Bumper stickers range from the amusing to the offensive, from the informative to the persuasive. A mischievous cartoon character relieving himself on the subject of his choice can be seen on car windows up and down the street, and decals proudly displaying stick figures of family members, dog included, are becoming trendier.
Maybe your parents’ minivan gives evidence that they are proud of you receiving your “student of the month” award. Not to be outdone, jealous parents display stickers that state that their kid can beat up your honor student.
Perhaps your car’s rear end has donned a 3×10 piece of vinyl with the words, “The more people I meet, the more I like my dog,” or “All I want is less to do, more time to do it, and higher pay for not getting it done.”
Some bumper stickers are downright offensive or controversial. There are several touchy subjects that are covered on bumper stickers, clearly revealing the opinion of the one driving. Some of these subjects include abortion, the war, the president, political affiliations, religion and homosexuality.
Why are some willing to put their opinions on display about topics that can be so provocative? Possibly a bumper sticker gives a person the ability to say in a few words on a small space what he or she might not ever say in his or her own words.
For example, one could try to have an opinion on abortion in a ten-page synopsis, providing medical facts and statements about morality, or the person could simply stick a piece of vinyl on a bumper that says, “Abortion stops a beating heart.”
Some who still hold to traditional values may feel the only way for their voice to be heard is to let a bumper sticker speak loud and clear. But being the only one holding to traditional values can be frightening. It is much easier to follow the crowd and the downward moral slope of our culture, with its overindulgence in sex and entertainment, than it is to stand alone for your beliefs in spite of the mockery that ensues.
We watch the boundary lines between right and wrong stretch further and further in our living rooms each week, as shows like “Desperate Housewives” air another disgusting episode. What offended our grandparents years ago entertains us today.
Truth is not relative, does not change with circumstances and cannot be made to conform to our particular situation or beliefs. Standards were put in place long before we ever took our first breath. The decline of morality is not just a natural order of things, nor is it “just the way things are.” If it were, no one would have a choice about how to live. It would be dictated by the condition of the society in which we find ourselves.
While I may be partially a product of my environment, ultimately I choose how I will live my life.
Perhaps you don’t like decals of any kind on your car since any more added weight to your already falling off bumper may likely warrant a call to “Pimp My Ride.” Or you could be one of the daring souls who exhibit controversial messages. If you are one of those who still hold to traditional values, then please listen to the fading voice of morality and respond with a bold stand for truth.
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