The question of true freedom

THE Editor: In a society ravaged by AIDS, a generation being killed by abortion, and at a time when self- respect and self-control seem to be forgotten ideals, we, as young people, must stand up for true freedom. In our world today, certain sectors of society seem to be brainwashing us with many falsehoods  and perversions.

Society constantly scolds us for not being responsible yet  advocates that we abandon true love for selfish infatuation. In this sex-hungry world, is there really a chance at purity? Are we as young people  going to lie back as cowards in the midst of societal influences that seek  to strip us of our dignity? As young people it is becoming harder and harder to sculpt our lives and  mould our futures. The clay being handed to us seems to have little or no  substance. Our world has become so completely sophisticated but we seem to have lost an appreciation of simple blessings.

Has our communication really  improved as families have become little more than names for reference and our next-door neighbour has almost become a virtual stranger. As I’ve heard it said before, such is the paradox of our times. I truly wonder how this  divine comedy looks from the outside. Are we so caught up in our survival race that we forget the true meaning of being human? The womb is no longer a  place of security and the old are seen as burdensome. Humanity seems to be  losing its very humanity, as repetitive as this may seem, to embrace a  culture of death.

As young people, young leaders, we are the ones to carry our world into the  future and clear up the mess we seem to be already in. In our world today  people are too often viewed as objects and true respect has been lost. Selfish desires have replaced selfless love as people seek to disrespect  themselves and others. Love today has become little more than a way of  experiencing sexual pleasure as hurt abounds in so many torn relationships. We have been brainwashed into believing that sex is the beginning and end of  everything. Our will has been reduced to an animalistic state. Even as “sexologists” seek to imprint their perverse ideas onto an instinctual  audience, we have the responsibility to stand up against this culture of  death. Young people can and must show the world that purity and chastity are  indeed possible.

They can try to brainwash us, but they can never undo the  freedom of chastity. Self-control is imprinted into our very nature. This is  what allows us to rise above our instinctual tendencies and grasp our  humanity. I call on the youth to stand up for chastity, for respect, for  life. The responsibility lies is our hands, now we must lead the way.

Matthew Martinez
Diego Martin