By REV. DR. JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

Spring Break is over, I think. The college set, and increasingly the high school set, head off for one of the beaches to burn and booze. Spring Break, and its deification by MTV, is all about money, alcohol, and sex.

Although the kids may say it's about “taking a break from arduous studies,” in the first and final analysis it's all about money, alcohol, and sex.

No. My daughter, who is not Spring Break material yet—just 15, will not be participating in the annual approved and accepted rebellion among America's youth. I can hear it now, “Just wait until she's a college freshman or a high school senior, Just wait.” Well, rather than just waiting between now and then, I'll be busy working along with my wife to instill a set of values which have no taste for Spring Break.

Spring Break has its own “theology.” Part of it says that the unmonitored beach and booze experience is an unalterable right of those whose glands deserve a lane at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Parents, in the face of this right, close their eyes and cover their ears, hoping not to hear from a traffic policeman or have a call from the obstetrician. “After all, “ parents say, “we did it when we were their age.” After all, I say, those same parents have little room to talk.

Another aspect of Spring Break “theology” holds that when teens get drunk or have sex it's not really sin, but kids having some fun after being pent up all winter. That it's not the kind of sin that God disapproves of, but that he understands since he made them with the sex drive and the bent for pleasure. It's not an orgy of depravity and debauchery, but sweet kids letting off a little steam.

Now, from the commercial side, Spring Break is about money. Several years ago Ft. Lauderdale, the town sung about in “Where the Boys Are,” decided the costs of Spring Break were too great and started un-inviting the kids to come. Well, it didn't take the kids long to get the message that they were unwanted. So, they went somewhere else. Now, the merchants of Ft. Lauderdale have realized how much they miss the money and are jealous of the other cities getting the money; so, the welcome mat is out again. It's all about money.

If your son's or daughter's annual stuff includes a spring break trip and he or she is 20 years old, start saying your prayers because there's not much you will be able to do. They are going! But if your son or daughter is at the stage where they believe what Mama and Daddy says is Truth, then get all the truth in their minds and hearts that you can. Help them to desire to keep the Fifth Commandment to “honor your father and mother.” And when you say “no” to an unholy Spring Break trip, they will respect it and understand it. I promise you!

Start planning now for next year. Spring 2001 will be here before you know it.

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville.

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