Volume 10, Issue 17
Already the President of the United States has called for the issue of the right of a woman to an abortion to be the paramount decision for the national elections this fall. Leaders on both sides of the constitutional measure of a woman’s rights over the control of her body versus the rights of the unborn are drawing battle lines as if a civil war is imminent.
Before we as a nation declare unconditional war on each other, it is time to pause for one brief moment and ask oneself, what do you believe and why do you believe it? It is not enough to subject our responses to a knee-jerk reaction of an emotional opinion. It is more important to understand the values that drive our attitudes. What is it, at the deepest level of the well of our values from which we draw our conclusions shapes our attitudes that define our opinions on current events?
Before one becomes militant in reference to an issue of current event, one must understand with clarity what is the moral value threatened that is foundational to one’s purpose of existence.
The answer to the question, why is this issue or event such a provocation to one’s core values, one has to know intimately their philosophical composition of their determined righteousness.
Without a basis of deep values, underlying all reactions from which manifested emotions emanate, one is left to be tossed to and fro by the waves of current events driven through winds of humanity’s perpetual self-centeredness.
Life defining values can be based on a world view belief system or a self-proscribed reality identity. Moral codes, “the implementing laws of values,” can be unifying or divisive, depending upon whether the moral directive is meant to benefit all equally or selectively.
Evangelicals are being isolated for persecution by certain “talking heads” on cable TV as the proponent constituency for Right to Life. The attack takes the tone that Christians are discriminatory in their pro-life beliefs as it relates to women universally. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Christians by their faith seek to bring peace to all people through the understanding of Christ’s ministry. Christ, in His ascending to Heaven after the resurrection, gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and the teachers, to equip the saints through the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness and deceitful schemes. [Ephesians 4:11-14]
Regardless of the source of one’s faith, the definition of peace among all brothers and sisters stems from the intent and purpose to impart equal benefit. Without this admonition, only division amplifies through competing self-centered objectives.
Before you take issue, take issue with your own value system.
The above graphic illustrates one of the few known personality determinants of political behavior. Whether caused by inherent genes or environment, it is a reality. Certain people seek security of government for peace of mind. Some people seek less government as opportunity for peace of mind. And some people make up their mind based upon their current situation at a given moment.
Basic political decisions of these three groups are driven by the makeup of their personality. This personality behavior is like an extrovert or an introvert. It is not right or wrong, moral or immoral. It is just the way it is.
Current events are seldom unifying, but value systems can be.
In comparing one’s value system to another’s, it is important that both systems are thoroughly vetted to their core competency to eliminate cosmetically comparing oranges to apples.
The only way to unify with fellow citizens on matters of controversy is to nurture a value system which seeks to render munificence to all. This does not mean that one needs to yield to criticisms on the tenets of their faith and morality. It does mean that one’s absolutes must be found equal in benefit to all people.
As the apostles of the New Testament were instructed, extending love without condition is the proven value-based foundational framework.
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?