HAS THE IDEA OF ‘MORALITY IN AMERICA’ BECOME AN
A Gallup Poll from June 2023 states:
54% say the state of moral values in U.S. is poor; 33% only fair.
83% think U.S. moral values are getting worse.
74% of Republicans say moral values are poor; 97% think they are worsening.
Dr. Tracy Munsil, Executive Director of the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University says that our nation is facing a potential moral freefall unthinkable to earlier generations – with a majority of Americans today no longer embracing values of honesty, respect for the rule of law, the sanctity of life, and traditional sexual morality when facing moral issues.
As a result, as a nation we are radically redrawing moral boundaries. For example, those surveyed were more likely to say it is morally unacceptable to renege on repaying a small debt to a relative than to have an abortion.
Less than half said it was morally unacceptable to tell a lie to protect their personal interest or reputation, with 27% saying it was morally acceptable or that it was not a moral issue at all.
Lying, stealing, killing, murdering, sexual perversion, alcoholism, drug addiction, and increasing violence of all kinds have been on the rise for decades.
When a society loses its ability to trust its institutions, its authority figures, its government, then it will cease to function which can lead to the kinds of societal chaos and anarchy we are now witnessing.
When members of society cannot trust or depend on one another it will descend into widespread violent discord, and eventually, it will cease to exist.
There are those who claim that statistics show that things are no worse today than they have ever been in America. But statistics can be subject to several variables. In this case, there are three standards of judgment.
(#1). Some are based on situational ethical standards, which are subject to the interpretation of the individual based on their personal view of the situation or circumstances at hand. This standard is highly subjective and is never static.
EXAMPLE: It is okay to steal food if you are hungry and cannot afford to pay for it. (If you were the victim of such a theft, how would you then feel?).
EXAMPLE: It is okay to lie if you don’t think it will hurt anyone, or if you think it will protect someone from a hurtful truth. (How would you feel, however, if you were the one being lied to?).
#2). Next are conditional ethics which are highly subjective to the desires, needs, wants and opinion of the those making the judgment. This standard is unreliable and subject to manipulation. It says “I will give you my approval if you give me what I want”.
EXAMPLE: It is okay to gossip and hurt the reputation of someone if they will not support you in a project or in your efforts; or to promote them above others who are less qualified, because they support you – even if your behavior, project or effort is questionable. A tit-for-tat ethos. (How would you feel if you were the victim of the gossip?).
(#3). Finally, a moral absolute – an absolute standard of truth. Coincidentally, the moral values and standards underpinning the foundations of the American Experiment, which sprang from a Judeo-Christian ethos, postulates a moral absolute – an absolute standard of truth. (This absolutism is stated in the second paragraph of our Declaration of Independence, “We hold these Truths to be self-evident…”).
EXAMPLE: You do the honest and the right thing simply because it is the right thing, regardless of how it benefits you – because the Bible says it is the only way. (How would you feel if someone treated you fairly at their own cost or peril?).
Now I ask, using one of the standards which are listed above, where do you stand? Please review the list below, of the TEN COMMANDMENTS which are taken from the Bible, and decide which of the three standards of ethics most closely defines your view of good morals and acceptable ethical standards. Put a check mark by your choice. Additionally, regardless of what you chose as your standard of ethics, choose a word from the two sets of what I will call motivations, from the ones in red text or the ones in blue text. Find the motivating word or the word that most closely describes how you feel about the 10 Commandments:
- “You shall have no other gods before me.” God desires our complete loyalty and allegiance for our own benefit, not to forget His divine providence. This command forbids placing anyone or anything above God. (New Testament References: 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 Timothy 2:5).
Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances’
Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return’
Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it’
Motivational or descriptive word from list below .
- “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below….” This command forbids the use of any man-made image for the purpose of worship. No human has the ability to create a piece of artwork or construct a statue that accurately represents God. He alone is worthy of worship. (New Testament References: 1 John 5:21, Galatians 4:8, Romans 1:21-23)
Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances’
Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return’
Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it’
Motivational or descriptive word from list below .
- Don’t misuse God’s name—This command forbids mishandling, lightly using, or speaking in vain the name of God. (New Testament References: 1 Timothy 6:1, Matthew 5:33-37)
Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances’
Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return’
Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it’
Motivational or descriptive word from list below .
- Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy—This commandment required the Israelites to set aside a specific day of the week to dedicate as a day of rest to the Lord—the Sabbath. (New Testament References: Hebrews 4:1-11 tells us that Jesus fulfilled this law completely. Christians find their Sabbath rest in the person of Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:16 confirms that New Covenant Believers are no longer required to adhere to Sabbath laws.)
Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances’
Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return’
Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it’
Motivational or descriptive word from list below .
- Honor your mother and father—This command requires that parents be shown honor and respect. It’s also the only command that comes with a promise. “so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” (New Testament References: Ephesians 6:1-2, Matthew 15:4-9)
Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances’
Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return’
Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it’
Motivational or descriptive word from list below .
- Do not murder—This command forbids the premeditated killing of another human being. (New Testament References: Romans 13:9; 1 Peter 4:15)
Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances’
Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return’
Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it’
Motivational or descriptive word from list below .
- Don’t commit adultery—This command forbids breaking the sacred marriage covenant by having sexual relations with anyone other than one’s spouse. (New Testament references: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, John 8:1-20)
Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances’
Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return’
Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it’
Motivational or descriptive word from list below .
- Don’t steal—This command forbids taking someone else’s possessions without permission. (New Testament References: Ephesians 4:28, Luke 19:8)
Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances’
Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return’
Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it’
Motivational or descriptive word from list below .
- Don’t give false testimony against your neighbor—This command forbids testifying falsely against someone in court, but the context also implies that lying is forbidden. New Testament References: Revelation 21:8, John 8:44)
Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances’
Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return’
Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it’
Motivational or descriptive word from list below .
- Don’t covet—This command forbids harboring a desire for someone else’s possessions, pouse, or property. (New Testament References: Colossians 3:5, Ephesians 5:3)
Situational – ‘It depends on the circumstances’
Conditional – ‘It depends on what I get in return’
Absolute – ‘There is no doubt about it’
Motivational or descriptive word from list below .
For example, “I shall have no other gods (other than the Christian God)”. This implies you must believe in God. Choose a word from either list that best describes how that statement make you feel.
(These lists are from the New Testament, Galatians chapter 5)
sexual immorality, impurity,
sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control),
idolatry, sorcery,
hostility, strife,
jealousy, fits of anger,
disputes, dissensions,
factions [that promote heresies], envy,
drunkenness, riotous behavior,
OR
love – unselfish concern for others, joy,
inner peace, patience
kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness,
self-control.
Two main points here are:
Point number 1.
(#1). If you lean toward ‘situational ethics’ you tend to be your own judge and jury and the judge and jury of others depending on how you view circumstances and situations.
(#2). If you lean toward ‘conditional ethics’ you tend to be self-centered. This one is hard to admit, but you know if you are. Your decisions and judgements based almost solely on how circumstances and situations affect you first and foremost, and what will benefit you most. I.e., what you will gain or get in return.
(#3). If you lean toward an ‘absolute standard of morals’ you can tend to be a rule keeper and you could be hard on yourself and harsh toward others at times, if you do not balance justice with mercy.
Point number 2.
Knowing the motivations for your ethical standard can help you better understand others response toward you. For example, if you are constantly in personal conflicts it may be because you think others are ‘out to get you’ or that you deserve better than others, so your decisions and ethical standards are geared to that motivation.
If you want a better life for yourself and for others your motivation may be to apply kindness, self-control, patience and a modicum of love when making judgments of circumstances, situations and of others.
You might make better decisions if you know your motivations.
A FINAL WORD – A NOTE TO (SELF) and to CHRISTIANS.
It can be easier to follow and keep the letter of the law, i.e., the rules. It can much more difficult to follow and keep the spirit of the law, i.e., make your ethical decisions from a motivation of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness and self-control. Justice balanced by mercy. This is our calling and our responsibility.
A FINAL WORD – PERIOD.
Regarding the red text, the Bible says that if you use these standards, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The Bible says that the fruit of the Spirit is the result of God’s presence within us. “Walk habitually in the Holy Spirit, seek God and be responsive to His guidance, and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts.”
“For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the desire of the Spirit opposes the sinful nature”.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PS: I will leave you with this video. I do this cautiously because it has political overtones and is strictly secular in its approach to morals and ethics. It is a TED talk on The moral roots of liberals and conservatives by Jonathan Haidt. But it makes some good points – although, beware of any form of seductive Hegalianism.
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