Why are people abandoning religion and a standard of right living?

on Jun 4, 2024

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: The rebellion of the ’60s seems innocent compared to the degradation we see in the culture today. I guess we became accustomed to immorality in all of its various phases and society has become desensitized. Why can’t people see that we are destroying ourselves, our children, and their future? Why are people abandoning religion and a standard of right living? – D.S.

A: The world has been corrupt since the fall of man. Society, as a whole, abides by the rules of men: paying our taxes on time, obeying the rules of the road, and so on. If we don’t obey them, man imposes penalties, and consequences follow that can seriously alter our lives. Yet people mock when it is suggested that we obey the rules of the One who created everything. We have loosened our grip on the standards God has set before us.

Millions are deceived by various belief systems; where deception exists, disillusionment follows. Disillusionment and deception are the two primary alternatives to true faith in God, and they are the handiwork of the great deceiver. Satan transforms himself into an angel of light and has many options in his bag of tricks. The first is leading susceptible people to ignore religion altogether. When we feel alienated, isolated, unloved, lonely, and adrift in a cold, dark universe, we sense we need God. But the deceiver tells us, “There is no God.”

The 19 th-century philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said, “God is dead.” “Do not seek God or Jesus Christ,” the deceiver whispers, “but seek escape.” This is why promiscuous sex runs rampant, why alcohol and drug abuse are commonplace. Without faith in God, people are alone and will do anything to fill the void in their lives. Short of Christ, nothing works. God “commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30, NKJV).

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)