Listen, this is human nature, plain and simple. How many people lie on their own wedding day, standing in front of the Preacher, an entire congregation at their backs, and promise to be faithful and work through better or worse? And you think lying about a tractor sale is shocking? Some of us, old timers mostly, were raised by the golden rule and to have morals. I like to be able to look in the mirror and my only shock and dismay is the old dude looking back at me. I am a man, and a real man has a code. Not all of us out there are men anymore in my opinion.
Steppenwolfe, I'd propose that many on their wedding day have an intention but not the awareness of the effort required. They aren't planning on "not fulfilling" their vows . . . . . . . they are operating with a learner's permit.
But that is EXACTLY when adults need to be both involved and opinionated in their ACTIONS. Those adults are the people around the couple. It is our responsibility to set good examples . . not lazy examples.
Like fresh film (or a flash drive) in a camera . . Young people need to be exposed to adult positive behaviors. Then when they grow and "develop their pictures . . . There is something good and worthwhile on that picture.
An Axleism: "it takes an adult to build another adult . . it takes a young person observing to blossum to a good adult".
Every day I hear somebody say "let em figure it out for themselves". Makes perfect sense to me . . but only if they were taught the principles first. "Nobody did me any favors and I came out good enough" is another common excuse.
What's "good enough"? Just get by . . Or excel at your abilities ? And then were you exposed to parents or relatives or other adults who were better than poor examples or did you firget what they contributed?
When this thread started one younger person had a need for some leadership and more than 40 of our fellow tbn members failed to offer that leadership.
So I opened my big mouth and took a stand. Its not fun. It doesn't even mean I'm right . . but I'm not willing to give up on those younger than me. If I or you or any of us who know better are willing to "go along to get along" . . Then we won't go very far.
If I or any of us want a better youth group or a better country or better government . . . crabbing about it doesn't make it happen. We have to motivate and enervate those who know better but stand silent. We may well need better government leaders . . But certainly we need more adult participation in growing our younger generations.
Jmho.