Tuesday July 1, 2008, 3:06 am
We've all been there - taking the easy road and letting others do the work, doing something that our gut tells us is dishonorable but the pull of expediency helps us rationalize the action. Apparently engaging the brain in an unrelated activity while making the tough choices helps us focus on the truly moral.

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 3:33 am
Most of us do what is in our best interest - but not always (like drinking; gambling; sex-addiction) - even if someone else is going to suffer for it. Unfortuntely, there are very few opportunities to learn what is moral and right today. G-d was taken out of the classroom; parents have basically abdicated their role; and we currently live in a 'relativistic' society. There are no standards anymore.

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 3:53 am
Thanks Cate!

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 4:15 am
moral integrity is something people used to be quite proud of..."my word is my bond" and other such sayings from days gone by are evidence of that... but, now people are more concerned with "he who dies with the most stuff wins" and it seems moral integrity has become a thing of the past... *deep sigh*... thanks cate, noted...:(

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 4:20 am
he who dies with the most stuff wins...LOL Guess I will lose then..LOL

Thanks Cate...

Big Gorilly HUgs

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 6:24 am
Noted. This is a BIG concern of mine!

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 7:00 am
Oh how true...if only we could be as moralistic as our conscience dictates we should be!!! Thanx Cate

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 7:22 am
Thanks for this article Cate.

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 7:27 am

I am surprised. TY

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 8:03 am
Noted and thanks Cate !
I don't think lack of morals has anything to do with not having prayer time in schools .
We are taught morals in our homes from our parents/caretakers,,or at least we should be ! Schools and churches should not be held responsible for raising our children with morals parents should be !

I have seen a whole lot of hypocracy in supporters of all the candidates in this election who dismiss the conduct of their own candidate while taking to task their candidates opponent for similar or even lesser bad behavior.I saw myself excuse behavior because I felt the other side was doing even worse !
I have found myself most recently not in approval of the way my candidate voted on a bill that I felt very strong about and I am pondering what I should do about that since the only other candidate would most certainly cause more distruction to our country on top of what the Bush administration already caused if he should win the election and voting a third party candidate would most certainly be a vote for McCain which I am not willing to do and not voting could also have the same effect .

Sadly I think politic's is a dishonest state of affairs and this is our choice of government unless we change it ourselves because they certainly aren't going to change for us !

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 8:55 am

Thanks for this, Cate.

It's a question I ponder quite a bit, as hypocrisy, excuses and blaming others are pet peeves of mine.

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 10:20 am

We're all born selfish. As children, we are usually encouraged to share our toys or perhaps a snack. Praise translates into good feelings and as long as we're praised for future sharing endeavors, we usually continue with ever growing sharing. Interestingly, that in itself is a selfish act though we may not be aware of it. Even subconsciously, we're looking for that good feeling.

Perhaps, as children, most politicians weren't given enough praise for sharing.

Thank you Cate.

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 10:33 am
Thanks Cate.

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 12:28 pm
Thank you for this post Cate.

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 1:05 pm
I agree it has nothing to do with prayer time in school..and or even our parents..We aways want to blame our short-comings on something or someone..The truth is we do know what is right or wrong in our hearts..and we always have the choice to choose for ourselves which way we go with it..
Thanks Cate..Great article..
Noted..

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 2:35 pm
The last person was hypocrite was Clinton, and he managed to lose the election for Gore. For the record, a man who commits murder of over a million innocent people, lies to get a nation into two illegal wars, deprives citizens of basic rights through NAZI techniques and supports Fascism every chance he gets is not a hypocrite, he's the anti-Christ!

When I think of Jimmy Carter, hypocrite does not come to mind, nor Gerald Ford, Douglas Wilder or Bob Dole.

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 3:37 pm
Focus Not on our faults or weaknesses. We ALL know them. Each must accept their own faults and forgive themselves, to advance further in Truth and Knowledge in their journey, of this lifetime.

Focus On our Strengths as "A United form of Humanity." Inform with LOVE and Light in a relative world full of False-Truths. We all have been programmed by a man-made system, which has been controlled by very greedy beings who seek endless power and wealth. The "worker bees" produced many individuals who are in our governments. This dark force has been at its agenda for decades, and the only way to save mankind is to infuse it with positive energy of a pro-active population moving forward in a peaceful, constructive, and loving progression. We can't produce any type of materialistic weapon, or activism against these governments, that will be successful for us..., IT WILL TAKE A DIVINE INTERVENTION. However, that Divine Intervention is US...., the people. The second-coming is happening within our Hearts, please align them with Mother Earth and Humanity.

The "powers that be", WANT a "working class" that is loyal, obedient, and serves only their agenda and them. They have the technology and science to replace us. However, they think their little spiritual confessings of sins, will save them from their dark deeds, and IT WON'T. They can't hide anything from GOD, and GOD is ALL. Believe, and feel the Christ consciousness call to you from your "higher self", keep Love in your Hearts. Then spread it to those you meet. It is time for the Lights of Humanity to come together and Unite, and Let the Darkness to itself as it continues to manifest.

