Where are we headed

[Guest]

I guess I'm pessimistic about society at large. I think we were lost a long time ago. But like applepansy said, I can work within my influence. Hopefully I can save myself and help those around me. Then, if Heavenly Father asks if there are enough righteous people left, I would hope that I would be among them, and that there would be enough of us.

[skalenfehl]

I am wondering if others are seeing inner conflict with the idea that our society is getting worse and that it is all in spite of the fact that we may think personally something we can do would make anything better? I am beginning to think my contributions - though important perhaps to my personal development - really do not contribute anything meaningful - meaning will change any outcome?

If others are not benefiting - are we wasting our time and energy trying to set an example (a voice of reason) to make a difference? Or perhaps like the boy throwing star fish back in the ocean - at least it makes a difference with the shrinking minority that by what ever example maintains respect for values and morals?

The Traveler

Did Zenos waste his time? Jeremiah? Did Lehi waste his time? Ether? Abinadi? Samuel the Lamanite? Moroni? What if they all felt the same way and decided not to make the contributions they did?

[Guest Godless]

As a secularist, I can't honestly say that I believe our country to be in moral decline. There are certainly changes in moral attitudes that have taken place in recent decades, but I don't believe that that's either good or bad. More than anything, I think it's the result of a shifting attitude towards religion, and I don't see that as a bad thing. I can see how people of faith would be alarmed, however. I think it's important get to know the people we associate with on a daily basis, and even some of the people we don't. Far too many people are judged by their behaviors and physical appearance rather than their character. You'd be surprised by how many "immoral" people in our society are nonetheless very good people at their core.

Culturally/Politically, I think many of our struggles stem from the decline in educational standards in this country. We're slowly becoming one of the dumbest nations in the developed world, yet we're more concerned with giving guns to our teachers rather than higher salaries and effective curriculum tools. If we build a smarter society, I think some of the other problems with our society will start to reverse course.

There are other areas where I think we are drastically falling behind on a global scale *cough*health care*cough* but I'll leave that Pandora's Box closed for now.

Is there anything I can do to make the world a better place? Not really. I'm just a tiny prawn in a really friggin' big ocean. I think the most important thing is that I make a difference in the lives of the people I love. If I'm able to reach out to a few strangers along the way, even better. The big picture won't be affected by the things I do, but maybe I can cause some ripples on a smaller scale. That's really all I can hope for.

Edited February 6, 2013 by Godless

[Guest]

How do you separate behavior and character?

[Guest Godless]

How do you separate behavior and character?

I view behavior as the things that I notice first about a person. This guy is a smoker. That guy over there tells everyone to "have a blessed day". The woman that just walked past me reeked of marijuana and tequila. And here's a teen who's buried in a book about quantum physics.

There are instant assumptions that we can make about these people, but do we truly know them? Are they fundamentally good or bad people? There's no way to know until we take the time to get to know them and get a glimpse of their true character. Pothead lady might be a decorated war vet who's struggling with PTSD and just needs a supportive friend to get her back on track. The physics geek might also be a womanizer who treats girls like possessions rather than people. Or they could both be exactly what they appear to be. There's no way of knowing at first glance.

I've done things in the past that I'm not entirely proud of. I'm sure I still come off as a bit crass to some people. What people don't always see is a loving husband (unless my wife is with me) and proud father-to-be who wants nothing more than to bring happiness to his family. I'm far from perfect, especially from a religious perspective, but I truly believe that I'm a good person and I think the people who have taken the time to get to know me would agree.

The biblical figure of Jesus spent much of his time with people whom society labeled as sinners, because he saw the potential for good in them. He knew that they weren't defined by their behavior, but by their character. Even as a non-Christian, I try to have that same attitude towards people, admittedly with varying degrees of success. I guess what I'm trying to say is that that book of yours has a few good pointers in it.

[Guest Godless]

Just saw a brilliant rant from Jeff Daniels' character in the new show The Newsroom that perfectly illustrates the things that are hampering us as a nation. I won't post a link because it contains profanity, but it should be pretty easy to find on the Google machine.

[ZionsRodeVos]

As a country - do you believe the USA is declining - politically, morally and as a country that is an example to other nations? If so - do you believe you personally can contribute anything to help turn things around? If you think you have something to offer, what can you do? If not, why?

The Traveler

I believe we are definitely declining politically and morally. And if those measures contribute to how we are doing as a country then our country is also declining. However, at this point the economy seems to be turning around (even though it is at a slow pace) and the power of the US still appears to be unmatched.

I am wondering if others are seeing inner conflict with the idea that our society is getting worse and that it is all in spite of the fact that we may think personally something we can do would make anything better? I am beginning to think my contributions - though important perhaps to my personal development - really do not contribute anything meaningful - meaning will change any outcome?

If others are not benefiting - are we wasting our time and energy trying to set an example (a voice of reason) to make a difference? Or perhaps like the boy throwing star fish back in the ocean - at least it makes a difference with the shrinking minority that by what ever example maintains respect for values and morals?

The Traveler

The politicians currently in the congress seem unable to cooperate enough to handle things that are important until the last moment if at all. This kind of inner conflict will contribute to more problems.

I still have not lost hope that I do make positive contributions in spite of how I am. I've never been the type of person to go and talk to strangers about the gospel except while on my mission but I do know that people notice the example I set as I do my best to live the gospel.

Even if what I do does not fundamentally start/make a change that is noticed throughout the US, I know that the teaching I do in church makes a difference in the lives of my students. I know they feel the spirit confirming the gospel as I teach what Jesus wants them to hear. This makes it worth it to me and I know that it will have a positive influence on the rising generation (I teach the 14 and 15 year old boys at church). Even more so should I be the instrument through which the Lord works to help them gain a testimony so unshakable that they live the gospel for the rest of their lives. In this way I do make a difference.

[Traveler]

I view behavior as the things that I notice first about a person. This guy is a smoker. That guy over there tells everyone to "have a blessed day". The woman that just walked past me reeked of marijuana and tequila. And here's a teen who's buried in a book about quantum physics.

There are instant assumptions that we can make about these people, but do we truly know them? Are they fundamentally good or bad people? There's no way to know until we take the time to get to know them and get a glimpse of their true character. Pothead lady might be a decorated war vet who's struggling with PTSD and just needs a supportive friend to get her back on track. The physics geek might also be a womanizer who treats girls like possessions rather than people. Or they could both be exactly what they appear to be. There's no way of knowing at first glance.

I've done things in the past that I'm not entirely proud of. I'm sure I still come off as a bit crass to some people. What people don't always see is a loving husband (unless my wife is with me) and proud father-to-be who wants nothing more than to bring happiness to his family. I'm far from perfect, especially from a religious perspective, but I truly believe that I'm a good person and I think the people who have taken the time to get to know me would agree.

The biblical figure of Jesus spent much of his time with people whom society labeled as sinners, because he saw the potential for good in them. He knew that they weren't defined by their behavior, but by their character. Even as a non-Christian, I try to have that same attitude towards people, admittedly with varying degrees of success. I guess what I'm trying to say is that that book of yours has a few good pointers in it.

Interesting - my father use to tell me - that we will see a person best by observing what they do when they do not have to do anything and they think no one is watching. In general it has been my observation that if a person does foolish things when they know others are watching - they seldom (never - unless they are deliberately trying to be deceptive which in itself is not "good" character) will exercise superior character in private.

I believe people display for others mostly what they want them to see. There is usually some small exception - but what in anyone good character displays publicly something they are not?

The Traveler