It has been said that darkness is the absence of light, and the power of these opposites on our moral choices has been the subject of much discussion.  Recent research  suggests that darkness creates a psychological feeling of secrecy that may lead to amoral behavior.  Whether it is closing the eyes during a game of hide and seek or wearing a pair of sunglasses,  the self-induced darkness can reduce our sense of morality.

Apparently the seclusion of darkness provides an incognito mentality that is expressed as, catch me if you can.  The more popular version is, what happens in Vegas stays in  Vegas.

This reminds me an of old Latin phrase: In absentia luci, tenebrae vinciunt.  Which means:  In the absence of light, darkness prevails.  I believe there is a connection between this statement and the Broken Window Theory.

This theory helps to explain some self-perpetuating problems.  Any part of  society that appears to be void of law and order can become  a  fertile seedbed in which the weeds of lawlessness grows.  As an example, a vacant building  that has a few broken windows that are not replaced will soon become a vacant building with many broken windows.  To keep this from happening, the small problems need to be addressed before they become big problems.

To accomplish this, we may benefit from the words of Paul who challenged people to cast off the darkness and to put on the armor of light (Romans 13).

Let me give you a thought to keep you thinking:  Could it be that darkness is not the absence of light, but it’s the absence of you?