Matthew 7:12,Jesus said, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” The Golden rule denotes not only mutual respect, but an IMMENSELY and HOLISTIC respect among each human person. In the Hindu-Dharma Philosophy, it is some equated as the Cosmic Principle of Causality, namely: KARMA which states that whatever you do, either good or bad, definitely has good or bad consequences. In the Christian sense, You will reap what you sow.” –Galatians 6:7.
In these challenging times, in the advent of modernity and advancement of technology, morality has deeply and seriously changed, reshaped and redefined by people. Throughout the course of time, it has been tarnished with lots of challenges and oppositions, of praises and statements of support that such will remain to be as it was before. But you see, based on the many observations of Philosophers who belong to numerous schools of thoughts, the truth in this matter remains to be equivocal and certain, that is, you will be challenged and persecuted if you’ll choose to do what is good.
Numerous accounts in history would tell one of its perennial existence. The question now is, what’s the reason for such? Friedrich Nietzsche says that people does not want to accept and hear the truth because they do not want their illusions to be destroyed. I affirm his statement but, I want to add something on his statement. People do not want to accept and hear the truth because it may hit their own personal lives. Let me establish my point by citing some valid, factual and logical examples. When a child sees you, that you, as a parent, or as a matured adult do something which is improper, say for example, eating too much sweets, the child would admonish you and practically he/ she would say that according to you, it is bad to eat too much sweets because it will cause tooth decay, and what is hurtful is, you are the one who told the child. Another example is, when you are telling your child not to stay up late having nonsense watching shows or just chatting with someone else, you, again, will be admonished by the child because you told him/ her not to do such. In this regard, you might ask me, what would be the connection of such in morality?
Jesus said: “You are the ones who justify yourselvesin the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts.What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. ~Luke 16:15. People tend to be uneasy, aloof and even irritated if someone or something bothers them.Well, philosophically and spiritually speaking, it is a good sign since one’s conscience is still working. In other words, like what Socrates said, if someone or something bothers you, then you might call that someone or something as “PAIN IN THE ASS.” Hence, your move is to get rid of them!
With these excerpts, I want to continue my argument with a question: “Why is it, that when you are fighting for what is the truth and what is right, many will persecute you? As an educator, especially as a philosopher, who have had solemnly swore that “I will, in all places, will adhere closely to the ethical standards and professional roles of teachers, and that I will faithfully discharge to the best of my ability the duties and obligations incumbent upon a legally authorized Professional Teacher.” I have the responsibility to always affirm and uplift the value of morality and certainty.
It kills me to be like those people during the ancient times not to do something or even to speak up fighting for what is true and good. I have the mandate to promote what is moral and rightful based on the Natural Law. You see, all those huge stuffs came from the least. It grew like a monster because we tend to ignore such. A famous adage says that “Prevention is better than cure” but we seemingly ignore the fact, that, as a human persons who are capable of rationality and moral judgment, to stand up for what is good and just. For what reason? Because we are afraid to be persecuted and hated by people around us.
Moral degradation is not about the corrupt politicians who raped and plundered our nation. Moral degradation is not about those who are in authority, power and fame who continuously do things which is inconsistent to their moral role in the society. Rather, moral degradation and degeneration is about us ordinary people who do not speak and act amid the cries of those who are affected by willful acts of injustice in our society. It is us who is to blame for such terrible occurrences in our society. But, one will say: “Your point is extremely exaggerated! You are just romanticizing your point of view!” NO! It is not exaggeration to speak up and stand up for the truth! It is not romanticizing your argument by defending the side of truth and wisdom! The problem with us HUMAN PERSONS is we do not want to be admonished and corrected if WE ARE DOING THINGS WHICH ARE IMPROPER AND IMMORAL. Nietzsche nailed it! We just don’t want, because it will a part of us, or should I say, the WHOLE OF US.
To fight and stand for what is true and just will not give us fame, honor and even wealth, in the view of worldliness. Such is stupidity in the eyes of the corrupt. Such is seen as self-righteousness and scrupulous attitude in the eyes of those in the dark. Well, in my standpoint, SO BE IT! After all, I am not just feeding my ego, rather, I am doing it because it is the right thing to do, NO MORE, NO LESS!
I just want to ask these questions: “Why is it that ones who are doing inappropriate and inconsistent things against his essence simply would be in rage in rant like an untamed horse to those people who would go against them? Why would such people insult and even humiliate those who are not with them? Why would such people re-invent the real story and eventually would accuse people who are against them to be inconsiderate and judgmental? And why would such people argue that they are the ones being mistreated and unjustly persecuted? Well, it seems that the answers for such can be sought using one’s common sense.
Jesus on the cross said: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” But now, because of what has been happening nowadays, Jesus would say: “Father forgive them, for they are not doing what they know.” Jesus said:“You hypocrite! First, take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”~ Matthew 7:5. Stop doing things which are inappropriate, immoral, inconsistent and unlawful and you will see that the current of waters will not go against you. To proclaim what is true and just is the right thing to do and cannot be just deduced to mere nattering and senseless chattering. Go and face the mirror, ask yourself and examine your conscience: “Are my actions charitable enough? What have I done? Should I justify my wrong doings and put down those who will go against me?” One can be assured that if he/ she is doing the right thing, then, the grace of the Lord will descend upon him/ her.
At the end of the day, truth will always remain to be true and lies will continue to be lies. The principle of non-contradiction would affirm such: “A thing can be and cannot be at the same time and at the same respect.” But, of course, stick to what is true and just and eventually, the grace of the Lord will be upon you.
It is not too late to reform our lives. It will never be too late to choose and do that which is good. Affirm and guard what is good and just because “You can’t Keep a Good Man Down” (Genesis 40-41).
By: Romeo Q. Locson, Jr., LPT | Teacher II | Mariveles National High School – Poblacion Senior High School
