SocietyWatch
Latin Americans dissatisfied with democracy
Latin Americans are growing dissatisfied with democracy. Data published by the polling service Latinobarómetro shows that only 48 percent of Latin Americans favor democracy over authoritarianism, and 28 percent say democracy is not necessarily preferable to authoritarianism. This is the highest percentage skeptical of democracy since 1995, when Latinobarómetro began tracking the trend.
The Bible prophesies that 10 kings (or dictators) will partner with a false church and lend it their political and military power. The late Herbert W. Armstrong explained in his classic booklet Who or What Is the Prophetic Beast? that these 10 kings are European leaders who will reign over a resurrected Holy Roman Empire in the days before Christ’s return.
The Holy Roman Empire colonized Latin America in the 16th century. Based upon this fact and others, Mr. Armstrong prophesied for decades that Europe would develop a powerful alliance with South America. The nations of Latin America will turn their back on American-style democracy and come under the influence of authoritarian European leaders.
Women are majority of U.S. college-educated workforce
This year, the portion of college-educated women in the workforce is projected to exceed 50 percent for the first time in American history, according to an August 20 report by the Wall Street Journal.
More women than men are now receiving bachelors’ degrees. Over the past 20 years, 57 percent of bachelors’ recipients have been women. Women also attend and graduate from college in greater numbers than men. Women’s wages and labor participation rates are also rising, largely thanks to greater emphasis on employing women.
The foundation of a strong nation is strong families. There is an undeniable link between women prioritizing careers over family and the disintegration of the family that is manifesting itself in many forms in America today, including lower birthrates, fewer marriages, and stable two-parent homes.
The Bible describes the destruction of the family structure as a major cause of cultural, economic and national security dangers. Isaiah 3:11-12 state, “Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him. As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.”
Losing the war on drugs
Americans are addicted to drugs. A report published on August 20 by Rand Corp. shows that in 2016, American citizens spent more than $150 billion on illegal drugs, including heroin, cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamines. If America’s illegal drug industry were a publicly traded company, it would be one of the top 40 companies in the world.
Rising levels of drug abuse are causing a surge in drug deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdose deaths have increased from 17,415 in 2000 to 70,237 in 2017. That means drug overdoses have become the leading cause of death of Americans under age 50.
Bible prophecy foretold this fatal pursuit of pleasure thousands of years ago. 2 Timothy 3 prophesies that “in the last days,” this era prior to the return of Jesus Christ, “men shall be … lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (verses 1-4). This slavery to pleasure is exactly what American society is like today.
Why are American farmers killing themselves?
Suicide is rising in the United States, especially among farmers. According to a study published on September 6 by the American Medical Association’s jama Network Open medical journal, suicide rates among people in rural counties were 25 percent higher than those in metropolitan areas. Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that farmers, ranchers and agricultural managers have some of the highest suicide rates in the nation: 32.2 suicides per 100,000 workers in 2015, (the most recent year for which data is available).
That means suicide rates among farmers at that time were double the national average. Subsequent weather disasters and trade war have made farmers’ financial situation, and likely the suicide rate, even worse.
A Bible prophecy paints a frightful picture of famine and crop failures in end-time Israel, which includes the United States. “Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished” (Joel 1:11). Prophecies in Deuteronomy 28, Isaiah 23, Ezekiel 5 and Amos 4 indicate that as worrying as the American farmers’ situation is now, worse weather disasters and economic warfare lie ahead.
