Some of the most “devout” christians are the self-same republicans who are cutting off food and aid to school children and senior citizens. Devout on Sunday, Criminal on Monday.
Not sure the needles would have ended up in the same place, but there’s no doubt in my mind that our feelings on morality, religion, judgment/values, etc morph and change as we get older, as our capacity to feel true empathy for others increases and our awareness of our own self-importance decreases. I’m just saying that generationally these numbers will – and should – move – for I think our perceptions on such matters morphs as we do.
I definitely don’t believe in a god, but I feel very strongly about morality and good values. I think there are a lot of us out there. I don’t condemn others for their beliefs, but I have noticed that over thousands of years more people have been killed in the name of religion than any other issue, and it’s not over yet.
interesting….touchy subject since its impossible to decide what will be politically correct next week…so most choose to say nothing I think….
I saw the other-side…. and came back….and the journey continues…
good post…
Take care…
)0(
ladyblue
David, I am a bit shocked by the many cliche’s left as comments. (Republicans starving children?…please, give me a break). First, going to church does not mean that someone believes in God, or at least that they have any kind of profound relationship with their God. I think that a large number of people go to church for the social components and to be able to say to themselves, “I go to church, therefore I am a good person”…it is just one hour and they forget about it for the other 167 hours of the week. The survey may also indicate how poorly we have formed our children to where they do not see any correlation between living a life based on Godly principles vs living a life based moral relativism and doing whatever feels good. Too many teachers and parents told them it did not matter…”2+2 can equal 5, as long as you try and feel good about yourself”
I’m a 53 year old white guy who, recently sold two businesses, but still works 60-70 hours/week and goes to church. My Catholic faith helps guide my life and my decisions. I am old enough to look past the human imperfections of others and to not use their failings as an excuse to accept mine. I also believe in the existence of right and wrong…not everything being a subjective shade (one of 50?) of gray. And by the way….I don’t hate anyone.
Thanks for sharing Ray. I’m still finding my way. When I crossed 50, many of these questions (and answers) you pose become quickly relevant. I have a lot of work to do, on many fronts.
As you see the survey charts reduce the amount in the belief in God and values so goes the moral decay of our country. You could also relate the same to the statistics in crime, poverty and/or dependency on government for the support of our children. God bless and save our country.
I tend to agree with you although many atrocities have been performed in the name of God and under God’s roof (aka churches). Therein lies some of the hypocrisy that many feel. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Live & Learn 
I don’t.
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Period.
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I’m one of those 38 %. Some of the worst people proclaim a belief in God and even brag about how they go to church on a regular basis.
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And no, I am not in the 18 to 29 age group.
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No chance. No chance you are more than 29.
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You are a charming man, David.
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🙂
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You don’t really want me to say something about this…do you? No, you don’t. I think I will just read everyone else’s comments this time.
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After your “Creepy Lady” commentary on my last post, it might be just as well that you don’t fully pollute my Sunday posts.
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🙂
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Reblogged this on Wholeheartedness and commented:
Hmmm…
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I figured for sure we’d get some editorial commentary. 🙂 Thanks for sharing Todd.
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Yeah. Mine was pretty deep… 🙂
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Certainly was.
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ooooh – dicey – best keep my comments to myself …
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I know where you land here.
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My Aunt and I were just discussing this yesterday how your values and belief in God correlate’s or the progress on “wonder” years (older and wiser :P)
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🙂 Recall a quote from Hemingway: “No, that is the great fallacy: the wisdom of old men. They do not grow wise. They grow careful.”
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Once bitten, twice shy 😛
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Some of the most “devout” christians are the self-same republicans who are cutting off food and aid to school children and senior citizens. Devout on Sunday, Criminal on Monday.
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Bad characters on both sides of the fence, I’m afraid.
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Are these stats really surprising? Our views change and morph as we age and experience more, feel deeply and understand less.
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Hmmmm. Not so sure I’m with you. If you took this poll 30-40 years ago, you think it would have landed in the same place for the sub 30 year olds?
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Not sure the needles would have ended up in the same place, but there’s no doubt in my mind that our feelings on morality, religion, judgment/values, etc morph and change as we get older, as our capacity to feel true empathy for others increases and our awareness of our own self-importance decreases. I’m just saying that generationally these numbers will – and should – move – for I think our perceptions on such matters morphs as we do.
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Now THAT, I completely agree with.
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Whew…pardon me while I flutter off to get some more coffee.
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Flutter off. Somehow I can see that.
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the closer we get to another journey it seems the more we believe
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Funny how that works…
Here’s an interesting example LouAnn:
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I definitely don’t believe in a god, but I feel very strongly about morality and good values. I think there are a lot of us out there. I don’t condemn others for their beliefs, but I have noticed that over thousands of years more people have been killed in the name of religion than any other issue, and it’s not over yet.
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And I too believe strongly in morality and good values (and family values while we are at it.)
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So we can’t be all bad!
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interesting….touchy subject since its impossible to decide what will be politically correct next week…so most choose to say nothing I think….
I saw the other-side…. and came back….and the journey continues…
good post…
Take care…
)0(
ladyblue
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🙂 Thank you. I hope what you saw on the other side was enlightening!
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Very interesting; not surprising.
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It is Judy.
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David, I am a bit shocked by the many cliche’s left as comments. (Republicans starving children?…please, give me a break). First, going to church does not mean that someone believes in God, or at least that they have any kind of profound relationship with their God. I think that a large number of people go to church for the social components and to be able to say to themselves, “I go to church, therefore I am a good person”…it is just one hour and they forget about it for the other 167 hours of the week. The survey may also indicate how poorly we have formed our children to where they do not see any correlation between living a life based on Godly principles vs living a life based moral relativism and doing whatever feels good. Too many teachers and parents told them it did not matter…”2+2 can equal 5, as long as you try and feel good about yourself”
I’m a 53 year old white guy who, recently sold two businesses, but still works 60-70 hours/week and goes to church. My Catholic faith helps guide my life and my decisions. I am old enough to look past the human imperfections of others and to not use their failings as an excuse to accept mine. I also believe in the existence of right and wrong…not everything being a subjective shade (one of 50?) of gray. And by the way….I don’t hate anyone.
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Thanks for sharing Ray. I’m still finding my way. When I crossed 50, many of these questions (and answers) you pose become quickly relevant. I have a lot of work to do, on many fronts.
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David,
I do think you invited all the caricatures to show up today. Alas, morality heeds no boundaries.
Peace to you!
Debra
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🙂 There it is. Morality does heed no boundaries. Let’s take that to the bank Debra.
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Not an American so I will stay quiet but bit shocked with the survey results.
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Really (shocked)? I wasn’t surprised in the slightest.
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We had a discussion about this and similar content at our UU fellowship a few weeks back. Morality is being found elsewhere.
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“Morality is being found elsewhere” would make for a long discussion and very long essay in today’s times….
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With age I can see the need for God increases substantially. People need no religion to set their own rules.
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That’s true Alex.
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God, morality and good values are subjective terms. Seems like many immoral acts and questionable values are done/exhibited in the name of a god.
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Unfortunately you are right…
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As you see the survey charts reduce the amount in the belief in God and values so goes the moral decay of our country. You could also relate the same to the statistics in crime, poverty and/or dependency on government for the support of our children. God bless and save our country.
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I tend to agree with you although many atrocities have been performed in the name of God and under God’s roof (aka churches). Therein lies some of the hypocrisy that many feel. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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