Oh, how things have changed!

Editor: Oh, how things have changed! Indeed, times and seasons have changed. Yesterday is but history. Culture has changed. Oh, how things have changed!

Long ago, Sunday schools and church were a norm on Sunday morning, or Saturday for those who worship on a Saturday. Today, the interest in these things has gone. Fighting with the hands and fist was the norm long ago; now it is guns and weapons. Oh, how things have changed!

Neighbours used to share what they have and care for one another. It is not so now. We have become selfish and heartless. Oh, how things have changed! Respect and manners were a norm; not now. Indeed, times have changed.

Prayers were a must by every child and radio stations respected Sundays and so, only gospel songs and religious programmes were broadcast on Sundays. Today it is not so. The fear of God and love for good gospel music have been replaced by things sexual and smutty. Oh, how things have changed!

Long ago it was a shame for a woman to cut her hair and wear pants; now it is the norm even amongst Christians. It is so widespread that even female preachers are preaching in pants and cutting their hair. Today, unlike days gone by, men wear long hair and plait them. Men wear earrings. Oh, how things have changed! Men even go to church with plaited hair and earrings. What a shame. Today, women resemble and dress like men and men do the same. Oh, how things have changed!

Marriage was held in high esteem and love was the foundation of most marriages, but today the divorce rate is high and marriage is no longer sacred and lasting. Oh, how times have changed! We have moved away mainly from gifts at weddings to monetary contributions. Indeed, things have changed!

Now, everyone who is dead goes to a funeral home, unlike days gone by, where only the privileged few could have done so. Letters by mail are slowly dying out and replaced by emails and Whatsapp. Money is now transferred from accounts to accounts and also by Moneygram and Western Union, thus making it easier to get the money at a faster rate. Indeed, things have changed.

Funerals today have become a feast and a party, unlike days gone by. It has become the norm that after the burial, food is provided for those who attend. Also, it is now the culture that music bands play at funerals where there is dancing and wining. It has become now in some areas a party, rather than a time of reflection and mourning, thus replacing the old days when people sang without the musical accompaniment and sang lustily from the heart.

Indeed, times and seasons have changed. This is modern days. The generation today has no experience of what it was in days gone by. For indeed, things and times have changed and so have people.

Kennard King