I'm going to take a wild stab at connecting your... well, it's not really a question is it?... back to what I've written. What I've done here is make a parallel between a classic and easily recognized part of The Church that thousands of movies, books, songs, and stories have portrayed as something unpleasant about Church life and a reason that millions have moved away from it such that The Church is not so much an influence on life as it once was.
However, I'd like to distinguish this clearly from what I'll call Christian Values.
It's one of the great ironies of modern life that all those same millions who would swear atheism, or profess to some other belief system or god - people who've never been to church or cracked the spine of a bible - would heartily agree almost note for note with almost all of what were once called christian values.
Here's a list of traditional Christian values that, despite varying religious backgrounds, most people today might still agree with or support on a broad, moral level:
Love and Compassion for Others
The principle of treating others with kindness and empathy.
"Love your neighbor as yourself."
Honesty and Integrity
Being truthful and maintaining strong moral principles.
"Do not bear false witness."
Charity and Helping Those in Need
Supporting the less fortunate through generosity and service.
"Give to the poor."
Forgiveness and Reconciliation
The idea of letting go of grudges and seeking peace with others.
"Forgive, and you will be forgiven."
Humility
Practicing modesty and acknowledging one’s limitations or faults.
"Blessed are the meek."
Respect for Life and Dignity of Every Person
Upholding the intrinsic worth of every individual.
"All are made in the image of God."
Faithfulness and Loyalty
Being trustworthy and devoted in relationships, particularly in family life.
"Honor your father and mother."
Justice and Fairness
The pursuit of equity and doing what is right by others.
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
Personal Responsibility and Accountability
Taking ownership of one’s actions and striving to improve oneself.
"Each will give an account of himself to God."
Peace and Nonviolence
Encouraging peaceful resolutions and avoiding harm to others.
"Blessed are the peacemakers."
I'm not saying these are copyright, patented Christian Values. I'm just saying like so many things, we've kind of thrown out the good with the bad. These values have roots in Christian teachings but are universally applicable and largely embraced across cultures and belief systems.
Except that they weren’t universally accepted values before the Christian Church made them so, and, except for “justice and fairness” they haven’t lasted since the “bad” (whatever that was) was thrown out
Not trying to pick a fight, and I think you do share these values. I think you’re just overstating how universal they are and are maybe too sanguine about how they can be preserved in a Godless world
Yes! I have been accused of being filled with wild activist optimism. I think it's a mental defect. It's hard wired right in there. My conscience just won't release me from the notion. I just can't shake the feeling that there's good times coming. Whether I live to see the day... I don't know.
This all sounds like a big reaction to something you recently saw? Usually you give a lot of examples in your very thoughtful and well considered essays.
I be very curious to know if there is a specific film or TV show that pushed you over the edge to write this? I tried to watch that Yellowstone series and I really enjoyed some of the characters and the landscapes of course because I love the west. But the ideological slant from The Writer's room was so obvious in a lot of the dialogue. It just became tedious and Bland to watch.
I'm on board with what you're saying in that there's a very self-righteous takeover of the Art Space that has happened by a sermonizing cohort, these days.
But I do believe pop culture has always had an element of social commentary and politics and indeed ideology in it. It was never purely about Escape. From Michelangelo to the Sex Pistols...
Anyway, thanks for writing. And holy crap you're prolific!
Agreed. All lines are curves. Mixing a little pop and politics was once an exciting concoction.
Now, it's past the point of diminishing returns and, like eating way too much cake even though we like it, is going from bad for our health to life threatening for the system.
The inciting incident was a full dose of CBC top brass ideology with a chaser of CMF. I describe it in the note.
I started this substack as a place I could write long because I have a lot of ideas to get out and I don't have time to be brief. I understand for sure it's not for everyone. And I know I'm a bit much too.
So I sure appreciate you reading and taking the time to comment.
JW, with affection, is the “strict moral code” of don’t cheat on your wife, don’t steal, don’t murder, don’t covet so onerous?
