A very famous, and perhaps unmatched, Christian book written in the 1600's is titled, Pilgrims Progress. It was written by John Bunyan. No, that is not Paul Bunyan of tree chopping fame. The original edition was written in old English, but there are some modern versions that make reading it easier for such people as us.

In Pilgrim's Progress, we are told that "Christian" and "Hopeful" were on their way to Heaven, The Celestial City. As they were traveling, they were wishing for a more suitable road. Suddenly, just a little ahead of them on their left was a meadow. It was called the "By-Path Meadow" and there was even a series of steps that lead over to it. Christian said to his fellow traveler, Hopeful, "If this meadow lieth along by our wayside, let us go over on to it." This side road looked easier and by all indications paralleled the very road they were on. Christian was convinced that it would lead to the Celestial City and the walk would be far easier. In fact, even as they began their walk on through the "By-Path Meadow", they met another traveler who assured them that indeed this road also led to the Celestial Gate.

As you can well imagine, both Christian and Hopeful slowly and gradually discovered that the "By-path Meadow" was not easier and that it did not lead to the Celestial City. This new side road got rougher and more dangerous. After much hardship and suffering, they finally made it back on the King's Highway. The King's Highway was far more safe and joyous.

The Bible says, "see and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk there in." Yes, there are an increasing number of new paths being made available to people, and to our children, today. These new roads are being promoted as roads which are far easier on the feet. Some highways are advertised as sure roads leading to quick and easy money. Yet other roads are advertised as leading to pleasure and happiness. Some are even so bold as to say that the roads marked immorality, homosexuality, abortion, pornography, and the like, are just as satisfactory as any other road.

Whatever the road, Americans are generally agreed that there are no roads that are the right or best road. Generally, Americans have come to believe that there are no longer any absolutes. However, it is becoming painfully obvious that some roads only bring hardship and suffering. It is becoming more and more observable that some roads are filled with such dangers as poverty, disease, sickness, loneliness, and psychological disorders. What is becoming apparent in American society is that all roads will not get people to the same place, that there are roads which are right and wrong, and that there are roads which are good, better, and best.

Americans and families needs to get back to the old roads. No, not all old roads are not good merely because they are old roads. However, before we step over onto the new roads, let us make sure they indeed are better roads and be willing to get back to the old roads when it is obvious that we have made a mistake. It is generally wise to stick with the old roads because they have been proven over time and by time and experience to be the best and right roads. In fact, some of the roads that others chose impose great penalties on both them, on our society, and on us as Americans.

There is right and wrong. There is the good, the better; and the best. Surely, no one would argue that the roads to racism or nazism are as good as any other road in life. Is there such a thing as corrupt music? Is homosexuality a preference? We, as a society, have every right to say that there is music which debases the mind and rapes us of our morality and decency. One is not a "homophobe" if he or she says that homosexuality is not a preference but a perversion of the natural sexual drives and that God created us male and female. An extramarital affair, promiscuity, infidelity, prostitution, abortion, and adultery are morally wrong and tear apart the fabric of the family and society.

No, it is not true that all roads are as good or as right as any other road. Different roads lead to different locations. As Americans, we have never believed that all roads are to be thought of as equally worthy of our acceptance and support. As adults, we must realize that we can chose paths that may look easier, but will ultimately cause more pain, to us and others. As parents, it is our responsibility to teach our children what are the best and right roads.