Moral Relativism / Secularism
June 13, 2007
I've been thinking a lot over the past couple of months on morals and ethics in society and my own belief system. So many uncomfortable questions and very few answers.
Who defines the morality and ethical foundations of a society? What are the current morals and values of our society? How do these values change us and guide us through our lives? Has the role of providing morals and values to our children been usurped by the state and popular culture? We know that our current morals and values are different from previous generations but why are they different? What is the impact of those differences? Are the changes positive or negative?
Who defines the morality and ethical foundations of a society?
In the past, this role fell to parents, grandparents and religious organizations. Today, this
is no longer the case.
What are the current morals and values of our society?
We have been raised into a culture where tolerance is paramount. Tolerance is always on its face a good thing and most people understand this. But in the process, the boundaries of conduct and morality have been blurred to such an extent that no one can say where the limits are. Very little if anything beyond tolerance is defined.
It has become far too easy to rationalize other people's conduct based on tolerance whether it is an affront to human dignity or not. We have been conditioned to tolerate even the most disgusting behaviour.
We now live in a largely secular culture where moral relativism is the norm. Everyone accepts secularism as a good thing. We know that the separation of church and state is necessary to good governance. However, how are universal human values, morals and ethics communicated in a secular world?
Morals and values are being communicated through the media and popular culture and
those that control those corporate entities. This is not a good thing.
Has the role of providing morals and values to our children been usurped by
the state and popular culture?
In a secular climate of moral relativism, the values are defined by the group. But who defines the values of the group? The values of the group are defined by the educational system, the media and the popular culture (books, TV, radio, movies etc). Under this circumstance, our beliefs, morals and values are provided to us by outside groups that control education, the media and popular culture but who's true purposes we do not, and are not allowed to understand. As such, we should all be wary.
This is even more true when you consider the message/values/beliefs they are giving
us. Stuff like "take care of number one", "look after you and yours", "don't get
involved", "trust the government", "enjoy yourself now and don't worry about tomorrow",
"you can't fight city hall", "be a good member of society", "science is always definitive",
"always support the military", "don't ask questions" and the list goes on endlessly.
These are not values that contribute to a good society. Rather, they lead to subservience
to government, business and scientific experts. A free society is a society that
asks questions. When you give the power to answer the big questions on life and
society to others you have given over your freedom and it will allow them to do
anything they want to you.
Generations
Those of us in our 30's and 40's while raised in this climate, still retain an element of morality and ethical behaviour derived from the Christian tradition. But what about those to follow? Where will their morals and beliefs be derived? I think those values and beliefs will be provided by governments, corporate foundations and media conglomorates. But, do they have the best interests of the young at heart? This is unlikely. Those institutions always advance their own interests ahead of the interests of the people. It is far more likely they will lead the youth by the nose
ring into accepting repression and control as the norm.
For me, it's clear that our beliefs and values were given to us by the government's
education system, foundations and the media. We have been taught to disregard and devalue anything given to us by our elders and trust the state. This is in fact the opposite of how we should
view things - we should value and trust what we are told by our elders and distrust
everything given to us by the government, the corporate
media and their propaganda arms (CBC, CTV and the like here in Canada).
Societal Impact: Positive or Negative?
Despite the fact that I'm not a big fan of organized religion, I think the impact of the current culture of moral relativism has been negative. The created social climate has left most people selfish, narcissistic, taught to objectify the opposite sex, isolated and segregated from the opposite sex, unable to determine right from wrong for themselves, isolated from their parents and grandparents and as such unable to learn from their vast experience, and focused on instant gratification.
The consequences of the propagation of these values are just beginning to be felt
and will only get worse.
Yes, secularism and moral relativism are a good thing if you want to dehumanize
the people and separate them one from another.
The Antidote
There are a number of things that can be done to counteract the consistent dehumanization
we are being subjected to by corporate media culture.
Talk to people about real issues and values. Connect with others at every opportunity.
Forget the weather and the latest Hollywood news. Its all distraction and irrelevance.
Stop watching television and being subjected to the "programming" of your mind.
Challenge others when they present you with a point of view that is selfish, divisive,
or apathetic.
Educate the young and instill in them human values of compassion and caring. Success
and self worth are not measured by the amount of wealth you accumulate. This is
a very destructive lie.
Reject the use and propagation of violence in all forms - war, TV, video games and
the like.
Be involved with teaching your children real values to counter the indoctrination
being given to them by the educational system and the media. And screen all the
reading material given to your children.
Encourage others to think for themselves and not rely on the media or government
to do their thinking for them.
Above all, don't believe a thing you are being told over and over again by corporations,
governments and the media. Their interests are their own and, as history has taught
us, have never be in the interest of compassionate human beings.