Righteousness Is Revealed in Conduct, Not Rhetoric 591.5
It’s hard to look at the world and some of the people who seem to get ahead without occasionally asking ourselves why we should be ethical. However normal it is to think like this, the question should be off limits for people who profess strong religious beliefs. After all, what religion doesn’t mandate morality?
To authentically religious people, the motivation toward virtue is grounded in the acceptance of a nonnegotiable duty to be a good person in the eyes of their God, not in anticipation of personal benefits. Dishonest, irresponsible, or unfair conduct is simply wrong.
Although skeptics may suspect the rhetoric of religious advocates and proselytizers, there’s a positive correlation between religious conviction and virtue. I think the vast majority of deeply religious people draw guidance and strength from their beliefs and live better lives.
Still, religious claims and even sincere convictions are no guarantee of righteousness.
Besides disturbed individuals who believe their deity commands them to perform horrible acts, discredited televangelist preachers like Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart, and priests who molest parishioners, we must also face the fact that people like Ken Lay of Enron, Bernie Ebbers of WorldCom, and John Rigas of Adelphia, masterminds of some of the world’s greatest swindles, were highly vocal and visible about their Christian beliefs.
Whether these wrongdoers were mentally ill, hypocrites, frauds, or sincere believers with personal weaknesses, their stories remind us that we can’t take for granted the link between religious claims and worthy conduct. It’s not that religion fails people; it’s that people fail their religion.
In the end, regardless of its source, righteousness is revealed in ethical and upright conduct, not rhetoric.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
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Comments
Your statement "It's not that religion fails people; it's that people fail their religion" is right on the money! Couldn't be said better!
Thank you!
Posted by: Cindy Kelly | November 7, 2008 8:36 AM
I try to listen to your commentaries every morning to gain a little bit of inspiration as I face another day at work. I seldom feel compelled to write to you in disagreement, but your topic Thursday morning hurt me and made me feel sad. You seemed to insinuate that one needs to be a religious person to have moral values, that people act with integrity only because God tells them to.
I do not belong to any religious groups for reasons that will take too long to discuss here. Yet I consider myself a highly moral person, holding myself to the highest standards of honesty and integrity. I do this not because the Bible or the Koran or any other religious writings tell me to. I do this because it is the right thing to do. Does one really need a religious leader to tell us that lying, cheating, stealing, killing, etc. is wrong? I see a lot more hypocrisy in those who sin all week then think they are forgiven because they go to church at the end of the week, only to resume their sinful lifestyle the following day. Most people not belonging to an organized religious group, some categorizing themselves as atheists, are not a bunch of barbarians leading hedonistic lifestyles. In some ways, I feel our lifestyle is more challenging because we answer to our own conscience rather than out of fear of punishment by God.
Posted by: salinay | November 7, 2008 9:27 AM
Thank you so much for your commentary and your newsletter. These are ideas that everyone must really think about and understand. Your last sentence really points out why the Democratic candidate prevailed over the Republican candidate for the presidency. I know good people who voted for John McCain may disagree, but I believe your essay says it all.
Thank you.
Posted by: Charlotte | November 7, 2008 10:44 AM
I enjoy reading your commentaries each week and find them to be a good reminder of the importance of integrity and character. I hope our current President-elect is introduced to your commentaries so he can learn from your lessons. He is a great orator but has been full of rhetoric to this point. For the sake of this great nation, let's all hope he is able to make good on his promises and put America first, like Senator McCain has demonstrated in the difficult times when character is truly determined.
Posted by: Scott | November 7, 2008 3:57 PM
I recently went to an excellent ethics conference presented by Barbara Coloroso. One key point she made was that religion is neither sufficient nor necessary to raise a moral and ethical child. I agree and I think this is consistent with Michael's commentary. If morality and ethics are the end-goal, adhering to a religious tenet may be one path to get there.
Posted by: Craig Bell | November 10, 2008 7:41 AM
It's sad that Charlotte feels the need to inject her political rhetoric into this particular column. I, too, wish McCain had won, but the fact is he didn't. We should not allow our political spite to poison all areas of everyone else's life -- to do so would be unethical, wouldn't it, Charlotte?
Posted by: John | November 11, 2008 4:43 PM
I have always believed that the true test of someone's character is how they behave when they think no one is looking; not what they do when they know they are being watched.
Posted by: Carla | November 14, 2008 10:33 AM
Grateful that Jacki turned me on to this site.
Peace, etc.
Posted by: Bruce Combs | November 16, 2008 10:23 PM