Why is it that so many of us are so pessimistic about the state of American morality? Not the large questions like the poetical and social direction of the country, but the more practical questions like honesty between people. Certainly part of it comes from stories like that of George Santos, who won an election based on outright lies and is now indicted on a number of charges.
However, a recent study indicates that our view of public morality as well as the private relationships between people has not really changed over the decades. The question is, of course, have we changed over the decades. The polarization in our society is more open than it was decades ago, and the forces of hate are more open and visible.
Countering those forces will take more than simply preaching to them; it takes building relationships with others, at times those people we do not really want to associate with. Breaking down those forces also involves addressing the cultural pessimism that seems to have overtaken us. Living as an Easter people, with the confidence in the reality of new life, is a good way to begin.
Prayer for the Day
God of the past, you have shown your steadfast love to us;
May we respond to your faithfulness in serving others.
God of the present, you challenge us to live in community;
May we respond to your call by caring for others.
God of the future, you ask us to envision wild possibilities;
May we expand our vision of who we are and what we can be.
We ask this in the name of the One who opens doors for us,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
That pessimism about human nature is pretty common when people are making judgements about those who are not on their side …What’s interesting is that this bias seems to be more pervasive and doesn’t seem to be rooted in intergroup bias.
- Liane Young, Director, The Morality Lab, Boston College
The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.
- William James, American psychologist (1842-1910)
I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols.
See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare;
Before they spring forth, I tell you of them.
Isaiah 42: 8-9