LIFE HAS NO PURPOSE.
Is that inspiring or what?
I don't often state my feelings in a blunt way, but let me tell you how I truly feel:
Welcome to high school and the world we live in. Atheism and Liberalism can ring loud and clear, but don't you dare hint at God, or you'll be crucified. We live in a society where teachers may freely teach, discuss, give input & express acceptance of politically correct social, liberal, and atheist concepts, but they must walk on eggshells if their moral views differ in the slightest or hint at a personal belief in God.
Back to the speech. Apparently her dad told her the answers to life's 3 greatest questions when she entered Kindergarten, at the time she didn't understand them, but she understands them, now. He told her that there is no purpose to life, the secret to life is f(x), and that the meaning in life is when you are surrounded by those you love. She explained that none of us have a purpose for being here, that applying f(x) to life means that you get out of it what you put into it, and that it's important to have love. I can only agree with her 2nd and 3rd points. I overheard people standing near us as they recapped other memorable moments in the speech: "I learned that she hates Shakespeare, and that dreams don't come true." Unfortunately, it looks like her shocking comments left a louder impression than her inspirational moments.
A few weeks ago I heard another high school student give a speech on character at a National Honors Society Induction. His opening statement was, "It's hard to define character, because it means something different to everyone."
What does he mean it means something different to everyone? Maybe that's how he feels, because when he looks around, that's how our society is functioning. But why? Believer or non-believer, we should have the same standard for character as a society. Character should not be difficult to define! It's explained in simple terms on charactercounts.org: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring. But instead of helping our kids understand character, they are growing up in a society where definitions of character are changed daily based on the most popular trend. Lucky us, we're winding up with a lack of culture and respect.
As the night wore on, we congratulated the graduates (insert photos here), and as we left, our conversation turned to some of the most recent happenings in the national news - the Oklahoma tornado, the brutality overseas, local criminal trials, etc. I made the comment that as tragic as it is, I think losing a loved one to a tornado would be better than losing a loved one in an attack, and my son piped up, "This world is just getting so bad! We need more missionaries, more churches, more people believing in Christ!"
My brother, Heber was amazed and said, "What 6 year old says things like that?"
I told Tyson he should have given the graduation speech. It made a lot more sense. What this world needs is more people reaching out to others, more churches teaching principles of kindness, morality, love. Without a doubt, we need more believers who turn to God, not away from him.
But honestly, even if you don't believe in God, believe that life has purpose and meaning--even if it's just a purpose, mission, or passion that you choose. For goodness sake, please have a purpose, and teach your Kindergartner that life is worth living for! Make your family your purpose--be the best brother, sister, husband, wife, aunt, uncle, mom or dad that you can be, but don't turn your energy and love for life stagnant by removing the reasons that would motivate you and your kids to keep aspiring higher. Having a purpose is what helps us strive to be better.
Here's the truth, folks:
(taken from http://www.lds.org/friend/2008/01/my-life-is-a-gift-my-life-has-a-plan?lang=eng)
All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World”).
My Life Is a Gift; My Life Has a Plan
My life is a gift; my life has a plan.
My life has a purpose; in heav’n it began.
My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth
And seek for God’s light to direct me from birth.
(“I Will Follow God’s Plan,” Children’s Songbook, 164–65)
These words teach that you lived with Heavenly Father before you came to earth. You are His child. Heavenly Father asked His Son, Jesus Christ, to create the earth. The earth was prepared so you could come and receive a body. You were also given agency, and you chose to come to earth and learn to follow Heavenly Father’s plan.
Where was this? My high councilor brought up the same thing in his talk on Sunday. How sad that that little girl had to hear such a thing at the tender age of five!
ReplyDelete