Crime is Down?

In 1968, Dr Francis A Schaeffer told an audience at Wheaton College in Illinois that we are "the first generation in history to do away with crime."  Northern Ireland's Chief Constable of police, Matt Baggot, seems to be the modern exponent of this philosophy.  As then, so now in 2012.  Crimes have been reduced to psychological irregularities.  This does not mean that there is no crime on our streets, but that we no longer call it crime.  Everything is explained in psychological terms. 

So to say that crime in Northern Ireland is down may well be true; but it may also have other explanations.  Either people are no longer reporting crime because they see no point in it, therefore the reported crime rate is down.  Or, even when it is reported to the police, it is re-categorised as something psychological, and it is not called crime.  Very clever.  That makes the police look very good and professional and up to the job.  It makes for good reading when the Chief Constable publishes his annual report.  But it is really deceptive. 

Crimes committed by republicans (for example, the terrorist spectacle in Londonderry during 'Easter' when threats were made against police officers) are not deemed to be crimes anymore.  The parading in full paramilitary terrorist uniform is no longer a crime in today's morally corrupt climate.  Displays of terrorist weaponry and prowess is not deemed to be criminal.  Terrorist crimes committed by republicans cannot (or perhaps, will not) be solved by the HET, but loyalist crimes can (and I am grateful for that).  Similarly, an international organisation called the Roman Catholic Church can be guilty of heinous sex abuse crimes against innocent children, yet it does not appear that that organisation will be held liable under the law.  Shouldn't such wicked and destructive organisations be closed down by the state? 

That raises another interesting question: Why is the Commissioner for Children and Young People not shouting from the roof-tops about this systemic clerical child sex abuse and the ongoing cover-up by the bosses in that organisation, and calling for it to be shut down and forever banned?  Why her silence?  Is clerical child sex abuse not a crime in her book?

It appears to the intelligent person that our society now, and without a doubt, "calls good evil, and evil good" (Isa.5:20).  And do you know what?  A divine "Woe" is pronounced on all those who do that and turn the biblical order on its head.  Paul says that "the wrath of God has been revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness," (Rom.1:18).  In the light of Scripture, it is not difficult to see and understand what a nation under God's wrath looks like and how it operates.  

How easy it is for anyone to say 'crime is down' when society has done all it can to decriminalise even the most heinous of unacceptable activities and behaviours.  But I suppose it all boils down to who it is that commits them!