Farewell...? - 5 July 2008

My dear friends

Yesterday I was reminded of the doctoral thesis by a South African liberal theologian entitled 'Farewell To Innocence.'

My heart broke yesterday morning during the plenary session of the Youth Conference.  Young people were given an opportunity to face some of the evils that are destroying the youth, to discuss them and to suggest possible solutions. My initial shock was turned to sadness as I realised how real problems like drugs, pornography, crime, rape, teenage pregnancies and HIV/AIDS are to these young people.

If anyone should be thankful for rapid advances in technology then I should lead the queue. For that I only need to look at the collection of technological gadgets around me that help to support my life and enable me communicate. On the other hand, I am dismayed by the ugly downside of modern technology which is exposing young people to floods of dirt like pornography through TV, the internet and cell phones.

One of the most beautiful past mental pictures I have of outreaches to schools is the sea of young innocent faces. During recent visits to schools my colleague, Kjell Olsen, commented about how the reflection of innocence on the faces of schoolchildren has gone lost. What one sees now on children's faces are the symptoms of the sick society from which they come. The same goes for many of the young people who come to the conferences.

During the discussions there was quite a bit of justifiable finger-pointing, to inadequate or absent parenting, betrayal by family members who prey on the young that they should be protecting, liberal government laws and that big culprit, peer pressure.

I cheered in my heart when towards the end some of the young people stressed that in spite of others failing us, we must take responsibility for the wrong choices and decisions that we make in life.

Yes, much of the innoncence we knew in our societies is gone with the winds of the present age but throwing in the towel and bidding farewell to innocence is defeatism.

 

The theme of the Youth Conference is "What is your hope?" The message through the week was about turning from all evil and seeking God and His holy presence with all our hearts.

God, and God alone is the Source of perfect innocence. He is the Hope that will never fail us.

"And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee." (Psalm 39:7)

Have a blessed weekend.

Pressing on!

 

In His love

Fano Sibisi