"Moral Absolutism is the ethical belief that there are absolute standards against which moral questions can be judged, and that certain actions are right or wrong, regardless of the context of the act."
http://www.philosophybasics.com/branch_moral_absolutism.html
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I like the picture above. It's a start as a good example of our society's discarding of the wonderful lessons those of us of a certain age learned as children. Of course, they were based in the Judeo/Christian basics: Do not murder. Do not steal. Don't go after your neighbor's wife/husband. Do not lie. As we grew as a nation, we added to those laws to include other rights and wrongs: Women and minorities can vote. Women can own property. We cannot exploit children for labor. We had moral absolutes!
Let me give you an example from my childhood. When I was around 7 or so, my father and I went to the neighborhood pharmacy. Now back then, a pharmacy was really a small store of this and that, including penny candy and such. We finished our business, returned home, and I pulled out this little box of rock candy that I had pilfered from the store. I'm sure I was taught not to steal. But in my child-mind, I really didn't understand the full concept of that rule. Well, my dad saw what I had and asked me where I got it. I hung my head (first clue) and I averted my eyes (second clue) and sheepishly owned up to taking it from the pharmacy. My dad was livid! He gave me a stern lecture on stealing. At that point, the idea of "stealing" became very clear. He took me and the box of rock candy back to the pharmacy. He marched me to the pharmacist (who owned the store) and made me return it and apologize. I did what he told me to do, with the same head hanging as before. The pharmacist thanked me for my honesty. My dad paid for the box. I thought it was over. Oh no, it wasn't over. My father positioned me at the door. As I opened the door for everyone who entered, I had to apologize for stealing. Let me tell you, that lesson in moral absolutes taught me a very deep and valuable lesson. You might think that was a horrible thing to do to a kid. But I sure as hell never stole anything again.
Unfortunately, we've stopped teaching those lessons of moral absolutes to our children; the ones where our teachers, parents and ministers gave us lessons and encouragement to act with respect, compassion, and truth. Now we have a society based on moral relativism. Moral relativism says, "if it feels good, do it." Moral relativism says, "If somebody disrespects you, shoot him." Now we have a society which, quite frankly, is on its way toward anarchy.
So what is Anarchy?
Anarchy is the type of government where there is no government at all. Every person is left to fight for themselves. People must continue to live through farming on their own land, find water, and build a home on their own. No one tells you what to do and there is no voting
Now, I can already hear the boo-birds on that one. We will never have anarchy! Friends, moral relativism will lead to anarchy. Consider this: As we sit right now, what is happening with that fellow who is refusing to pay for the use of public land? Cliven Bundy has his ranch surrounded by militiamen to keep the government out. He refuses to pay what he owes. He is an anarchist! He does not recognize the government or their right to enforce a court order. He will fight for himself, including the militia he has attracted (who believe as he does). This is anarchy.
If we continue on this trajectory, where police shoot and kill with impunity, our prisons are filled to capacity,and people continue to take the law into their own hands, justify the end by the means, we will be facing a very serious situation. We already have one of the, if not the, highest violent crime problems in the world. There are more guns than books. There are more people joining militia groups than joining prayer groups.
I would like to see our parents take the lead by teaching their children the rights and wrongs of living in a society. I would like to see the school go back to the basics of read, writing, arithmetic, and not dumb down education and be forced, because of children's behavior, to become baby sitters instead of educators. I would like to see the churches, synagogues and mosques return to the moral lessons of our religions and philosophies; the moral absolutes that give us a foundation to build a great society. It would bring us closer to the society of mercy, compassion, and personal responsibility which is missing now.
Please, this day, make a decision to live by those great moral absolutes we knew. When our internal dialogue says to think about what we are doing, we must stop and do so. Is it kind? Is it compassionate? Is it encouraging? Is it helpful? These questions will lead us to be better people.
I had a campus minister many years ago who said something that, at the time, I thought was total heresy. He said, "I've got enough of God. Now I need to learn to be human." I did not get it. Now that I am older, I get it. We spout religious sayings. We spout Jesus here and God there, but we don't align our behavior with what we say. And those who act that way throwing their theologies on others, are no better than the Pharisees. The Pharisees did what they wanted. They made it up as they went along to take advantage of those who were basically powerless. Oh they knew a lot about "God" but they acted with impunity.
I need to be human. I need to care, be kind, encourage others, show compassion, and treat others with respect. In doing these things, I touch the heart of God. I live by moral absolutes. Just take a moment to consider how much better our society would be if we actually taught our children personal responsibility and kindness? Just think about it.
Blessings to you all, my gentle readers.
Cindi
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