Once we as a class finished 1984, our teacher then introduced us to the book Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. This book was also a satire on socialism, mocking the control of the World State on its citizens, but with devices opposite to those used in 1984. It was a fascinating study in contrasts. Where Orwell themed his world control on hate, Huxley themed his controlled society on "love"; not real love but its counterfeit, lust, along with hedonism, consumerism, drug-induced hallucinations - anything to escape reality.
Both societies ultimately came up short of successful because neither society allowed the truth into it. Orwell's hateful O'Brien dismissed the truth in dystopian Oceania by declaring that 2+2=5 because he said so and the drug soma and "the feelies" did it for the World State's people in Huxley's utopian London. The foresight of the authors is astounding. Brave New World was written in 1932 and 1984 was written in 1949. Our recent history swing from the world wars, the Holocaust and communism to the "love is love" generation is represented in these books.
And so, here we are in 2015. A mere 48 hours ago, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) expanded that country's definition of marriage by legalizing "same-sex marriages" in all states. Even though other countries have already done this, Canada included, there is something different when the Americans do it. It takes on greater momentum. Now, a superpower has altered the oldest and most exclusive institution known to mankind. With the stroke of a pen, a majority of the nine justices made 2+2=4 and 5.
What is sad is the number of people who identify themselves as Christians but support "same-sex marriage". In short, they reason that Jesus is all about love and "love is love". It doesn't matter who you love as long as you love them sincerely. In their minds, Jesus would approve of gay marriage. I'm afraid that's a distortion of Jesus and His message to the world. Yes, Jesus loves all people. He came to reconcile a sinful world to God who also loves the people in it. But Jesus also came to bear witness to the truth and said in John 18:37, "Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."
The child-of-God-like character who "invaded" Huxley's London of the World State, John the Savage, hungered and thirsted for truth and righteousness but was spurned. The masses were at first intrigued by his celebrity but when he failed to play to the crowd, they lost interest. John left his mark, though, on the Magdalene figure of Lenina and the Judas-like Bernard who thought he could control him. Christians carry similar burdens in this world and would be crushed were it not for the sure victorious hope we have in trusting Christ.
Friday's SCOTUS decision will have a great impact on culture, and because the U.S. exports its culture, it is going to impact the world. It will advance liberalism which will demand a blessing on whatever liberals demand. Our Brave New World will continue to try and erase the differences between the genders and universalize love under its commandeered rainbow symbol. This may spark a conservative backlash and will polarize those who claim fealty to Jesus Christ and His Church. In fact, it's already happening, a storm that has been gathering for a while.
Friday's SCOTUS decision will have a great impact on culture, and because the U.S. exports its culture, it is going to impact the world. It will advance liberalism which will demand a blessing on whatever liberals demand. Our Brave New World will continue to try and erase the differences between the genders and universalize love under its commandeered rainbow symbol. This may spark a conservative backlash and will polarize those who claim fealty to Jesus Christ and His Church. In fact, it's already happening, a storm that has been gathering for a while.
It is ultimately God who decides what is right and wrong. It is not for man to do so. Before he became the U.S. President, Calvin Coolidge said, "Men do not create laws they do but discover them. Laws must be justified by something more than the will of the majority. They must rest on the eternal foundation of righteousness." We are to be ruled by righteousness, not consensus.
