Character Versus Computers
One of the members of the Huntley-Brinkley team of news commentators reported that the Internal Revenue Service was processing everyone's income tax return with computers. He then facetiously commented that computers had now not only taken the suspense out of election returns but had also taken the possibility of suspense out of income tax returns. The tax-paying citizen has no chance of cheating the government with the machine checking him so he will not attempt to declare less income than he received. Thus the suspense of wondering if he will get by with his crookedness is eliminated. This marvelous machine has been visualized as relieving the department of the need to depend on such things as principles of righteousness. Such things as honesty, justice, self-respect, integrity, etc., are rendered obsolete by this machine. If this metallic deity could perform what it devotees claim for it, then indeed would honesty be the best policy. However, due to the limitations which exist with matter, honesty will continue to be, not a matter of policy, but a fundamental principle, essential not only to righteousness but to human society in general.
Man And Machines Or Machines And Man
Machines were made by man for man, not man made by machines for machines. Man is endowed with intelligence, a moral sense and the ability of self-determination. It is an extreme of absurdity for man to maneuver himself, a being of intelligence, moral sense, and self-determination into a position of subordination to machines. Man is the maker of machines but to a marked degree has lost his control over machines. He has allowed the order to be reversed and has become the subject not the ruler. The inordinate infatuation for machines has deified machines and "civilization" finds itself in gross idolatry. This idolatry is more unreasonable than the idolatry of the ancients. For the achievements of twentieth century man, although tarnished by crude and excessive advertising (boasting), are none the less real. These very real advancements in technology. etc., are evidence of intellectual progress from the state of primitive society, yet an idolatry as unreasonable and gross as theirs is observable in our society along with all our vaunted technological triumphs. The present prevalence of idolatry, with all its vicious attendants, is evidence of a moral decline at least as great as the intellectual advance.
The utter folly of idolatry was graphically set forth by about twenty-five hundred years ago by the prophet, Isaiah. He exposed the absurdity of idolatry by describing the process by which the idol came to be. Study carefully Isa. 44:6-20. The first actor pictured is the smith sharpening his tool to be used in carving the idol from wood. Next the carpenter moves into the picture to measure and mark out the outline of the idol and shape it "after the figure of a man". The prophet also calls attention to man's part in growing the tree from which the idol is carved. Various other uses that man makes of the substance from which he makes his god are mentioned - man burns the wood to warm himself and cook his food, "and the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image; he falleth down unto it and worshippeth, and prayeth unto it, and saith deliver me; for thou art my god" (Isa. 44:17).
Now as then, "none calleth to mind, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked the bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree: He feedeth on ashes; a deceived heart hath turned him aside; and he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, is there not a lie in my right hand?" (Isa. 44:19, 20).
Righteousness Exalteth A Nation
Fear motivated conformity is the only alternative to good social behaviour stemming from respect for principles of righteousness. This conformity through fear can be maintained only so long as the ruling class has sufficient force to frighten the masses into conformity. The super-structure of society cannot stand for long without the fundamental principles of righteousness as its foundation.
"Righteousness exalteth a nation but sin is a reproach to any people". The nation which desires true exaltation will encourage righteousness. All people who are sympathetic to righteousness need to realize that righteousness does not flourish in an atmosphere polluted with atheistic teaching. The atmosphere from which Bible reading and prayer has been removed is not conducive to development of righteousness.
Computers can never serve in the stead of a good conscience, nor can they successfully cope with the tactics devised and used by men whose consciences are seared as with a hot iron.