I'm going to take a wild stab at connecting your... well, it's not really a question is it?... back to what I've written. What I've done here is make a parallel between a classic and easily recognized part of The Church that thousands of movies, books, songs, and stories have portrayed as something unpleasant about Church life and a reason that millions have moved away from it such that The Church is not so much an influence on life as it once was.
However, I'd like to distinguish this clearly from what I'll call Christian Values.
It's one of the great ironies of modern life that all those same millions who would swear atheism, or profess to some other belief system or god - people who've never been to church or cracked the spine of a bible - would heartily agree almost note for note with almost all of what were once called christian values.
Here's a list of traditional Christian values that, despite varying religious backgrounds, most people today might still agree with or support on a broad, moral level:
Love and Compassion for Others
The principle of treating others with kindness and empathy.
"Love your neighbor as yourself."
Honesty and Integrity
Being truthful and maintaining strong moral principles.
"Do not bear false witness."
Charity and Helping Those in Need
Supporting the less fortunate through generosity and service.
"Give to the poor."
Forgiveness and Reconciliation
The idea of letting go of grudges and seeking peace with others.
"Forgive, and you will be forgiven."
Humility
Practicing modesty and acknowledging one’s limitations or faults.
"Blessed are the meek."
Respect for Life and Dignity of Every Person
Upholding the intrinsic worth of every individual.
"All are made in the image of God."
Faithfulness and Loyalty
Being trustworthy and devoted in relationships, particularly in family life.
"Honor your father and mother."
Justice and Fairness
The pursuit of equity and doing what is right by others.
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
Personal Responsibility and Accountability
Taking ownership of one’s actions and striving to improve oneself.
"Each will give an account of himself to God."
Peace and Nonviolence
Encouraging peaceful resolutions and avoiding harm to others.
"Blessed are the peacemakers."
I'm not saying these are copyright, patented Christian Values. I'm just saying like so many things, we've kind of thrown out the good with the bad. These values have roots in Christian teachings but are universally applicable and largely embraced across cultures and belief systems.
Except that they weren’t universally accepted values before the Christian Church made them so, and, except for “justice and fairness” they haven’t lasted since the “bad” (whatever that was) was thrown out
Not trying to pick a fight, and I think you do share these values. I think you’re just overstating how universal they are and are maybe too sanguine about how they can be preserved in a Godless world
God bless and keep you sir, and may you be proven right
Yes! I have been accused of being filled with wild activist optimism. I think it's a mental defect. It's hard wired right in there. My conscience just won't release me from the notion. I just can't shake the feeling that there's good times coming. Whether I live to see the day... I don't know.
This all sounds like a big reaction to something you recently saw? Usually you give a lot of examples in your very thoughtful and well considered essays.
I be very curious to know if there is a specific film or TV show that pushed you over the edge to write this? I tried to watch that Yellowstone series and I really enjoyed some of the characters and the landscapes of course because I love the west. But the ideological slant from The Writer's room was so obvious in a lot of the dialogue. It just became tedious and Bland to watch.
I'm on board with what you're saying in that there's a very self-righteous takeover of the Art Space that has happened by a sermonizing cohort, these days.
But I do believe pop culture has always had an element of social commentary and politics and indeed ideology in it. It was never purely about Escape. From Michelangelo to the Sex Pistols...
Anyway, thanks for writing. And holy crap you're prolific!
Agreed. All lines are curves. Mixing a little pop and politics was once an exciting concoction.
Now, it's past the point of diminishing returns and, like eating way too much cake even though we like it, is going from bad for our health to life threatening for the system.
The inciting incident was a full dose of CBC top brass ideology with a chaser of CMF. I describe it in the note.
I started this substack as a place I could write long because I have a lot of ideas to get out and I don't have time to be brief. I understand for sure it's not for everyone. And I know I'm a bit much too.
So I sure appreciate you reading and taking the time to comment.
kindly,
John Wesley