Time to recover some of the holy qualities of life (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Time to recover some of the holy qualities of life

6:41pm Tuesday 29th November 2011 in Rev Kevin Logan column By Rev Kevin Logan , Lancashire Telegraph columnist

The leaders of a decent town like Accrington say they have ‘no moral objection’ to an explicit adult entertainment lap dancing bar round the corner from three churches and a nursery, and across the road from the bus station where our school children are dropped off.

It matters not that it is the most appalling example we can give our kids, especially in the town centre, 30 yards from where our leaders made their decision in the town hall.

Meanwhile, in homes across county and country, “parents can’t see anything wrong in dressing up their children in 'Future Wag' T-shirts and letting them wear make-up, high heels and ‘mini-me’ sexy clothing”.

These quoted words come this week from Dr Helen Wright, president of the Girls’ Schools Association, as she condemned the “moral abyss” in which increasing numbers of our children are being raised.

It always amazes me personally that we spend millions teaching our kids how to have safer sex yet never ever teach them how to say “NO”; never help them to successfully cope with the pressures of their male peers and our sad society.

Dr Wright, who used to visit her parents just beyond Rossendale, also criticised X Factor contestants who “are taught to be at each other’s throats”, adding, “Qualities such as bullying and arrogance are glamorised and become synonyms for ambition and drive.

“Young people look up to these so-called stars who have themselves been catapulted into a spotlight which can be far too much for them.”

Advent Sunday begins the four-week season of preparing for the Christ child, who at the first Christmas brought light and delightful, holy qualities of life.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to recover some of them?