Remember "who" you really are..., of the Spirit. LOVE will save mankind.
Occam's Razor.

Noted, and thank you Cate.

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 4:08 pm
noted thank you

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 4:40 pm
One of your best choice of posts Cate, and the replies that have been posted so far are from honest/ thinking people, speaking straight honest truths....no spin, no rocket science.....no B/S......thank you all...Ken

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 6:25 pm
I don't blame others when I mess up I will admit it in a heart beat. I'm up front and truthful always have been. To me why lie about anything for sooner or later it going to catch up to you. Bleieve you me I have had to fight my way out of things but ya know what I have come out a lot better and stronger person today. And yeap I have gotten my but beat before but, ya know what I always go back for seconds. Like I say I can take and I do give. So yes I have moreals and I stand behinh them. Thanks Cate

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 6:29 pm
And Dar you are right in what you say too for this I too truly believe. I forgive a lot and I'm also forgiven a lot too. I also know that nothing is hidden from the eyes of God he see's all but most of all he see's the heart, not race, color, or creed.

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 8:08 pm
I have to agree with Dar and Dee C too berg. We make our choices. They may have influence by others but we are the ones who choose to or not to follow values.A quote I remember and sorry can't remember who's goes something like: "No matter what hand you get dealt in life it's up to you on how you play it'.
Thanks for the article Cate

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 9:26 pm
Thanks Cate! I agree with Michael W, we all make choices. We have to live with the choices we make.

Tuesday July 1, 2008, 9:54 pm
Thank you Cate. As usual a very good article.

Wednesday July 2, 2008, 12:45 am

Thanks, Cate. Great post. Those experiments in the article are really enlightening. It explains why people will excuse the inexcusable if a friend does it, and even support it, but would condemn the same thing if others did it.

I wish I could do that thing about giving them a math task to perform and then asking them the same question with somebody I know. ROFL

Wednesday July 2, 2008, 11:53 am
When MONEY becomes our moral compass we all loose.The businesses in our country are under staffing their businesses to make a larger profit.If the hire few enough people they can earn as if they are out sourcing to INDIA. Less workers ,38 hour shifts(no insurance,no vacation,no sick leave)will give you the same results in any business.The workers in this country are nothing to the companies,hence the minimal work being produced.Here at home the 4 hospitals are constantly crying that they cannot get enough qualified workers and so are badly understaffed,the truth is they refuse to pay enough to get skilled people.We have become a very sick nation and it is touching all of us.

Wednesday July 2, 2008, 2:24 pm
Thanks Cate. Yes, I call it "I Love Me Syndrome". People will go to great bounds to stave off guilt, and call it good. Another word is "Two-Faced". Lier..another recently renowned label. Now they do it bold-faced and snicker about it. Sadly, this is what our so-called election process demands, because you have little hope without being a great lier.
When MONEY becomes our moral compass we all loose. GOOD ONE Marjorie!! And we can throw in Power and Fame!

Thursday July 3, 2008, 1:13 am
Cate your response is humbling!:~) As a child I acted as though I took the high road morally, I associated it with my beliefs, and it was all an illusion. I stirred a lot of controversy in my church, by getting a "less moral" boy kicked out of my church for doing inappropriate things to the girls...including myself....but I just have one point to make out of all this story. People equate Morality with Goodness, and I think goodness comes from the heart not necessarily faith. I don't feel I have loose morals in that I want to bring harm to myself or others, but Kindness begets kindness,and I think that is true morality!If that is selfish so be it. My life's ambition is to do things that change the lives of brain tumor patients, I was one myself. I am going on my 17 year anniversary. It is selfish of me that I want to help people like me, because they are like me...and me is the key word....but I want to do something that is kind. I want to help patients to see and a experience a second chance at life, as I have gotten. I have a possible internship in ATlanta and then in Washington Dc, I will know if I have the one in ATlanta on Monday, and the one in Dc in AUgust. I want to put it on my resume, and get college credit for it. I have not asked for a monetary reward, and I don't expect people to applaude me for that....but am I all that bad, because I want to have self fulfilling prophecy of making a difference in a positive way, so that I have given back for what I have gotten? Is it wrong of me, to pick a group of people linked by a condition that I had, and put most of my energy into them. I think that Morality is taking up your cause, and having the heart to help people. Whether that cause be "free hugs" "Anti War protest", or "finding cures and changing laws to help people who are critically ill", and any number of things. I know I am not perfect, but I feel that morality is being good,and I think people who do good get good back, its like Karma.
AM I wrong in thinking that?

Thursday July 3, 2008, 3:28 am
Laura, there is nothing wqrong with focusing on ANY group in need, or ANY group that can be helped by sincere effort...IMHO anyway.

Friday July 4, 2008, 1:36 am
Noted with thanks Cate :) How thought provoking and alarming at the same time. It is a shame that we as a people have been conditioned to "accept" the lesser of two evils and worse, to "overlook" such things as sexual immorality because, after all, that man is a good politician, movie producer, etc.