This book is about America straying from her found fathers’ concern for principles of right conduct. It challenges readers to contemplate virtues and values needed in today’s lifestyle.
Preface
According to Dr. James Dobson, noted family psychologist, good parents do not teach a child displeasing behavior. Parents set out to teach acceptable behavior; the child has innate ability to do the unacceptable.
Morality, or the principles of right conduct, is woven into our being. Just watch those children Dr. Dobson writes about; see how they can disobey without instructions on how to do so. According to Old Testament scripture, we have no excuse for not knowing right from wrong (Jeremiah 31:33).
Webster’s Ninth New College Dictionary defines moral as “relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior; conforming to a standard of right behavior.”
Morality is more than marital fidelity. Morality usually includes a whole package of virtuous lifestyle: commitment, self-discipline, compassion, responsibility, respect, and honesty, to name a few. Our founding fathers had concern for the principles of right conduct.
Is there no longer recognition of a standard of right behavior? When conduct conflicts with traditionally held moral principles, is there no shame among us?
I talked recently with someone who had been out of America for six years. Upon returning they were appalled to see how this country had moved to the brink of the abyss of moral decay while they were away.
Are we witnessing the reality of the children’s story about the Emperor’s clothes? Have we watched as Americans across our land have exchanged their integrity for deceit? As our people have compromised traditional principles or right and wrong for the sake of personal comfort? Have we become so insensitive that we cannot tell if the Emperor has on clothes or not?
As Brit Hume of FOX News television said, “It’s been difficult of late to shame the people of the United States on anything.” Today’s society displays no apparent shame. Can we learn to live with that? Do we want to?
Introduction
I don’t propose to enshrine the “good old days.” However, they were good and they rendered lasting, positive memories. But memories represent the past. On the other hand, perhaps today’s society could benefit from the past. Maybe past virtues could contribute to the improvement and good fortune of the present.
Nothing is ever so perfect that a little improvement wouldn’t be welcomed. This principle holds true for America. Our country probably never has been perfect. Far from it or out history wouldn’t be speckled with war and depression and poverty and discrimination.
But the pock marks of adversity can serve as stepping stones toward a better today and tomorrow. When in the spasms of hardship, we long for something better. Something that could work.
This “something” contained elements available today. Perhaps they could be blended into a palatable recipe to ease fears and tensions.
What are some of these ingredients that seem to be absent or neglected in our world today?
Responsibility to do what’s necessary.
Respect for other and self.
Sacrifice of our time for the sake of family loyalty.
Integrity among peoples and communities.
Self-discipline to do what we know is good.
Enthusiasm to get excited about simple things.
Excellence toward all our obligations.
Courage to undertake the difficult.
Compassion toward all people.
Faith in God.
Love for America.
Every day I long for my world to return to virtues that worked. Virtues that could work again if allowed a place of importance in today’s lifestyle.
Freedom Means Responsibility
Is freedom as certain as taxes? Is it ours just because it’s ours? No strings attached? Carl Sandburg said, “Freedom is baffling: Men having it often know not they have it till it is gone and they no longer have it.”
Mr. Sandburg’s thinking mirrors the adage, “You don’t miss your water till the well runs dry.” Has our liberty become simply a right we take for granted? Like the air we breathe? We’ve become aware of the dangers of losing our favored environment unless we do our part in its conservation. What can we do to prevent our freedoms from threats of extinction as our clean air has received? Is it up to us to guard our liberty as many today practice basic protection of our environment?
George Bernard Shaw said, “Liberty means responsibility.” If we agree with Mr. Shaw, it’s necessary to explore the definition of responsibility. Doesn’t responsibility mean that ultimately “the buck stops here”? That I must live with the consequences if I make wrong decisions, not blaming them on other people or a higher authority?
That responsibility even includes protecting our basic possession of liberty. I hope the days are gone when some of our citizens talk about the great advantages of having liberty, only to pass along all the decision making and problem solving and defending to others.
Annually we celebrate the beginning of this country. Her gift of freedom. Fireworks streak the sky around Miss Liberty’s upraised arm in the New York harbor. From coast to coast each July in our great country, people celebrate. Celebrate America’s past and look to her future. What a time
in history to have faith in the future! With our vast capabilities in science, technology, and industry, combined with the love and concern we’re capable of, we could start clearing cobwebs of poverty, conflict, and ignorance in our world. We have the means to reach for such a goal
and we have the freedom to move toward it.
In the plaza of the Rockefeller Center in New York City, the personal credo of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. is inscribed on a plaque. One of his statements there reads: “I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.” This is indeed a great time to have faith in a bright future for America. Today our liberty is intact. Combining our rights, our opportunities, and our possessions with our compassion, we could go
far in making this country one of comfort and brotherhood.
Can we remove our mental blinders and use our liberty to help bring about a brighter future for our children and grandchildren? A brighter one than present conditions sometime promise?
Do we want to?
Do we believe we can?Read more about Shades of Gray: America’s Cloudy Moral Climate and Jo Huddleston HERE.
Copyright 2008 Jo Huddleston. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.
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