The Journey begins...
There are 6,563,220,367 of us residing in this world according to census. gov at the present time. Because of this vast number, I am convinced there are more than a couple of opinions that would answer the question posed by the title of this blog. My interest is not to only highlight what is wrong with the world by posting news stories, facts of daily life, commentaries by influential authors, and other opinions, but to have dialogue with others on possible cures for these findings that most would consider ailments.
The idea for posting something like this came to me as I was reading an article posted to wikipedia.com about G.K. Chesterton. Chesterton was a writer of enormous talent. He crafted such works as Heretics, Orthodoxy, and The Everlasting Man, just to mention a few. The Times, a national publication in the United Kingdom since 1785, requested that Chesterton and a few other important authors write essays in response to the question, "What's Wrong with the World?" Chesterton wrote his response in the form of a letter. It said:
Dear Sirs,
I am.
Sincerely Yours,
G.K. Chesterton
His response although brief touched on deep issues of depravity experienced by mankind. Through his self-deprication, he alerted the readers of the paper and many others to the thought that the real problem with the world could and probably does begin within us all.
Food for thought:
Matthew 7:5 in the English Standard Version Bible states, "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. "
Confucius stated, “To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.”
posted by IndyRider at
8:31 AM
7 Comments:
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Heather C., at 8:53 PM
First, thanks to Nick for respecting my opinion enough to extend this invitation to me. Of course, I’m assuming you sent it to me for that reason, although your true intention might have been a good laugh. I guess it could also just be the fact that you know I have an opinion on everything. Well, no matter the reason, thank you!
I decided to meet your challenge to post an answer by the end of the week, by posting by the end of the day.
The quote from Chesterton, lead me to think about something I heard in an education class more than a decade ago. The professor said something about it being detrimental to a young person’s fragile ego to feel shame, that in the future that shame would cause irreparable damage. At that point, I didn’t question my professor, thinking she was older and wiser. As time has gone on, and I’ve had the opportunity to work with a variety of youngsters, I take issue with this statement.
What’s wrong with feeling shame? Shouldn’t an individual feel ashamed when he’s made a poor choice, especially if he knew it was wrong to begin with? Of course, there is a point at which shame does become detrimental, but what’s the motivation to learn from one’s mistakes? I know there have been many times in my life that shame and the memory of that shame has been a driving factor in my learning process. Those things I’ve done that caused that feeling are things I’ve not repeated. Shame also causes humility. I know I’ve made way more than my share of mistakes. I don’t expect to feel good about them. I should feel badly so that I don’t do it again. Then I find myself humbled and realize I don’t know everything. Those are the times that I seek out advice from others. In the end, those are the times I grow the most. I become a better wife, a better mother, a better teacher, and a better human being.
With the loss of shame, too many people feel that mistakes aren’t a big deal and continue to make them. They don’t treat others with respect and compassion and they don’t learn. They, in turn, pass on these values (or lack thereof) to their children. We should all realize that with any situation, at least part of the problem lies within ourselves. If we don’t attempt to fix that over which we do have control, how can we expect anyone else to act differently?
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Anonymous, at 8:53 PM
Thanks to Heather for stepping up to the challenge. I knew that she would.
I appreciate your thoughts. A high school teacher of mine once said, "Every sin is like cosmic treason in the eyes of a Holy God." God's holiness is not something we have much understanding of in our broken and fragmented state. The shame that you speak of is a byproduct of our incomplete nature when compared to the standard to which we hold ourself. A goal should be to direct those that we influence/teach to find and adhere to the highest standard possible even though it could, at first, bring more internal shame. When anyone has experienced this level of brokeness, they will finally be able to be reborn/rebuilt for a higher purpose, and at this point we can take joy in the holiness of God, even though we might not fully be able to comprehend it.
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Anonymous, at 6:34 AM
How exciting to be invited to read your blog, but I must say, I’m not one for philosophizing. I completed 12 excruciating hours of it in college, and after debating an Argentinean professor on whether an ‘apple is really an apple or do we just think it is an apple’ I have vowed to stay far far away from it. Although, on another topic of my philosophy classes, “What is happiness”, I must say (without trying to sound like a greeting card or a sap) that happiness is being a parent. It is by far the most amazing thing I have ever experienced.
So being a parent is very important to me, and I wish everybody took it seriously because that is one of the things that is wrong with the world. Heather talks about shame, and allowing children to feel it, to know what is right and wrong, is important. Of course we have to protect our children’s egos, but not the extreme of letting them think everything they do is right.
My grandmother tried to tell me that I shouldn’t tell Alex “No”. She does this thing where she just says ‘tsk, tsk’ and shakes her hand. Well, Alex knows the word “No”. She hears it often, but it is countered with yes yeses as well. I guess I believe that one of the problems with the world is that too many parents are doing either all yeses with their children (allowing the child to believe that everything they do is ok) or all no’s (never allowing them to explore and discover). I’m by no means a perfect parent and I have and will make mistakes, but the world could be changed with changes at home.
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Anonymous, at 11:21 AM
Ali, thank you for joining the discussion. The perspective and the convictions of the parent are things that are always needed.
As for the future, we don't have to be too philosphical with our discussions. I am excited that people want to be a part of this group for the learning/teaching that can take place. Our subject will be as broad as they need to be, and everyone will be the expert at a different time. The more diverse our group can be, the more we will learn from our discussions. Thanks again for posting.
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Anonymous, at 12:10 PM
Ali, before our Alex was born, I remember Scott and I saying we'd do everything possible not to tell her no. We'd try to make evyerthing positive, and let her explore. I laugh now when I look back on those comments. So naive. We quickly came to realize (especially with such a strong willed child) that there were going to have to be some no's balanced with some yes's.
A couple of weeks ago, we met with parents of two different children. Both of them were so negative about their children and constantly talking about how they punish in this way and that. When Fran or Sandi brought up spending time with the child, they acted like it was a foreign concept. The one child is clearly acting out for attention. His father seemed baffled by the thought of spending time with his son just to spend time with him. He felt like time with him should be a reward. I was floored. I think the only thing this child ever feels when his father is concerned is shame. I left the meeting nearly in tears. You're right. We do have to protect them to a certain extent, but any mistakes they may make that won't forever damage them are great learning experiences. It was so alarming to realize this father had yet to figure it out.
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Heather C., at 8:46 PM
Good Day All,
Interesting topics today! The first quote as to the problem with the world lies with in me; did Michael Jackson read that before he sang “Man in the mirror”? Just a thought I ponder out loud.
Shame, like so much in our world, can be both growth inspiring and detrimental. It escapes me at the moment, but I have read an author who used different terms to describe the different levels of shame.
The worse and most destructive level of shame keeps individuals beaten down and hollow inside. These intense feelings of shame breed hopelessness, low-self-esteem and fear. It can lead an individual to a life of darkness. I see this everyday at the treatment center and in my Youth at church. This type of shame keeps them from knowing God. (Didn’t Jesus talk to the pharasies about this?) This type of shame leads people to a life with an attitude of “Why try and better my self? I am not worth it or I’m not good enough to do it.” It is the shame a sinner feels as they walk into a church and chooses not to stay, because they do not feel good enough to stay.
It may have been the shame Peter felt when he fell to Jesus’ feet in the boat. Yet with love and attention from his Savior, Peter grew and became a great Church Leader. What was the difference? Forgiveness.
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Anonymous, at 11:04 AM
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