This makes me think of the expansive-seeming, yet deceptive liberal philosophies that appear at first glance to be rational, even-handed and objective. Our current culture clings very tightly to the belief that every man's perception is acceptable, valid and even true if viewed from their relative perspective (e.g. It is true for them, if not for me, so who am I to argue.). This public generosity, however, does not apply to organized religion--especially not to Christianity. Devotion to God or even speaking of God is heavily suppressed in our popular media and public forums, and popular culture openly delights in mocking, criticizing and condemning the most cherished beliefs of the followers of God.

Political causes have become a replacement for religion; a simulacrum of the fervent devotion one should feel towards God. Our idols are not just riches, popularity and entertainment, but scientific philosophies, current affairs, and whatever is the most popular political cause at the time.

This quote by Spencer W. Kimball describes it well:

   "Few men have ever knowingly and deliberately chosen to reject God and his blessings. Rather, we learn from the scriptures that because the exercise of faith has always appeared to be more difficult than relying on things more immediately at hand, carnal man has tended to transfer his trust in God to material things. Therefore, in all ages when men have fallen under the power of Satan and lost the faith, they have put in its place a hope in the “arm of flesh” and in “gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know” (Dan. 5:23)—that is, in idols. This I find to be a dominant theme in the Old Testament. Whatever thing a man sets his heart and his trust in most is his god; and if his god doesn’t also happen to be the true and living God of Israel, that man is laboring in idolatry." June 1976 Ensign

 We must be careful about what things we set our hearts on and put our trust and faith in. It is easy to be swayed by emotional political arguments. Who would not be moved by the distress and sorrow of another? The immediate solutions can appear to be obvious and straightforward, but because of our natural short-sightedness in understanding eternal outcomes, we often cannot see the harm that these solutions and arguments will cause if they are believed and followed. It is difficult to stand for a right that is called wrong every day. So many cannot trust in God's revelations for this very reason. They have turned away from the truth because of the philosophies and emotional arguments of the world, and they cannot put their faith in God's word, or they deny that it is his word. They have put their trust in the "arm of flesh," and are deceived.