Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 4, 1994 TAG: 9410190008
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CODY LOWE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Regular readers will recall that two weeks ago I related Charles Colson's story of sitting down to lunch with William Bennett and being stumped when he was asked to name any positive trend in our culture.
I contended that such negativism was unseemly for Christians, in particular. I offered a few of what I considered cultural positives and asked for your suggestions. Herewith are some of your nominations:
Several of you mentioned the hospice movement: "Caring people who take the time to be trained, to help patients and their families who are in the late stages of cancer [or other terminal disease]. The results are usually very positive, improving the quality of lives," said Nancy Downs of Clifton Forge.
Ecological and environmental awareness was another positive mentioned by several readers.
There is, Jack Miller of Roanoke said, "growing awareness of the interdependence of all elements of the universe. Environmental awareness is the most obvious manifestation of this trend."
"Even my small community [Chamblissburg/Stewartsville] has recycling bins," said Cynthia Jones. "Could you have foreseen curbside pickup of recyclables in the Roanoke Valley a decade ago?" Susie Fetter of Roanoke asks.
Fetter also cited decreased smoking and the institution of smoke-free zones; increased opportunities for professional women; and the exposure of domestic physical and sexual abuse.
Miller also pointed out "Our growing sensitivity to human rights" as a positive cultural trend.
The religiously based abstinence movement among teens encourages Annah Crawford of Blacksburg.
John Hodges, also of Blacksburg, added "the slowing of the rate of population growth ... and the increasing reluctance of the American public to accept the risks of sending troops overseas to meddle in affairs not clearly our business."
"The silent army of volunteers who day by day make a difference in countless lives," offered Elrica Graham of Pulaski. Tom (who didn't give his last name) of Blacksburg seconded that, and added the increased access to public life afforded "the beneficiaries of the Americans with Disabilities Act."
"We are beginning to see a cure for the `affluenza' that has made our nation sick for the past 30 years. More people are refocusing on things that have long-lasting value, such as family and relationships," suggests Lynne V. Thrasher of Roanoke County.
Other suggestions of positive trends included the end of the Cold War and the military draft, our "quality and level of personal liberty," communications technology, "the growing movement of people to self-awareness," and "the endurance of virtue."
"Our culture contains a certain essence of goodness buried beneath the hateful and meretricious [garbage] that passes for `culture,''' concluded one anonymous reader.
Finally, two observations - one specifically for Christians, the other for everyone.
John Woolwine of Roanoke says, "I would encourage [Christians] to find strength in reviewing the history of our faith. The church of Christ grew rapidly during early years of persecution, and it continues today worldwide despite assaults by Visigoths and vandals, both ancient and contemporary."
And a call to reveille from Grace Leary of Radford: "The advantages of today's world probably just balance the disadvantages. I suspect they always have and always will. But I believe in an obligation to keep trying to make it better."
by CNB