Website owner: James Miller
The Moslem countries are very hard on crime, punishing things
like stealing and adultery with punishments like cutting off
fingers or hands or execution. In our society punishments are
light, with no punishment at all for adultery and immorality.
Isn't the way a society punishes crime (the severity with which
it punishes it) a direct indicator of that country's basic
morality?
What type of punishment should there be for stealing? Or
murder? Or adultery? When we answer these questions don't we
try to pick a punishment to suit the crime? Don't we try to
pick a fair and equitable punishment that we feel is fitted to
the crime? And is not the punishment we pick simply a
reflection of the gravity with which we view the crime? Will
not the answer to this question vary with the individual
answering it according to his moral feelings and outlooks? If
we prescribe a light punishment or no punishment for a crime
what does it mean? Doesn't it say something about the
seriousness with which we regard the crime? Our answer is a
value judgment that depends on our values. If we prescribe no
punishment for immorality what does that say about our attitude
about immorality? What does that say about our own morality?
What is the measure of a person's morality? Isn't it the
seriousness with which he regards immorality? If he regards
adultery as a trivial thing, is he not immoral? Isn't the
gravity with which he regards immorality the very best, most
accurate, indicator of his own moral character? If a society
as a whole views crime and immorality lightly is that not the
most accurate indicator of its own moral character? To take
immorality lightly, to condone it, to punish it little or not
at all, is a distinguishing mark of the immoral, corrupt,
degenerate society.
Oct 1981
More from SolitaryRoad.com:
Jesus Christ and His Teachings
Way of enlightenment, wisdom, and understanding
America, a corrupt, depraved, shameless country
On integrity and the lack of it
The test of a person's Christianity is what he is
Ninety five percent of the problems that most people have come from personal foolishness
Liberalism, socialism and the modern welfare state
The desire to harm, a motivation for conduct
On Self-sufficient Country Living, Homesteading
Topically Arranged Proverbs, Precepts, Quotations. Common Sayings. Poor Richard's Almanac.
Theory on the Formation of Character
People are like radio tuners --- they pick out and listen to one wavelength and ignore the rest
Cause of Character Traits --- According to Aristotle
We are what we eat --- living under the discipline of a diet
Avoiding problems and trouble in life
Role of habit in formation of character
Personal attributes of the true Christian
What determines a person's character?
Love of God and love of virtue are closely united
Intellectual disparities among people and the power in good habits
Tools of Satan. Tactics and Tricks used by the Devil.
The Natural Way -- The Unnatural Way
Wisdom, Reason and Virtue are closely related
Knowledge is one thing, wisdom is another
My views on Christianity in America
The most important thing in life is understanding
We are all examples --- for good or for bad
Television --- spiritual poison
The Prime Mover that decides "What We Are"
Where do our outlooks, attitudes and values come from?
Sin is serious business. The punishment for it is real. Hell is real.
Self-imposed discipline and regimentation
Achieving happiness in life --- a matter of the right strategies
Self-control, self-restraint, self-discipline basic to so much in life