Saturday, February 7, 2009

Do you cheat?

I thought it was interesting that, in the last Wired blog I read those who had a propensity to cheat did not when they took a test after they read the Ten Commandments.

It's a really fascinating post. It seems to suggest that when we consider moral standards or scripture we tend to behave more according to our innate inner understanding of what is right or wrong.

When we move away from contemplating moral standards we have a greater temptation to cheat or act for our own selfish gain - that we seem more removed from living according to our own moral compass.

The bible contains themes where God reminds the Israelites in the desert that He is the one who brought them out of Egypt - or phrases like "when your children ask you tell them it was because..." - or "as a memorial to" - or "...do this in remembrance of me." - seems like he knew the fragility of the human condition...

Perhaps this is why some Spirit-filled followers of Jesus (I'm not talking about self-righteous bible-bashers who are quick to spout scripture verses but rather those who humbly but firmly walk out their convictions) get so up the noses of some (not all I hasten to add) non-followers, even someone refusing to follow the norm and doing something different can cause dirision.

The Wired Blog asks the question: "So the issue is, how in society we can get people to contemplate morality more when it matters?"

Any thoughts?

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