The Devil made me do it
Tuesday, 2. June 2009, 22:08:20
As I sit here at the computer keyboard, it is hard to concentrate on what I am typing today because five kittens are either curled around my bare feet sleeping, or for those that are awake, biting my toes and trying to climb my legs with their sharp little claws.
Nonetheless, I am moved to offer a short commentary on the state of morality and ethics in our modern world. Now, I know you are thinking, “Here we go again, another old fart complaining that the world is going to hell in a hand basket.”
Actually, I don’t believe in a literal ‘Hell’ or the ‘Devil’ for that matter. These are fables from ancient history. Now, some would offer that famous quote, “The Devil’s greatest accomplishment was to convince us that he doesn’t exist.” I think more along the lines of Fyodor Dostoyevsky, who said, “The devil does not exist, and man has therefore created him, he has created him in his own image and likeness.”
I also believe that there is a moral and ethical vacuum developing that didn’t exist in my childhood, when people were ‘God-fearing’ and attended church regularly. In point of fact, most religions are abject failures at promoting true morality and ethical behavior. To illustrate this notion, I offer the Inquisition and the crusades conducted by Christians, who also conveniently offered absolution of sin through the ‘Confession’. Recently, many ministers and priests have been convicted of sexually abusing children or church attendees.
Not to be outdone, we have another religion with over 1.5 billion followers, some of whom routinely rape and kill innocent women and children and use others as ‘Human shields’ while they wage bloody war, only to pause briefly five times a day to pray to God, humbly on their knees, with their foreheads touching the floor.
Are these people really devout? Hardly. I suspect many of the non-violent true believers are, but it matters not; the indoctrination provided by these religions does not get the job done, apparently. And, the really devout and ‘pure’ among them are seldom in the clergy. Rather, they are in the silent masses, and routinely engage in simple acts of kindness and self-sacrifice. For them, the belief system has been internalized, and the ethical and moral concepts espoused are programmed into their very bones.
In our ‘modern age’, religion has taken a back seat to scientific ‘truth’, and is widely discredited. Yet, little or nothing is being done to replace these lost value systems in our children. In America, our democracy depends on the ‘Rule of law’ to survive. And, our legal system was formed on the basis of English Common Law, which includes a healthy dose of morality based on religious concepts.
The fact is, half the people on earth would be ruined at once if everyone told what they knew. I saw in today’s headlines that the FBI is presently investigating over 1,300 securities fraud cases, including many Ponzi schemes. In addition, they are pursuing over 580 corporate fraud cases, and they are awaiting a flood of more fraud and corruption cases associated with the TARP and bailout funds being distributed by our government.
This is quite shocking to me. One can excuse somewhat the ‘Homie’ that leaves the ‘Hood’ to mug someone, or strip a car because they lack a proper education, but the case overload at the FBI is from ‘White collar’ criminals with degrees.
It has become obvious to me that elementary and secondary schools are lacking in the most essential part of the curriculum: Providing a thorough grounding in moral and ethical behavior. This vital part of our children’s education must not be seen as the provenance of their parents, and it must have an equal weighting with the three ‘R’s if we are to survive as a modern, progressive, and compassionate society.
We can no longer depend on the old institutions of church and state to do the job. This emphasis on an understanding of the benefits to all humanity of moral and ethical behavior must supersede the current form of government in power, and have no dependence on religious value systems.
It is a burning issue that needs to be debated and codified into the educational systems of all nations as soon as possible. Like the ‘climate change’ issue, it can no longer wait.
Nonetheless, I am moved to offer a short commentary on the state of morality and ethics in our modern world. Now, I know you are thinking, “Here we go again, another old fart complaining that the world is going to hell in a hand basket.”
Actually, I don’t believe in a literal ‘Hell’ or the ‘Devil’ for that matter. These are fables from ancient history. Now, some would offer that famous quote, “The Devil’s greatest accomplishment was to convince us that he doesn’t exist.” I think more along the lines of Fyodor Dostoyevsky, who said, “The devil does not exist, and man has therefore created him, he has created him in his own image and likeness.”
