Materialism

"Financial Decadence" is what prompted Brother Kenneth M. Hoagland, principal of Kellenberg Memorial High School in Long Island, NY, to write a 2000-word letter to parents to inform them that their child's prom is canceled.

Not the sex, although it is an acknowledged problem.

Not the drinking, although, that too is acknowledged as a problem.

It's parent's out of control spending and kids having too much money!

It's the flaunting of money!

"It is not primarily the sex/booze/drugs that surround this event, as problematic as they might be; it is rather the flaunting of affluence, assuming exaggerated expenses, a pursuit of vanity for vanity's sake - in a word, financial decadence," Hoagland said, fed up with what he called the "bacchanalian aspects."

I say way to go!

Materialism is sin. Materialism is a sin that is ignored by many Christians.

It is not wrong to have nice things. It is wrong to flaunt your nice things, and it is wrong to be a poor steward of what God has provided. Money is not the root of all evil, the lust of money is.

Hoagland, in the letter, states 18 different points as to the reason why the school will not sponsor the senior prom. While the sex, drugs and alcohol problems are mentioned, it appears that the main issue is with the parents who in their affluence rent "prom houses" in the Hampton's so kids can party hardy all night "safely". There is competition between students to have the most expensive gowns and throw the most elaborate pre-prom cocktail parties. The school in no way condones this type of behavior, especially from professing Christians! Students enrolling at Kellenberg are to be professing Christians according to the general policies listed here.

Principal Hoagland is making a stand and his school refuses to sponsor an activity that has clearly deteriorated morally and stands as a contradiction to the Christian values the school aims to instill in lives of it's students.

"We have come to the conclusion that it (the prom) has a life of its own which is no longer commensurate with the goals of Christian education."

I find this materialism to be of major concern in private schools, after all, it is usually the financially privileged who are able to enroll in such schools. Student's at the Christian school where Katie's kids attend wear the latest fashions, within dress code guidelines of course, carry the biggest and most expensive backpacks, wear the most expensive shoes, drive into school in the Lexus and/or the SUV decked out with all the "necessities" for entertainment now available in cars. Most of the students have cell phones and the latest in technological gadgets.

Katie's kids, while they do not go without needs, do not have the biggest, newest, and baddest "stuff". This becomes difficult at times because they often want what the other kids have, and that is natural, don't we all? It's a teaching point for sure, not to covet, money isn't everything, but what is the teaching point for the person who "has it all"?

I wonder sometimes how Christian schools actually teach "sacrificial giving" when student's are there because they can pay to be. It is not required that a student be a Christian to attend this Christian school, although obviously, Christian values are to be taught. It is hard not to wonder sometimes if Christian values at Christian schools are "taught" and not practiced.

I am impressed that principal Hoagland and Kellenberg Memorial High School have decided not to sponsor and/or participate in this year's senior prom. As Hoagland says in the letter:

"Some may say: it is my money; I can do what I want with it. Well, yes, you can, but not without moral repercussions."

Wealth is a wonderful thing. It is sharing in the fruits of God's creation. Becoming a millionaire can be a spiritually enriching experience, provided you answer two questions correctly: how did you get it, and what are you doing with it? Was it gotten at the expense of God, family, integrity, by shady deals, corporate 'conspiracy', taking unfair advantage? And what are you doing with it (and what has it done to you and your family)?"

What is prom supposed to be anyway? A gathering? A dance? A wealth showcase?