birthplace of Old Testament scriptures, would lag way behind the rest of the world. Not so! In a WorldNetDaily article, it was reported that "the Tel Aviv city council approved a measure to recognize unmarried homosexual (and) lesbian… couples as family units and grant them the same discounts for municipal services that married heterosexual couples receive." This would not be surprising coming from San Francisco or Paris, but it does illustrate how far the winds of change are sweeping the earth.

• The United Nations. In a recent article in the Washington Times, it was reported that "the Bush administration has joined European delegates to an upcoming U.N. summit on children in moving to recognize families in 'various forms,' including unmarried cohabiting couples and homosexual partners. The European-backed changes would make such proposal as homosexual 'marriage' and domestic-partner benefits an internationally recognized right."

The broad sweep of change in so many institutions is clearly an evolutionary process altering accepted morality in society. Yet a quick glance in the Bible reveals the strong sentiment held by the Creator concerning same sex relationships.

In the Old Testament, we find: "If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination" (Leviticus 18:22). This same message is repeated in the New Testament by the Apostle Paul: "…even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due" (Romans 1:26-27).

There seems to be a discrepancy between what the God of the Bible allows and what the morality of society is evolving toward. Of course, many in society outright reject the Bible as the inspired Word of God.

We must realize, though, that no amount of "gay bashing" or shameful violence contrary to the Word of God is going to alter the course of this moral evolution in society. We leave the correction of this to Jesus Christ Himself at His return.

On the other hand, no amount of "gay pride" rallies and marches will change the thinking of those who accept the Bible as the Word of God and as their foundation of accepted morality.

According to Jesus Christ, He will soon return to earth to establish the government of God on the face of the earth, and He will enforce the Bible's standard of morality. Mankind will be taught to live the way of life that will in time bring great joy and happiness.

The skeptic may argue: "I'll believe it when I see it."

To this, we say "stay tuned"—that day may be closer than you think.

If you would like further information about the reality of God, and the surety of His Kingdom, please request our free bookletsFourteen Signs Announcing Christ's Return and The Real God: Proofs and Promises.

This is Jeffrey Fall, with commentary for the Living Church of God.