Beliefs ... |
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| I was brought up in a Christian family with seven children and notably, two ‘crazy’ parents. My parents, perhaps, are not crazy in the literal sense of the word, but rather in a purist, more existential and utopian quality. They were crazy about family, about children, and about the moments that presented opportunities for growth amidst sibling debate and seemingly unnatural fraternal conjugation. In my house, argument and inconsequential in-fighting never seemed to be big issues to my parents, however failing to resolve our differences WERE ALWAYS of paramount importance and therefore not an option. Dictations proclaiming ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ regarding interpersonal situations were rarely provided during my youth (excepting those few situations where the ultimate authority came down to a “Because I said so!” mandate for resolution). Rather, my parents employed more time-intensive and investment oriented restorative justice methodologies as they worked to facilitate resolution of familial confrontations. They modeled, in my opinion, an ethic of love, an ethic of caring, and an ethic of justice simultaneously. They exemplified that which I have come to understand as a Christian ethic based foundationally on the teachings of the Bible. So, it is within the Christian framework that I find my background beliefs … as presented by both, the theoretical and |
illustrative teachings of the Bible, and as it was and is lived by example of my parents and others in the community of Christians. I believe that all people are made in God’s image… and are therefore, made equal and deserving of respect and love regardless of their shortcomings. In cases where we are initially unable to see someone’s positive attributes and abilities, we need to look harder – not because we should like everyone – rather that we can begin by finding a dialogic space in which we can begin to connect and understand one another. This reminds me of the old adage “you cannot know someone until you walk a mile in their shoes” - we so often choose to not only omit donning another’s shoes, but even the consideration of what those shoes might be like. I believe that we are called to love one another. Love our families, our friends, our neighbors, our students, and our enemies. This love is not perverse, it seeks to understand and care for the physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual needs of others so that they may be enabled to live to their personal potential. I believe that being responsible in any ethical or moral situation is hinged upon being first able to listen - truly listen – and then discern what is best based on the respect for, love of, and call on the lives of the individual’s lives represented in |
the dilemmas. I contend - black and white are not familiar colors on the canvas of ethical dilemmas. My background beliefs were developed and molded in my youth – perhaps as the adage suggests, “Everything I need to know I learned in kindergarten”. I was taught that “sticks and stones might break bones, so too names are hurtful”. I was taught to share my crayons, to not hit or hurt others, to clean up my own messes, and to play fair. I was taught to look both ways before crossing a street, to get back up after falling down, and to find someone’s hand to hold when ever I needed them or they needed me. I learned that I didn’t have all the answers, and neither did my teachers. I learned that the fastest way to learn was to watch and learn from example – and God has placed many examples in my life, including the Bible. The lessons I learned in my youth still hold true for me today and have enabled me to continue building on and re-articulating my beliefs in a more sophisticated moral language. And still, regardless of the language used and the ever increasing depths of ethical awareness, I am struck by the continuing effect of my early moral foundational constructions and ‘simple’ understandings on my current edifice of an adult moral language. |
"Everything I need to know I learned in Kindergarten"