"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter" {Isaiah 5:20}. This problem was very real during the latter days of God's people in the Old Testament. The prophets were prophesying falsely. "An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?" {Jeremiah 5:30,31} Those whom God had given Israel to lead her in the right ways were leading her away from Him.

Sadly, in our own day, this problem plagues this nation and God's people.

• Over the past few years, we have witnessed an increase in the number of young people who take the lives of their fellow students. Only a few weeks ago, a six-year-old boy shot to death a first-grade girl who was his classmate.
• Employees who are angry with their employers turn on them and take their lives, along with the lives of other innocent people.
• Gangs flex their muscles in the streets "defending" turf, which does not even belong to them, and killing members of other gangs.
• The Internet is filled with all types of pornography and sexual material contrived in men's degraded minds.
• TV shows the "positive side" of the homosexual lifestyle by trying to make it appear normal. Recently, I watched on prime time television a news show concerning homosexuality. I learned that they are planning to show, for the first time during prime-time viewing, two men kissing during a moment of passion!

What is happening to us? Every election year, and this one is no exception, the candidates discuss the need for strong family values. At the same time, states are voting on whether to accept gay marriages and/or to permit gays and lesbians to adopt children! Immorality is enjoying a field day in our society. Today, the lines of morality clearly depicted in the Bible are being taken away. How? One of the ways is the discussion of our rights. While I agree that people are free to make choices in their own lives, this does mot mean they can choose to make moral what God says is immoral.

In our society, human life has no real value. How can we claim to value human life when we continue, by means of abortion (while calling it choice), to kill millions of unborn babies every year. What about mercy killing? Taking the lives of those who are suffering and in pain, and calling it death with dignity. If you disagree with a fellow student or coworker, do you have the right to express your displeasure -- even if it leads to murder. Don't misunderstand; I'm not suggesting that our society approves taking another's life, but when we emphasize rights, this is where it can lead. Freedom is the word of the hour -- freedom to express ourselves in the ways our minds lead us. No one has the right to deny me my freedom.

Unfortunately, we've forgotten some powerful history lessons. "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" {Judges 21:25}. What happens when we have no standard to live by? "Because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression" {Hebrews 4:15}. If we erase the lines of right and wrong, man can go as far as his mind will take him. From what I see, he's going down a path that is leading him away from God!