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November 6, 2012 is the election day
in America. On this day election will be held for the office of US
President, US Senators, US Congressmen and governors of various
states. Also on this day, many states and counties will hold
election for members of state assemblies, county councils and an
assortment of elected positions. Also on that day various states
will hold referendum on a variety of local and national issues.
Two prominent issues are: Same sex marriage and legalized
gambling.
Same Sex marriage
Presently homosexual men and women in US have all the freedom to
live together and to say openly that they are homosexual. However
in America, marriage is still defined by the definition in Bible
that it is the union of a man and a woman.
In recent years homosexuality has
become prevalent in US; with many political leaders, movie actors,
TV personalities, athletes academics and other celebrities
announcing in public that they are active homosexuals. The major
media in US is avidly supporting the public acceptance of
homosexuality and is advocating that the voters approve same sex
marriage in this year's election time referendum.
Even President Obama had declared his support for same sex
marriage. The homosexual people have formed powerful lobbying
groups who are lobbying to approve the same sex marriage as a
legal institution. Thus a large number of en-bloc voters vowing to
approve the same sex marriage legislation, are putting lot of
pressure on those political candidates and leaders who oppose
legalization of same sex marriage.
In direct opposition to the votaries of same sex marriage are the
religious establishments. Almost all Christian (protestant,
catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, Mormon, Anglican,
seventh day Adventist, christian-scientist) churches, Jewish
synagogues, temples of Buddists, Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslim mosques
are advocating that people reject the legislation that defines
marriage as either between a man and woman, or a man and another
man, or between a woman and another woman. A variety of pastors of
Christian churches that represent the majority of American
population who believe in religion are lobbying to reject the
notion of same sex marriage as antithetical to civilized living.
The fact remains though that a large population in America are
irreligious people who have no faith in religion or God per se.
The number of atheists in America has steadily grown to about 40%
of population as material goods and comforts have become more
commonplace. Such is the dislike for the institution of religion
and God in the majority of US population that they do not even
think of same sex marriage as a new depth of immorality in
society. Bible's description of these people as the people of
Sodom and Gomorrah who were ultimately destroyed with God's wrath
does not cut a dice with them. Of the two political parties, the
Democratic party is an avid supporter of same sex marriage. The
Republican party members though are divided; most of them oppose
it while a minority supports it.
Legalized Gambling
The other immoral issue on which referendum is taking place in US
is that of establishing legalized gambling centers, or casinos in
a variety of cities. The governments of various states are saying
that the income to the government by way of high taxes on gambling
casinos will be ploughed into improving the quality of schools.
Once again it is amazing that the abhorrent institution of
gambling is being sought to be legalized and glorified by its
proponents as saviours of society by helping improve education.
Promoting the evil of gambling in society is not being looked at
as an immoral institution. Again most Christian churches,
synagogues, mosques and temples and the religious leaders of
various faiths are opposing this effort; but with irreligiosity on
the upswing in society, the takers for the appeals of the
religious leaders are in a minority.
Obviously the opening of casinos will lure many a low income
people to try them as a means of getting rich quick. But as
experience shows gambling only results in the poor people loosing
whatever money they have and become poorer. Neglect of families
and children by the men who are the breadwinners and who become
addicted to gambling, with the easy access to gambling centers
close to their residences is a curse that will cause havoc in
society.
Ignoring other harmful causes of decline
In the same vein neither US politicians nor other social leaders
are looking at US conducting wars on third world countries for
about 12 years now, and its huge financial burden on society.
Incidentally US has conducted these wars exclusively in Muslim
countries. Let alone the deaths of about 7,000 US soldiers and
over one million people of the third world countries in these
wars. For 12 years now the US economy is in poor shape,
unemployment is high and the deficit in the US budget has
mushroomed.
There is no question that US is a most scientifically,
economically and militarily advanced nation, the only superpower
on planet earth. Yet the rejection of the guidance that the
institution of religion provides to society, which helps maintain
basic morality and keeps the nation and people on a stright path,
is having a devastating effect on US. The progress of US in
various arenas has slowed down. In the last ten years while the
economy of China grew by 9% and that of India grew by 5%, the US
economy grew by less than 2%.
Such pandering to immortal issues for the sake of votes by the
politicians of the Democratic and Republican parties is causing
much tension and rift in the US society. It is causing immense
harm to the institution of family which is the bedrock of the
American society. It is very lamentable that as recently as 1950s,
the US society respected family values, and the institution of
religion and its guidance in daily ioves of the people. That made
US the most advanced nation on earth. But now accepting policies
that are lowering morality in the nation is also causing an
overall decline in the status of US on the global stage.
The writer can
be reached on: kaleemkawaja@gmail.com
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