Michael Geer's piece which was the focus of "We Are?" Part 2 has been bouncing around my mind. The cultural schizophrenia in starting to drive me (I think I am a sane person) mad.

Before I begin this analysis, I think I should be clear. The part of this that fascinates right now is our cultural reaction. This does not mean that I want to distract from the justice that should flow down from the civil authorities to men like Mr. Sandusky and the former administration at Penn State. I am glad that I am not charged with bringing judgment against Sandusky because I would be tempted have him treated in ways that would be cruel and unusual (I read Dante). I believe in capital punishment and I think the civil magistrate should put laws in place that visit this punishment on rapists. I think that authorities who try to sweep this under the rug should also face civil and criminal sanctions.

In our culture, the pulpit thumping is getting louder and louder, and I guess the hypocrisy of this is grinding me. Here is what I mean:

Our culture believes (in the main) that human life is a result of a cosmic accident called evolution. This process (according to our culture) proves that their is no God and no real morality or moral accountability. This process by which all life is maintained is called the survival of the fittest. This means that stronger animals take advantage of and usually devour vulnerable animals. Cats eat mice; dogs eat cats; lions eat dogs; men kill lions who are eating their dogs and eat all sorts of animals. We have no compunction about this. If humans, however, are nothing but self-aware animals or full grown, really smart germs; what is the problem which one stronger animal destroying more vulnerable animals. What is wrong with Sandusky's actions if Darwin is right and if God is dead? The answer is that there is no way for us to condemn the horrible actions of this monstrous man if we are really just animals. No way; no how! If you disagree, I await an answer.

The truth is, however, that down deep we know that this is wrong. We know it because God has built this sense into us. We can and some have blinded themselves or seared themselves so that they cannot feel the gut churning wickedness of these actions, but thankfully most can. I am thankful for this and saddened by it. I just wish that our culture and its pundits would ask "why" more often instead of ranting while they are (in fact) standing on clouds.