SocietyWatch
Immigrants transform society through language
America is different from the nation it used to be; you can tell by its language. Statistics show that 64 million people who live in the United States now speak English as a second language in their homes. That’s 20 percent of the population, double what it was 30 years ago.
Today, 38 million people in the United States mainly speak Spanish, 12 percent of the entire population. In fact, on October 4 two congressional candidates in California held their debate entirely en español in hopes of winning more of the Latino vote. Meanwhile, in schools in California, Texas, Nevada and New Mexico, between 31 and 45 percent of student populations speak Spanish as their first language.
The actual composition of the U.S. has altered due to foreigners who choose not to adopt the nation’s culture, heritage and/or language. In previous generations, immigrants generally worked to assimilate into American society. Migrants learned English and became “Americanized.” Today, millions among the increasing influx of migrants are keeping their languages and cultures. The result is a divided society.
America is not the only country facing this problem. A primary school in Worcestershire, England, recently blocked English-speaking students from attending a school excursion to the zoo. The excursion was for foreign-language-speaking students only. The English-speaking students were required to stay at school and complete their regular classes. This is Britain, the mother of all English-speaking nations. When did countries start discriminating against their own language in favor of foreign-language students?
‘Compromise or else’
America, “land of the free,” is now a place where citizens are being threatened with financial ruin and jail as punishment for religious beliefs.
Donald and Evelyn Knapp, who operate the Hitching Post Wedding Chapel in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, politely declined to perform a marriage ceremony for two homosexuals on October 17 since their belief in the Bible prohibits it. The next day, the city threatened them with 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine for each day they refuse to “celebrate the same-sex wedding.”
Idaho’s house of representatives, senate and governor passed laws in 1993 to define marriage as between a man and a woman. In 2006, the legislature and Idaho voters passed a similar measure. But the law was struck down by the federal district court, the appeals court and the Supreme Court, which declined to hear the state’s case.
The Knapps’ federal lawsuit says the city is coercing Christian ministers “in violation of their religious beliefs, their ordination vows and their consciences.” The Knapps have since stated they will only perform marriage ceremonies between “one biological male and biological female.”
The city has not yet cited the Knapps, as the Alliance Defending Freedom non-profit has filed suit in federal court on their behalf.
The Knapps’ chapel is an incorporated business for profit. Homosexual supporters say this is one reason why the government has the jurisdiction to infringe on their constitutionally protected freedom of religion and either force them to perform same-sex unions or jail them and fine them into bankruptcy.
Choosing not to marry
A September 24 Pew Research study revealed that one in five Americans over the age of 25 are now choosing to remain unmarried. In 1960, only 9 percent of Americans in the same age bracket were unmarried.
But for most of these 42 million Americans, abandoning marriage does not mean abandoning sex. In fact, a 2012 study found that 24 percent of never-married young adults ages 25 to 34 are living with a partner.
Even among those who are marrying, many are pushing it off. The study found that the average age for a first marriage had risen significantly. In 1960, the average age was 20 for women and 23 for men; today, it’s 27 for women and 29 for men.
One factor contributing to this trend is a belief that marriage and family are not priorities. Fifty percent of those polled said society is just as well off if people have priorities other than getting married and starting a family. This belief has a two-thirds majority among those ages 18 to 29.
To many, marriage is becoming obsolete. A 2010 Pew study found that nearly 40 percent of Americans viewed the institution as outdated. Many feel cohabitation is an acceptable alternative. The same study showed that a minority of Americans (43 percent) believed cohabitation was harmful to society; an equal minority believed that unmarried couples raising children was detrimental to society.
Is marriage obsolete? The late Herbert W. Armstrong wrote on the subject in 1968, when this trend was far less advanced. He recognized its danger and its trajectory. To understand why this institution is under attack—and whether it matters—request a free copy of Why Marriage—Soon Obsolete?
