I love when somebody gives me something interesting to ponder. A member of my local community recently suggested that people moved to our area because of the “good morals and values” that our community has. This got me to thinking: What is morality? Where do you find morality? What do you base your morality on? Do you think morality is limited to just certain religions or can anyone be a moral person?
I don’t think morality is limited to a specific place, people, political party, or religion. For me, people with good morals are the people who are kind to one another, and to their fellow creatures. For me, good morals are seen in honesty, integrity, hard work, generosity, compassion, and kindness. People who aren’t quick to jump off the handle and start yelling at each other, calling each other names, and threatening each other are, I believe, showing good morals. People who are able to thoughtfully reflect on their beliefs, who can admit when they’re wrong, and are more concerned about someone else’s needs than their own wants show good morality.
I was raised in what, I guess, you would call the Christian tradition. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Love your neighbor. Love your enemies. Feed the hungry. Blessed are the peacemakers” – these are the passages from the Bible that were emphasized in my up-bringing. But I have friends from all religions and non-religions, and from all around the world, who share these beliefs with me. I don’t think you need to be a Christian to be a good person.
My parents didn’t maybe share the same religious beliefs (and for a time they didn’t even belong to the same political party), but they shared the same values: Be kind; don’t be quick to judge; appreciate the environment and take care of it; help those in need. I’m grateful to them for passing those values onto my brothers and me.
Okay – your turn. What are your thoughts about morality?
I think you hit it on the head. Treat others with respect, be kind, and be of service to others. None of which is dependent on race, religion, or geography.
Exactly!!! sonofabeach – I just want you to know how reassuring it is to me to know you and others like you are walking on this planet with me. It gives me hope.
I agree with you both. The term ‘morals’ is a little too fraught with various meanings from various sources to not raise some dissent over what it “really” means, but the basics which sonofa says seem great. I also like Bill and Ted’s “party on and be excellent to each other”. I think that wholesome enjoyment is also a really good component of life and sanity, and enjoying treating others (and self) with respect, being kind, and being of service to others seems really great. Like the Buddhists say, cultivating wisdom, compassion, and skillful means are key to benefitting all beings, and they’re not the only ones who think that. Best wishes to all–
Wonderful thoughts! Thank you, Donnalee! Bill and Ted know what matters. 🙂
Interestingly, the men got back together maybe five years ago to make a film about the dark or deep internet–
Whoahhh…