We must marry people of the same race and the opposite sex because that's what God wants.
Tradition and fashion are opposite sides of the same coin.
Tradition says that we must make the same choice that everyone has made before:
We must choose the apple if everyone has always chosen the apple.
Fashion says that we must make the same choice that everyone is making now:
We must wear red shirts if everyone is wearing red shirts now.
Fashion says that when white socks are "in" and you're not wearing them then you must not be "cool", but when white socks are "out" and you are wearing them then you must be some sort of "geek". Is this logical? Can you see how ridiculous this is? Does anyone recognize how they are being manipulated?
It's easy to see how superstition, tradition, and fashion are enemies of freedom of choice, but they are enemies of morality and reason as well. Superstition (specifically the Christian Bible) and tradition were primary reasons why slavery lasted as long as it did even though it was obviously immoral. And how many immoral and illogical choices can you name that have become popular strictly because of fashion?
I have a vivid memory of a senior high Sunday school class and a substitute teacher who was a member of the Iowa state legislature. He was bragging about how he and others like him had stood up for tradition. At that time there was no air-conditioning in the capital building but they had a long standing rule that no one was to remove their coat and tie. One summer day it was more than 90 degrees on the floor of the house and all of the representatives were covered with sweat. Some young whippersnapper made the motion that that rule be suspended or abolished and that they be allowed to remove their coats and ties. My Sunday school teacher was very proud that he and other members of the house had voted that motion down and thus had upheld tradition. I remember feeling greatly offended that a man would use a Sunday school class to tout the ridiculous notion that tradition was more important than reason, and sad that these were the kind of men who were running our government.
Superstition, tradition, and fashion condition people to let others do their thinking for them rather than thinking for themselves. It is this conditioning which makes it possible for charismatic leaders like Hitler to convince a nation that obviously immoral choices are the right thing to do.
Share
Save
Follow Me