Forthright Magazine http://www.forthright.net Straight to the Cross COLUMN: From Friend to Friend What You Read Will Influence What You Become. by Phil Sanders "If you can induce a community to doubt the genuineness and authenticity of the Scriptures; to question the reality and obligations of religion; to hesitate, without deciding whether there be any such thing as virtue or vice; whether there exists any such being as God, you have broken down the barriers of moral virtue and hoisted the flood gates of immorality and crime. "I need not say that when a people have once done this, they can no longer exist as a tranquil and happy people. Every bond that holds society together would be ruptured; fraud and treachery would take the place of confidence between man and man; the tribunals would be scenes of bribery and injustice; avarice, perjury, ambition and revenge would walk through the land and render it more like the dwelling of savage beasts than the tranquil abode of civilized and Christianized men." McGuffey's Reader, 1854 "Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You" (Psalm 119:11). ---- How did today's article affect you? Write us! http://www.forthright.net/from_friend_to_friend/what_you_read_will_influence_what_you_become.htm ---- You can help us get the word out. Here's how: http://www.forthright.net/editorial/lend_a_hand.htm