Teaching Morality, the Foundation of Civilized Society by Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

In spite of individual political beliefs, we must come into an agreement that a civilized society cannot succeed without a moral code that transcends politics.  In the government’s effort to remove religion, especially Judaism and Christianity, from our educational and political systems, it has also removed much of the moral code which is foundational to any civilization. 

George Washington wrote, “Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.  Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.” Yet, in the present atmosphere of “political correctness”, leaders in our nation and around the world are endeavoring to evolve a utopia devoid of religion and, therefore, devoid of moral principle.

One of the reasons that this has so easily come about is that moralists too often declare that something is right or wrong without explaining the reasons for that moral stance.  Likewise, too few people ask or answer questions such as, “Why is honesty the best policy?”  Instead, we discuss at length those times when we feel that, in spite of a moral code that favors honesty, it is in our best interests to be dishonest.  In doing so, we are undermining the moral code.   

How can we Christians hope to stop this immoral intrusion into our culture when it has so infiltrated our churches that often when morality comes in conflict with what the world system has declared politically correct, we dilute our doctrines and by-laws to the point where they only vaguely resemble the Word of God?

I conducted a brief, unofficial survey asking, “What moral characteristics are important to you so that you can comfortably co-exist with others?”  I questioned members of the Bible study I was leading at an assisted living facility, my church congregation and my Facebook friends.  People responded most often by listing honesty and integrity.  Other thoughts included respect for life and for the individual, a positive attitude, a good sense of humor and the ability to enjoy life.  One of my favorite responses summed up everything, “Live life to express, not to impress.”

Although most of my respondents are Christians, I sense that the general population feels much the same way.  Yet, we continue to lie to others, to ourselves and to God.  We continue to put people into leadership positions who are not known for their either their veracity or their integrity.

While most people can quite adequately define “honesty”, they struggle with a workable definition of “integrity.”  We know we should want it, but we aren’t sure what it is.  Integrity is being true to our core beliefs; it is being true to ourselves no matter what the circumstances.  

 Authors, through the ages, have portrayed integrity in their characters.  Shakespeare’s Hamletfeatures Polonius advising his son Laertes, “This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day,Thou canst not then be false to any man.”   

Mark Twain gives us Huckleberry Finn who will lie whenever he thinks it is expedient, but in the end maintains his integrity by helping Jim to escape.   

Dr. Seuss’ book, Horton Hatches the Egg, depicts the elephant Horton as one whose belief system is based on being faithful.  He proves himself faithful, “100 percent”. Horton is an elephant of integrity. 

             

(When we discuss the importance of honesty and integrity, the question always comes up:  What if a lady asks, “Do I look good in this dress?” Isn’t it better to lie than to hurt her feelings? First of all, I have been young and now I am old, and I have yet to hear a lady ask that question.  However, if one should ask, the answer is, “If you have to ask, it means that you aren’t comfortable in that dress.  Change into something that you’re comfortable in.”)

             
Because morality is essential in establishing and maintaining a civilized society, it is imperative that we both practice morality and pass those values to upcoming generations.  The teaching of values is problematic because we are concerned that it will include promulgating liberal attitudes toward sexuality.  Liberal sexual attitudes, however, are the result of a lack of the moral education.   

 Moral education must begin in our homes and in our churches.  Children must have strong moral values before they enter the education system.  We must encourage educators to reaffirm the importance and the value of honesty and integrity. 
            
Moral education is not only teaching the difference between right and wrong; it must include the importance of choosing the right. In MPowered Parenting, Dr. Michelle Macrorie, writes, “The problem, however, is that the true heart of morality, is not only to know the difference between right and wrong, but more importantly, it is the ability to careabout what is right from wrong.

“It’s quite possible to be able to distinguish right and wrong but not care about doing the right thing. A child on a playground who knows it’s right to be nice and wrong to hurt others might still push a classmate to the ground when the teacher is not looking because his classmate raced to be first in line before they went out to recess.

“This is where parents and other important caregivers come in.  It is the responsibility of the parents to take the teachings of their belief systems and to make it matter to their children.  The parents must be the instruments by which children learn to care, for moral integrity is an essential quality that connects people to one another and creates a world in which people can live together in peace.  No lectures, sermons, or Sunday school lessons can ensure that your child will care about doing the “right” thing.  He’ll learn about ethics and morality not from what others tell him, but from how you treat him.”[i]

             “Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right” (Proverbs 20:11 NKJV). 

             

             Now is the time to make honesty and integrity priorities in our lives.  Let’s demonstrate their value by the way we live.  Let’s teach world by our example.

Pray:  Declare the following before the Lord:

▪Psalm 101:2 (NKJV) 
²  I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

▪Proverbs 20:7 (NKJV)

Because my righteousness is in You, I will walk in my integrity and my children will be blessed after me.

▪1 Peter 2:12 
I will keep my conduct among the worldly honorable, so that when they speak against me as an evildoer, they may see my good deeds and glorify God.

Act:  As Dr. Laura Schlessinger often says, “Now, go do the right thing.”