This is not a word you’ll find in Webster’s but the obvious “root” is recognizable and probably well understood. I used this phrase in a recent article I wrote for the “As a Matter of Faith” series in which I related this philosophy of mine as a modern day application of the “Shield of Faith” found in Ephesians. But Insulating is only the first posture we must apply to ultimately making a difference for the better in this World. Insulationism allows us protect ourselves while we re-construct our home - The House of God! Therefore without further unnecessary explanation of the actual word, let me now present to you my theory and . . . Tell you what I Think!
When we step outside our door every morning to go to work, or head out on errands, or take the family out to dinner, or venture anywhere beyond our castle walls; you are quite literally stepping into a battlefield! Normal life’s activities become an arena of conflict which will attempt to persuade the integrity of your vision, your speech, your actions and even the sanctity of your soul, away from good sound Christian values and good common sense. If you can’t see it, I dare say: you must be blind or so obliviously complacent to the realities of modern day cultures.
And it may be that we are not even safe behind the ramparts of our own fortress as the weakness in our defense systems are found by the enemy via our television, radios, and computers which can be the vector rays on which dangerous concepts and values glide in to and infiltrate our life.
Our options as Christians are limited in combating the new war, unless we dig into a posture of living like hermits, which obviously is impossible and of course, not what God wants us to do. Isolation is not the answer. But we can stave off the attacks and protect ourselves considerably by insulating ourselves against the wrong values.
We as mature adults are probably much better prepared to maneuver our way through the obstacles that threaten our values but what about our children? They are like clay, ready to be molded by the secular factions of the world.
Even the school systems are in cahoots with secular concepts of social engineering such as modern day approaches to sex education, alternative lifestyles, and same sex marriages, promoting the use of condoms rather than programs which teach abstinence. All of these which devalue the constitution of marriage, the family, and organized Faith based values. Global warming is not looked at as a theory under evaluation but rather a precise science of omens of which children are frightened of. Christian values and concepts are denied access at school but at the same time, the tolerance of other religions is promoted.
And apart from the schools, the continued sexulization of our culture is promoted through the values found on the internet, and the “FaceBook and MySpace’ phenomena, and the television. The glorification of sexual gratification and promiscuity is evident in many aspects of our culture as well as disguised innuendos aimed at the breakdown of monogamous relationships. Text messaging is destroying the concept of meaningful socialization skills and conversation which is substantial and sincere.
So how can we weatherize and insulate ourselves and our children against the compliance or submission to these dangerous values? It’s not easy but here are some common sense steps:
1. Limit and Monitor the Technology in your Life.
The internet can be a useful tool but if we find ourselves mindlessly wandering around the web, we can damage our concept of managing our objectives and time and there is always the danger of being led into immoral directions or thoughts.
Although some careers may necessitate the use of personal blogs, as far as I’m concerned, FaceBook and MySpace are nothing more than self constructed monuments to ourselves, or pedestals of importance for us to perch upon. They really don’t enhance the personal relationship which you have with relatives or close friends. Why don’t you pick up the phone and call them, or write a letter to stay close, or even Email. If you fall into that trap, so will your children!
Stay away from the “Text” trap. You can’t find a more meaningful way to communicate? Texting is impersonal, short and lacking in sincerity, content, and complete thought and comprehension. In business it may be a way to leave important messages in the absence of other communication, or the need for good manners or privacy in public places, but when it becomes the primary form of communication you have lost some clear objectives for your life.
Monitor how much time and what you are watching on Television or DVD. Be aware that many of the shows on the network now are mostly mindless garbage. Many of these venues are designed to alter your view points on important social structure or values without you being totally aware that it is happening. Many commercials are sexually allied and some are close to being “R” rated in content and others are close to being soft porn. And what kind of movies do you indulge in? Here’s a good test; if you were home watching TV or a movie, and your Priest or Pastor stopped by, would you invite him in to join you in what you were viewing? Mmmm . . . ? Not too mention that someone else is looking over your shoulder!
2. Structure your Life’s activities, goals, and Habits around strong Christian Values.
Hey, this is really not too hard to figure out. Let me give just a few examples of good Insulating which might include: don’t hang out at the bars drinking all night. Don’t watch “X” and “R” rated movies. Watch your language in regards to crudeness, rudeness, and profanity. Don’t be excessive with personal passions or obsessions and refrain from mindlessly cruising the net. Find wholesome and family oriented things to do with your spouse and family. Do not succumb to worldly values or materialistic purposes nor lust or greed for power, money, or sexual appetites. Be very aware of whom you are befriending or associating with; have a healthy skepticism of basic human nature and guard yourself against wrong influences. Remain steadfast in keeping Church and God, foremost in your life. I’m sure you could think of countless examples of areas in which your life can use some “sprucing up.”
3. Insulate your Children with an Anti-Secular Anecdote.
Obviously your children will most likely be attending public schools and you can’t keep them away from the world but you can wrap them in a blanket of protection.
Be interested as to what is in the curriculum at your child’s school especially in health classes, science, civics and history. These are the areas of study which can be used by Secular Society to mold or socially engineer your children in directions away from moral humanitarian Christian understandings.
Talk with your children regarding their activities at school and discuss with them about what they are learning. Many parents are not aware of the actual content of school programs. The power of insulating them comes from your counter response in offering your children the opposing view points and arguments to the teachings which you may feel are leading your children in the wrong directions or values. And then model these viewpoints to them in real life using non-secular examples and resources.
Be very aware of their friendships in and outside of the school. You can sometimes steer your children in directions away from the obvious bad situations. As parents, model the standards, behavior, traits and habits at home yourself, to set the example of what they should behave like and believe in; this is the best anecdote to counter act the possible bad ideas, traits, and habits your kids may pick up which may be modeled by some of their peers.
Be concerned and structure their understanding and use of modern day technologies. Cultivate their social skills with meaningful approaches and resources. What ever happen to the Dictionary or the Encyclopedias for methods of gathering information?
Model the value of personal communications and limit the use of the informal, cold, and often surreptitious approach to socialization, via texting, instant messaging, chat rooms, etc. Show your children the alternatives. Remember, there was in fact intelligent life on this planet before the Internet and the Blackberry!
4. Most Important – The Logical Progression for Change affects the Future of the Culture!
Quite simple really! If you pray, your children will learn to pray, if you talk with a foul mouth, most likely your children will as well. You should obviously see this logic?
Automatically, the sheer act of Insulating yourself from Un-Christian Concepts and Principles – Does imply that you will make some changes in your Life – Necessary Changes for the Better – Changes which in turn will be modeled by your Children – And they in turn will Teach and Model for their Children
Insulationism is in fact an Act of Protection, but is also the Method for Cultural Reform!
The related post “Insulate but do not Isolate” in As a Matter of Faith
© Phillip E.Sorant ******* 2010
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