What Happened to the America that Used to Be?

The Destruction and Havoc that Drugs have brought to this Nation!

Probably every American can think back to what the country used to be but is no more. Of course, this is a Christian assessment of what formerly was, but still this is what used to be in America. We don’t in any way say that these conditions were perfect from a Biblical standpoint, but still they existed. Nor are we seeking to have us pine for “the good old days” for those days didn’t exist—other than in our imagination.

But still we must admit that in the past 30, 50, or 70 years the country has gone downhill—and, sadly, it seems to have gone downhill quickly. Each day, it seems, we read or hear of more “bad” news that will further change the nation from a relatively safe haven to a very dangerous place in which to live. Let’s briefly discuss this and look at only one aspects—with the thought that perhaps in the future we will be able to look at other aspects.

We are referring to the increase of drugs with some 100,000 people (mostly young people) dying each year. And we are referring to the drug cartels from Mexico that promote fentinol, and many other dangerous and illegal drugs. We refer to such drugs as Asian methamphetamine or Cannabis. Cocaine and heroin are also imported. Afghanistan is also a leading producer of illegal drugs (even though it is perhaps one of the most Islamic countries in the world—with over 99% in this religion!) According to what I’ve discovered, perhaps half of the Mexican cartel’s revenues comes from marijuana (or cannabis) and these other wicked, illegal, and wrongful drugs. This is especially true since the 1990s. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_drug_war#)

Probably people from around the world wonder about this for they don’t know of the illegal drug trade that constitutes the cartel’s business. They have their own problems but, as I said, about 100,000 people (especially young consumers) do take overdoses and die each year.

Just why do they do this?  From the consumer’s standpoint, we know that this is a vicious and evil practice. Yet we must admit that those who consume or take all of these drugs are evil. They may be young, but their hearts are wicked and their lust for pleasure seems to know no bounds. And thus, in America alone, some 100,000 young people kill themselves! We wonder about the nations of the world!

From the standpoint of those who supply this drug, we know that the Mexicans who bring the drug into the States are sinning and apparently care little about the fatalities that their work brings. But we must go on. Apparently the Far East (China?) are also gravely guilty and their work of murder goes on across the borders. (We also think of Afghanistan and other Islamic nations!) Just why this is so and their own government doesn’t stop it, we don’t know but we suspect that there are various reasons—including financial.

How does the Christian look at this? Of course, the believer must not just place the blame on those who die (although much blame does exist here for there would be no illegal trade and consumption if people were reasonable, law-abiding, clean, wholesome, and, above all, Christian. We are referring to not merely Americans here but thousands of people around the world!

There are hundreds of thousands who take these drugs and don’t die, but probably millions of men and women (e.g., young men and young women) are guilty of this sinful practice of drug taking. Furthermore, we believe that the Mexican men (?), the Chinese and other Eastern suppliers—all of these are guilty before God. All of them must face a God of judgment and give an account for their irresponsible, greedy, unlawful, and utterly sinful activity.

If the Christian has been guilty of taking these drugs or selling them, what can he do? First, we know that this is illegal—and this man or woman must face the consequences. He or she must turn himself in to the authorities—and face the consequences which may be a stay in prison or jail (Romans 13:1-7). On the other hand, we know that if a person is a child of God and has fallen for this foolish sin, he must seek God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:8-10). Of course, he or she must also confess to this sin, whether it be to one’s father, or mother, or siblings, or friends, or authorities. In all ways, the person must seek forgiveness! We must seek to do that which will be meaningful not not in a year or two but for all eternity!

We must add another matter, one that concerns thousands of people (in the United States and certainly around the world). It is this: These criminals also are involved in massive “human trafficking.” What do we mean by this term? Human trafficking Human trafficking is “the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labour, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others.^” The United States definitely is included in this matter of trafficking. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_trafficking_in_the_United_States ).

As we understand the situation, these cartels are not only involved in the wicked trade of drugs but also human trafficking, or the transportation and “business” of buying and selling human beings (especially women) for the “pleasure” of the buyer. This malicious practice involves in many different people. We are not merely writing about Thailand, India, Malaysia, and other Asian countries but also Mexico (that we have been dealing with here).

We read this about the worldwide exploitation of all genders and ages:

According to the Report, the most common form of human trafficking (79%) is sexual exploitation. The victims of sexual exploitation are predominantly women and girls. Surprisingly, in 30% of the countries which provided information on the gender of traffickers, women make up the largest proportion of traffickers. In some parts of the world, women trafficking women is the norm. https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/global-report-on-trafficking-in-persons.html)

Thus, as we have said above, this trafficking is found in America—particularly the larger cities (such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and others. It is sad but a reality and, of course, these “traffickers” will one day be judged by an wrathful God.

In summary, we must say that America is not what it used to be. We are not in any way saying that in the past conditions were good. Not at all. Drunkenness was rampant, the use of tobacco was widespread, the abuse of the blacks through slavery was despicable (Scripture calls this     ), evil committed against women was

May we always seek to be true to God, wholesome in our work, pure in our relationships, guiltless in our practices, and honest before God and others.

(Perhaps we will have reason to look at other aspects in the future.)