A one-day sampling of the newspaper (Sept 13) yields some great examples of the human perversity for dodging personal responsibility. Here is a smattering:

Defects in 6.5 million Firestone ATX and Wilderness tires, used mainly on Ford Explorers, have led to the deaths of at least 88 people and more than 250 injuries in crashes. Up to now, Firestone officials have said the tires failed because consumers didn’t take care of them properly. Now, after finally admitting there is indeed a defect, Firestone’s executive VP told Congress, "Ford gives us requirements for the tire and we design around those requirements. We have been exploring a theory that the design specifications were too intolerant for small variations in manufacturing." Translation: now it’s Ford’s fault! Of course, the people at Ford are not too happy about the blame game. One Ford spokesman fired back, "We set the specifica-tions but we don’t tell them how to build the tires. It’s up to the manufacturers to build them. It’s amazing that when push comes to shove, Firestone is abdicating its responsibility of being a tire manufacturer."

Another story the same day is titled, "Execution injustice caused by society, Reno says." It appears that a Justice Department study has found wide racial and geographic disparities in the federal death penalty system. Some civil rights advocates are calling for a moratorium on federal executions. Attorney General Janet Reno, who is not exactly the most staunch advocate of the death penalty, defends her depart-ment against any charges of racial bias. But her explanation leaves something to be desired: it’s the fault of injustice in society. No one in his right mind would deny that injustices exist in the world, but can "society" be blamed for the development of cold-blooded murderers, regardless of their race? And is a moratorium against the death penalty the right solution? (cf. Gen. 9:5-6)

Still another news item the same day reported that Netherlands lawmakers have given same-sex couples full marital rights with all the trappings, including adoption and divorce. Minority lawmaker Kees van der Staaij lamented, "We are going in the completely wrong direction. We are ending an age-old tradition anchored in the Bible."

On the same news day, dethroned Indiana University basketball coach Bobby Knight says, "I don’t think I had any chance to abide by the rules." He also said, "Nobody ever explained to me what zero tolerance meant." Hmmm... and vast numbers of the Hoosier faithful continue to exonerate him!

Perhaps it should not surprise anyone that the front page of the same newspaper reported hazing of half the high school students in a nationwide survey. Hazing occurs when students are made to eat disgusting things, abuse alcohol or drugs, or perform humiliating or illegal acts to join athletic teams or youth groups. Examples cited included sucking someone’s toes, skinny dipping, or drinking foul mixtures such as urine, spoiled milk and eggs.

It seems everyone has an excuse to "rationalize away" his sin. Albert Camus, the French philosopher, said, "We are all exceptional cases.... Each man insists on being innocent, even if it means accusing the whole human race, and heaven." We live in a sick world. "The righteous man perishes, and no man takes it to heart" (Isa. 57:1). Of course, the world would be a lot better place if people would own up to their responsibilities. The LORD says of the faithless Israelites, "Then I will go back to my place until they admit their guilt. And they will seek my face; in their misery they will earnestly seek me" (Hosea 5:15). What is wrong with the world? G. K. Chesterton’s classic answer is, "I am."