A reminder of America’s capacity for moral renewal

W of routine marvels, few developments are more spectacularly incongruous than this: America has seen a swift, dramatic shift in at

that the presidency sets a moral tone for the normal and acceptable in a kind of trickle - lution emerged from society in spite of—or boasted of exploiting women and who stands

This is a reminder that the moral dynamics of a nation are complex, which should come as no surprise to conservatives (at least of the standards can assert themselves largely unaided by political, entertainment and media leaders—except when they serve as cautionary

We are seeing an example of how social Advocates of a cause can push for a long time - cal blink, what seemed incredible becomes A type of inclusion that initially appeared radical and frightening became an obvious Politicians, including President Obama, were

Over a period of weeks, this is the story of seemed for generations the prerogative of powerful men has been fully revealed as a per Rose have been exposed at their moments of maximum cruelty and creepiness— just as their alleged victims (on credible testimony)

Such rapid shifts in social norms should be encouraging to social reformers of various can change the assumptions and direction of - ishment, for example, may be reaching such a

On sexual harassment, our country is now sometimes predicted that moral relativism would render Americans broadly incapable They understand that character—rooted in empathy and respect for the rights and dignity of others—is essential in every realm of life,

And where did this urgent assertion of moral principle come from? Not from Focus on the Family (now under much better management), chose to side with Roy Kayla have been personally attacked by

- standing against injustice and exploitation— sided with patriarchal oppression in the cause

This is how low some religious conservatives have sunk: They have left me sounding like an English professor at

Conservatives need to be clear and hon commitment to the dignity of women and children recently asserting itself in our common life has mainly come from feminism, case, religious conservatives have largely a group of people for whom the dignity of girls and women has become secondary to

We are a nation with vast resources of moral so many religious conservatives have made (C) 2017, WASHINGTON POST WRITERS GROUP