Irreverent Character
Irreverent character seems the “new normal.” That is, it seems commonplace for folks to talk and act crassly, irreverently.
Reverence is an interesting concept. And I speak to its value in several articles. (See, for example: Sound Character Requires Reverence.) I also devote time to it in Essentials for the Journey. Times were when many understood the importance of reverence to good character. And we also knew what was worth revering. Common decency was just that: common. Some simple, widely accepted rules governed the conduct of reverent people. And most of us knew the rules. Better yet, a good many of us heeded them, too.
Changing Times and Standards
Over time, as the importance of character waned, standards of conduct changed. As the standards changed, so did our collective character. I’ve written about the vicious cycle of character decline before. (See, for example: Culture Influences Character and Vice-Versa.) Slowly, incrementally, insidiously, as more charcter-impaired folks populated society, cultural norms, traditions, and institutions – all designed to foster and reward good character – became increasingly corrupted or absent. As that happened, more and more character-impaired folks populated society.
All manner of behavior once rare or unusual slowly became commonplace. And all manner of conduct once a cause for outrage caused little stir. Alarms did sound from time to time when truly egregious displays of bad character occured, or especially if they preciptated a horrific tragedy (e.g., a mass shooting). But sadly, outrage often didn’t last very long. We had become desensitized, and were steadly becoming even more desensitized. All manner of character dysfunction, therefore, was becoming normalized. (See also, Desensitization and the Death of Outrage .) And because it hadn’t cost us enough yet, we began thinking character didn’t really matter all that much anymore.
Perhaps the most disturbing thing is that many folks seem to enjoy the crassness and mean-spiritedness we see. And they gladly participate in it. Mockery, condescension, ridicule – all manner what was once viewed as uncivilized, now employed as pure sport.
Character Matters
Character matters. It always has, and always will. With every event that’s egregious enough to spark some outrage, we ponder what to do to fix things. We contemplate new laws, restrictions on weapons, tougher sanctions, etc. But if history has taught us anything it’s taught us that decent people don’t behave decently because a law requires them or threatens to punish them if they don’t. And bad folks don’t heed the rules anyway, often find their way around them, and don’t let sanctions deter them. (See also: Laws Can’t Fix What Only Character Can.)
Only decency of character can restore reverent civility to our relationships and community affairs. But character is something that has to be actively promoted and reinforced, in families, and society at large. You can’t impose it. You have to grow it. And the only way to do that is the exact same way we came to the sad state we experience today: slowly, incrementally, one heart at a time, beginning with our own.
Here more on this topic in the latest Character Matters podcast.
The world has become a truly terrifying place now. People love to openly judge and gossip about those less fortunate. I hate it here in the UK.
Lou,
Totally agree. Self righteous hate seems to have taken over. Folks using religion as a shield for their hypocrisy, anti semitism, racism, xenophobia, etc. and to spread propaganda. You call them out and you are the problem and are a (fill in the blank, demon, baby eater, anti christ, woke, hateful). Religion is also a handy cudgel.
The poor immigrants in Springfield, Ohio did nothing wrong, they are here legally, are hard working, and positively contributing to the community.
A politician (that is supposed to be representing them!) created a horrible story about them eating pets (he admitted he created the story after it was documented as untrue. But went on to justify making it up). These poor families and the town were receiving death threats. White nationals descended on the town. Schools were closed, festivals cancelled. A town terrorized. Why? It’s despicable.
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” (Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV)
Yes, it is awful what was done there as you seem to have experienced this first hand?
I can tell you politics and religion are not the answer. Only a genuine relationship with God is. People who think they are following the Lord will find out one day this was unacceptable behavior. Both parties are lying to us I believe. They are 2 wings of the same bird. The plan has been from the beginning to destroy relationships and that is what their agenda remains.
The scripture you have posted above says it all from God!!!
I replied before, but I guess it didn’t take.
Yes, been targeted many times. That way too. You express a problem/need and instead of helping, they use it as an opportunity to fulfill an agenda. It’s devastating when they make your problems worse- on purpose! Then scapegoat you.
I’m not naive to politicians and their manipulation/spin. I’m not a fan of them. I do however see that just like manipulators/abusers, there are different levels of manipulation.
I believe these guys are abusers (convicted for rape
And fraud). They have pushed on and tested the limits on norms, boundaries and laws and discovered they can get away with it -everything. They have broken norms that have lasted for almost 200 years. Poof.
Their policies are cruel, exploitive, and detrimental to everyone except their rich and powerful friends.
Just like when we didn’t understand our abusers, and everything that came with it. I think many do not see them as they are.
It breaks my heart. We are in for a world of hurt. I pray for everyone, especially the very vulnerable. They are usually the first to be targeted.
Decapitation Strike – by Timothy Snyder
Imagine that you are a foreign leader who wishes to destroy the United States. How could you do so? The easiest way would be to get Americans to do the work themselves, to somehow induce Americans to undo their own health, law, administration, defense, and intelligence. From this perspective, Trump’s proposed appointments – Kennedy, Jr.; Gaetz; Musk; Ramaswamy; Hegseth; Gabbard – are perfect instruments. They combine narcissism, incompetence, corruption, sexual incontinence, personal vulnerability, dangerous convictions, and foreign influence as no group before them has done. These proposed appointments look like a decapitation strike: destroying the American government from the top, leaving the body politic to rot, and the rest of us to suffer.
I do not defend the status quo. …
In Canada, a Farmer has created a voluntary declaration for any farmer to sign. They will not SPRAY Glyphosate onto Oats Pre-Harvest. Glyphosate levels in Oat Based products has fallen, in USA as a result.
Positive Change comes from us all. Not by ticking a box.
That’s wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
If there is someone not familiar with Glyphosate, it’s a cancer causing pesticide. With them using it to dry the oats, it’s on the oats you buy.
If your budget allows it, consider buying organic oats. They don’t use it.
Cancer researchers recommend organic products in general, but oats specifically because of the Glyphosate.