I DON'T KNOW AND I DON'T CARE
(Amos 5:24)

Someone asked, "What are the two greatest problems in America today?" One average citizen answered, "I don't know and I don't care."

"That's right!" the questioner replied. "It's ignorance and apathy."

As patriotic Americans, do we know and do we care? A wise man said, "Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in discovering truth and implementing justice?"

"Let justice roll like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream" (Amos 5:24).

I. IGNORANT PEOPLE CAN'T REMAIN FREE!

Solomon said, "Wise men store up knowledge . . ." (Prov. 10:14).

Hosea said, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge . . ." (Hos. 4:6).

Christ said, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).

Free persons make up their own minds, on the basis of information. This is especially true for those of us who live in a democracy. A congressional aide shared the story of handling calls and correspondence related to a major bill in Congress. Over 90 percent of those contacting that office had urged a specific course of action. Yet, that representative was going to disregard those calls and letters. Why? Because the vast majority of people contacting that representative had their facts wrong. They knew nothing about the legislation. They were expressing emotion and responding to propaganda.

In fact, propaganda is so prevalent that we must be alert and critical. Theodore Seuss Geisel, the celebrated author of Dr. Seuss' children's books gave a commencement address some years back at a college in Illinois which illustrates this principle. Geisel began his speech in this fashion:

It seems behooven upon me to bring forth great words of wisdom to this graduating class as it leaves these cloistered halls to enter the outside world . . . My wisdom is in rather short supply, and I have managed to condense everything know into an epic poem consisting of fourteen lines." Then he proceeded to recite his epic poem entitled, "My Uncle Terwilliger on the Art of Eating Popovers."

My uncle ordered popovers
From the restaurant's bill of fare
And when they were served, he regarded them
With a penetrating stare. ..

Then he spoke great words of wisdom
And he sat them on the chair.
"To eat these things," said, my uncle,
You must exercise great care.

You may swallow down what's solid..
But. . . you must spit out the air!
And, as you partake of the world's bill of fare,
That's darned good advice to follow

Do a lot of spitting out of the hot air,
And be careful what you swallow.

It's the same with wise citizens. How much do you really know about America. Do you know what is happening in the lives of American families?

On average, every day, 2,795 teenagers get pregnant.
67 babies die before one month of life.
105 babies die before their first birthday.
Every day, 27 babies die from poverty;
10 die from gun shots;
30 children are wounded with guns;
6 teenagers commit suicide;
211 children are arrested for drug abuse;
437 children are arrested for drinking or drunk driving;
1,512 teenagers drop out of school;
1,849 children are abused or neglected;
3,288 children run away from home;
1,629 children are in adult jails;
2,989 children see their parents divorce;
and 34,285 people lose their jobs.

Much of this is due to ignorance and could be prevented with proper information and education. We need to know. Ignorant people can't remain free!

II. THEN, APATHETIC PEOPLE CAN'T REMAIN FREE!

"Woe to you who are complacaent in Zion" (Amos 6:1)

Solomon said, "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it" (Prov. 3:27).

James said, "But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves" (James 1:22).

America needs concerned people. There are many special interest groups which crusade for one issue, but few which champion a broad array of issues and causes which affect our society. A recent experience illustrates the dire need for concern:

A group of citizens went to the office of a key state legislator to urge him to vote against a bill to legalize gambling in that state. Several of them mentioned the impact on the economy individuals, as reasons for their opposition. The legislator's response was chilling. "We had hearings on that subject several weeks ago. Now, if you're concerned about poor people, I need your help in dealing with the problems of children in poverty."

We must see the deeper causes and the broader implication of our causes. We must take the long view rather than the immediate gratification. In 1900, Theodore Roosevelt said, "This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in." Today we must say, "This world will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in."

A story is told about a group of vacationers who charted a yacht. A day into the journey, it sprang a leak and began to take on water. The captain decided that the passengers would need to help bail water to keep the ship afloat.

While passing out buckets, he came across one tourist who was lying on his bunk. The water had not yet reached his cabin. "Hey, fellow!" the captain said, "How about giving us a hand?"

The man peered over the side of his bunk at the dry floor and replied, "Why should I?" I don't have any water under my bunk!"

A lot of us are like that guy. We don't help others because their problem is not affecting us. "After all," we reason, "it's really their problem, not mine. Why stick my neck out?"

Unfortunately, this sense of apathy is evident in our country. So we wait until it's too late.

One man said, "A few years ago we realized that important things were not getting done around the church and in the community. We could see what needed to be done, but no one was doing it."

We find ourselves concerned about something that is happening or something that isn't happening. We realize that action is called for! We know that someone has to start caring and doing? But, like Moses at the burning bush, we want that someone to be "someone else."

If we want to change society, to transform it for Christ, we must truly live as free persons. We must act in an informed manner, out of a depth of concern. Just one person can make a difference. And you can be that person. We are more important than we think we are. Just one vote:

—in 1645 gave Oliver Cromwell control of England.
—in 1776 gave America the English language instead of German.
—in 1845 brought Texas into the Union.
—in 1868 saved President Andrew Johnson from impeachment.
—in 1875 changed France from a monarchy into a republic.
—in 1876 gave Rutherford B. Hayes the United States presidency. —in 1923 gave Adolph Hitler control of the Nazi Party.
—in 1941 saved the Selective Service System twelve weeks before Pearl Harbor.

Yes, America has many problems and two of the greatest are ignorance and apathy. Solomon said, "Righteousness exalts a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people" (Prov. 14:34).

Theodore Roosevelt warned, "The things that will destroy America are: prosperity-at-any-price; safety-first instead of duty-first; the love of soft living; and the get-rich-quick theory of life."

He could be describing us today! To a great extent, our objectives have become success, status and security. These are followed closely by self-indulgence, pleasure and comfort.

A Democracy demands individuals who know and individuals who care. James Oppenheim in his classic poem said it well when he wrote:

They set the slave free, striking off his chains. . .
But, he was as much a slave as ever...
His slavery was not in his chains,
But in himself...
They can only set free men free. .
And there is no need of that:
Free men set themselves free. '

In short, we must know, and we must care! One citizen said, "I asked, ‘Why doesn't somebody do something?' Then I realized I was somebody." As Christians, it's our duty to be informed and active!

Only in this way can "Everyman . . . sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree and no one will make him afraid" (Micah 4:4).

***
(WC 1427)

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