Moral Tug of War

Who picks what is morally right or wrong? As one who grew up in "church," I was taught about moral standards from a biblical perspective. I was taught that stealing and lying were wrong, along with a lot of other, "don't do's" because they were sinful. 

 

Over the years, there has been a shift in what is and isn't acceptable morally. Media and religion seem to be the driving force behind what is right and wrong. Religiously, people have taken hard stands against anyone they deem has crossed the moral standard lines and are fighting fiercely to uphold their biblical moral truths at all cost. Media has open the door for total acceptance and moral truth in whatever you believe your truth to be. Media is the protector of freedom of expression and life without boundaries.

 

Morality has become subjective by the media and truth has become tainted by the Christian. Media says moral standards are based on your personal feelings and what you believe you are to be or believe through the influences of others or your own personal opinions is your right. Christians have tainted truth by becoming the self-righteous, judge and jury and the keeper of the moral gate. They have pushed people away by their hard moral stand and sent the moral truth breakers to hell. 

 

For media and Christians to navigate together, there has to be a willingness to insulting each other for being reckless and out of touch with moral reality. 

 

It is okay to disagree with someone's moral view; but, it's not okay to be hateful, discriminatory, slanderous or revengeful. It is imperative to seek common ground and to discuss the moral differences. In doing so, we change the negative climate and open the door for patience to lead the way. 

 

Mahatma Gandhi captured patience perfectly when he said, "To lose patience is to lose the battle." In order to win the battle we must come to the table and talk. We must be okay with someone not agreeing with our life choices. We must be willing to seek truth at all times (it's possible that what we thought was right, could be wrong). And, we must love more than anything else we do. 

 

My personal moral compassion is driven by God. These are the principles I tried to live by...

 

1. Love God mostly, so I can love others better

2. God gets the first, middle and last word

3. Treat others the way you want to be treated - Matthew 7:12

4. Be kind and merciful, and forgive others - Ephesians 4:32

5. Seek first righteousness - Matthew 6:33

6. "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." Dr. King Jr. 

 

Remember, Be God Controlled!