It seems to me, these days, that loyalty and obedience have flown out the window at all levels in society, often in surprising circumstances.
As a society we seem to be concentrating more and more on our own benefit and less on the effect we have on others. This is demonstrated in social activities, political activities, business behaviour and even by some people who call themselves ministers of religion - people who really ought to know better.
The culture of being responsible to a superior seems to be vanishing. All over the place bosses are vilified and ridiculed behind their backs by those who should owe them some loyalty. But then, perhaps this is just a symptom of a wider malaise...?
The Government certainly doesn't seem to promote any sense of togetherness or loyalty in our culture any more. We're being fractured and torn apart by fear and bitterness. We're encouraged to view each other with suspicion and cynicism seems to know no bounds.
I used to believe that most people prefer to be good to one another. Then I underwent a psychological evaluation (for my seminary application) and it appears that I might have been a bit naive. It now seems to me to be likely that most people are - to a greater or lesser extent - often selfish, back-biting and out for whatever they can get at the expense of whoever gets in their way. Certainly it seems that many people will habitually 'break the rules' if they know they can get away with it and if it will gain them some advantage.
From lifting paperclips and other stationery from work (admit it, you do this don't you? A few sheets of paper won't be missed, you're OWED it aren't you?) to breaking the speed limit (I'm not harming anyone, am I?) to secretly eyeing up the girls at the pub while your wife/girlfriend is elsewhere (I can look if I want, can't I? I'm not touching after all...) most people seem to be losing their sense of honour, and frankly, their willpower seems to be lacking somewhat. It seems a bit of a cliche to harp back to the ‘good old days’ but there really was a time when personal morals were stronger.
Yes, these are often just little things and the effect can be minor, if not non-existent - at least apart from within one’s own mind. But take a look at what is going on out there in the wider world where these lackadaisical attitudes to personal morality have wider consequences...
There is a view that says that the Government of the day panders to its own constituency rather than looking out for the good of the whole country... Why? So that individual people can remain wielding the power that they love so much. Government owes loyalty to ALL the people, not SOME of them.
But where is all this culture of disloyalty coming from? Has society been led into a habit of hedonism by government policies or have authorities lost touch with their responsibilities towards society by virtue of the fact that they're formed from people who were already more or less devoid of, well, much virtue in the first place?
It's a Chicken and Egg situation, isn't it?
Perhaps people can enlighten me?
