Update [2004-11-18 20:33:12 by Bluedoc]:How shall we apply the concept of "morals and values?" Let's start by examining the definitions and examine how they fit into the politial scene.
Definition of Morals (Webster): "ethical motive: motivation based on ideas of right and wrong"
Note: the definition of morals is not stated in absolutes, rather it states that it is "motivation based on ideas of right and wrong"
Where is the "absolute" in all of this? It seems to boil down to "ideas and beliefs"...formed from actual or vicarious experience perhaps, or perhaps passed on from one person to the next with little evaluation. There is no sense of "absolute" in the definition.
If we view "morals" as being based on "ethical motive" which is "motivation based on ideas of right and wrong" (Webster) then we should ask questions of those who proclaim that we must return to "morals and values" in our government.
Is it moral to bomb and invade a foreign nation and kill its citizens based on assumptions (or perhaps based on a plan drawn up prior to the attack in 1997)?
http://dailykoshttp://newamericancentury.org/RebuildingAmericasDefenses.pdf
Is it moral to shoot wounded a enemy who is already down and unarmed? Is it moral to cause the dissolution of families on foreign soil, forcefully evacuate them from their homes and villages, maime and kill their innocent children, then leave them to their own resources and hope they will establish elections?
From a self-proclaimed CHRISTIAN regieme, what has become of the Christian directive "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."? ...or "Thy shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Oh, perhaps it is because these individuals are not actually our "neighbors"...they live in a different part of the world and do not practice the same religion as our leaders. Perhaps they do not value life as we do (or perhaps we do not value their lives as we do our own).
So much for morals...what about values?
A Definition of Values (Wordnet2.0, 2003): "beliefs of a person or social group in which they have an emotional investment (either for or against something); "he has very conservatives values"
Do we as Americans have common "values"? I was of the opinion that as Americans valued freedom of religion; freedom of speech; freedom of the press; and freedom to peaceably assemble (First Amendment) and right to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures, yet I read of increasing violations of these rights under the current political regeime. All of these protections are spelled out in the Bill of Rights http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.billofrights.html.
What has happened?
Political figures are trying to impose one religion on a nation made up of peoples from many lands who continue to practice their own religions. Shall we ban everyone except the Christians?!!!
There are documented reports of individuals losing jobs because they express political opinions different from management; groups being incarcerated because of expressing dissenting opinions; media groups being mandated to air politically biased programming...or not allowed to air certain information that would create a "bad image" for the political leaders; and a pending case where an individual is being denied citizenship rights after having surgery to change gender.
Do we value human life? Do we value the individual? Or, do we value only the ideas and beliefs of the "ruling" political party? (Sadly, I use the word "ruling" rather than "governing" political party because of the rapid changes taking place in this "Land of the Free.")
Is it "moral" to hate people of other religions, other races or ethnic groups, or other sexual orientations? Is it moral to hate, period?
Shall it become a national "value" that everyone must practice the same religion, follow the same cultural "rules" or otherwise live on the fringes of our society if they do not fit a predescribed "norm?"
Shall we attempt to erase all vestiges of diversity in our great nation?
Shall we make a mockery of the teachings of Christ?
Shall we re-write the constitution and laws to make them easier for the current administration to understand and implement?