DECENCY 1950 vs 2010

DECENCY 1950 vs 2010
by Jim Martin/euronitram54@gmail.com

The word Decency is a word that seems to have lost it's influence among many in today's World. I remember sitting in a movie theater in the 1950's and hearing an actor use the first curse word that we had ever heard in a film. When the actor uttered "damn", a gasp erupted in the audience and there was a murmur that lasted for a few minutes . But the talk about that life changing verbal assault continued for weeks and months. It seemed to open the door of Indecency in the way we communicate our feelings or description of situations in life. As the years passed, the censors seemed to dilute the standards of what was deemed "decent" anymore. Much like when we start gaining a few pounds and we say ,"Oh, it's just 2/3 pounds". But once that standard changes on a weekly/monthly basis, our weight is out of control and the same has happened to Decency.
The lack of Decency creeps into every fiber of our lives. It hurts business relationships when business people are not decent in their interactions with each other and fail to do what they said they would do. Oh, we can make all kind of excuses of why we act indecently in business or don't do what we said we would do, but it all boils down to treating others the way you would like to be treated. With Decency.
Parents can teach their children Decency in the early years by being a role model. They can be Decent in the way they treat their children on a daily basis and can be Decent to others so their children can see this behavior and yearn to be the same. Parenting is so hard today because much of the music, movies,TV shows, friends at school ---attacks the fundamentals of Decency on an hourly basis .Everything the Parent has tried to teach their children in Decency at home in the first five years is now assaulted daily the minute your child leaves the house every morning.
Oh, the 1950's weren't perfect--they were just better. The late 1800's weren't perfect--they were just better -- more Decent and Proper.
There are TV personalities who attack others and say some "really" Indecent things-seemingly not caring who they hurt or influence.These people seem to have lost the understanding of what a huge responsibility they have in this electronic age we live in today.
Decency starts in the heart. I heard of a bumper sticker this morning that says "If you are Born Again--tell your face". The same goes for a person who realizes that Decency is a better way to live and help others. The heart needs to let the face know about Decency. My Mother had written in her Bible that the only thing you can take to Heaven is what you did for other people. She defined Decent for me and I can "still" remember her saying,"Jimmy,that is not right". She was nice and Decent to our family and to others.
I have two Granddaughters who have learned Decency at a young age--thanks to good Parenting by my Daughter and her Husband.Like all children, they face challenges to maintaining Decency as they grow up. Their Decency starts in their hearts and I believe they will be fine. They "define" Decency for me today.
We all have had times of "not" being Decent to others but that does not mean that we cannot remind ourselves daily how important Decency is in this World . And what a tremendous difference we can make in society by being "more Decent" to others as opposed to just "telling" people about it. Living your remaining years as a Decent person can only help this World's future.
Jim Martin