Terms and phrases like "worldview," "belief systems" and "behavioral drivers" are used to describe how people reference their world, encompassing approaches to family, work, interactions with others and decisions about faith, entertainment and education choices, profession, savings, investment choices and charitable engagement.
Robin SmithWhile the Judeo-Christian faith serves as a common bedrock of values that comprise the worldview of many, society benefits from understood standards that define right versus wrong, good versus evil, decent versus indecent, etc. A civil society thrives with individuals who actively live within the framework of right, good and decency. Those who do so operate in collaboration and community with value placed on the virtues of honesty, respect and regard, gratitude, self-control, self-efficacy and so on.
There's plenty of moralizing that goes on, offering approval or disapproval of behaviors and actions. But does this moralizing align with the values that are timeless and truly benefit our existence (individually and as a society), or does today's moralizing focus on the benefits of certain groups and agendas?
In essence, one could argue, today's values have become crowdsourced.
Crowdsourcing is a popular process of obtaining content, funding, services and ideas from a solicitation to an external group, most often the online community in this digital age. This approach to innovation within business has been embraced because it's inexpensive. Likewise, this approach to community participation is accepted because it appeals to an engaged online group of citizens.
How does any of this relate to today?
What makes it unacceptable for one who's unemployed to steal a credit card number to buy food and clothing? When an individual or a large corporation deliberately hides assets and income to avoid taxation, what makes that a wrong to society?
Conversely, what makes it good that individuals are encouraged to participate in charity? What makes it decent to be truthful, even when it could be costly to one's self? What makes it right that laws be observed and administered to all without respect of economic standing or public status?
In the last few years, the role of protests, violence and activism have driven many of today's societal "norms."
Doubt that statement?
* Despite hard data that repeatedly demonstrate the disproportionate harm to the unemployed and poorer Americans by cheap labor available due to lack of legal immigration enforcement, organized protests have created a new normal: legal employment for illegal immigrants.
* A February 2016 list was published naming "The 20 Great Value Colleges with Safe Spaces" for students demanding protection from free speech, not just liberally sanctioned speech.
* Despite the vivid proof of life in the womb through technological imaging, activism has successfully continued abortion - the voluntary procedure to terminate the life of a child in the womb during pregnancy.
* Despite record numbers of minorities' lives lost due to black-on-black violence, the fury about such loss is almost nonexistent; instead, violence toward law enforcement, even assassinations, is occurring.
If our approach to "values" is rather base, driven by popularity and mass appeal, our culture will continue its decline. If we live grounded in certain laws and truths that transcend time, our better days remain ahead.
Robin Smith, a former chairwoman of the Tennessee Republican Party, is owner of Rivers Edge Alliance.