I also believe that there is a moral and ethical vacuum developing that didn’t exist in my childhood, when people were ‘God-fearing’ and attended church regularly. In point of fact, most religions are abject failures at promoting true morality and ethical behavior. To illustrate this notion, I offer the Inquisition and the crusades conducted by Christians, who also conveniently offered absolution of sin through the ‘Confession’. Recently, many ministers and priests have been convicted of sexually abusing children or church attendees.
Not to be outdone, we have another religion with over 1.5 billion followers, some of whom routinely rape and kill innocent women and children and use others as ‘Human shields’ while they wage bloody war, only to pause briefly five times a day to pray to God, humbly on their knees, with their foreheads touching the floor.
Are these people really devout? Hardly. I suspect many of the non-violent true believers are, but it matters not; the indoctrination provided by these religions does not get the job done, apparently. And, the really devout and ‘pure’ among them are seldom in the clergy. Rather, they are in the silent masses, and routinely engage in simple acts of kindness and self-sacrifice. For them, the belief system has been internalized, and the ethical and moral concepts espoused are programmed into their very bones.
In our ‘modern age’, religion has taken a back seat to scientific ‘truth’, and is widely discredited. Yet, little or nothing is being done to replace these lost value systems in our children. In America, our democracy depends on the ‘Rule of law’ to survive. And, our legal system was formed on the basis of English Common Law, which includes a healthy dose of morality based on religious concepts.
The fact is, half the people on earth would be ruined at once if everyone told what they knew. I saw in today’s headlines that the FBI is presently investigating over 1,300 securities fraud cases, including many Ponzi schemes. In addition, they are pursuing over 580 corporate fraud cases, and they are awaiting a flood of more fraud and corruption cases associated with the TARP and bailout funds being distributed by our government.
This is quite shocking to me. One can excuse somewhat the ‘Homie’ that leaves the ‘Hood’ to mug someone, or strip a car because they lack a proper education, but the case overload at the FBI is from ‘White collar’ criminals with degrees.
It has become obvious to me that elementary and secondary schools are lacking in the most essential part of the curriculum: Providing a thorough grounding in moral and ethical behavior. This vital part of our children’s education must not be seen as the provenance of their parents, and it must have an equal weighting with the three ‘R’s if we are to survive as a modern, progressive, and compassionate society.
We can no longer depend on the old institutions of church and state to do the job. This emphasis on an understanding of the benefits to all humanity of moral and ethical behavior must supersede the current form of government in power, and have no dependence on religious value systems.
It is a burning issue that needs to be debated and codified into the educational systems of all nations as soon as possible. Like the ‘climate change’ issue, it can no longer wait.
WIDGETIZE
San # 3. June 2009, 03:02
David # 3. June 2009, 03:44
However, global solutions require a global ethos, and the classroom provides the best setting for an even-handed instruction in these issues. I hope someday, parents take more responsibility for instructing their offspring on these issues, but what is, is.........
53north # 3. June 2009, 16:33
At a recent interview at a Govt. Office I was shocked to see the dozen or so desk bound folks all clinically obese, clinically depressed and depressing, and totally bereft of humanity, ideas or spark. And they were giving advice..
=o}
David # 3. June 2009, 18:10
Anonymous # 8. July 2009, 22:04
As a clergy person, I am preparing a sermon on responsibility using the beheading of John the Baptist at Herod's request. I want to believe, and there is a lot of evidence that the "moral imperative" is in each of our DNAs. The pressures of "civilization" ie. commercialism, the "American Way of Life" inclulding "do what it takes to win" success measured in dollars, the greed that produces ponzi schemes that promise hope but are flawed at the core are a few examples of how life gets skewed by some of our "systesm" of free enterprise. Even Madoff now admits to his wrongdoing. This adds credence to my hope that each of us carry the seeds of responsibility within us. It is my hope that we act on their promptings early in our decision making so that others do not have to be hurt.
David # 9. July 2009, 00:12
Thanks for the visit!