Friday, February 19, 2010

Moral compass needed to navigate life

There are Some Moral Absolutes  Zig Ziglar

Some things are just flat wrong, and some are absolutely right.

In this age of "relativity," many people suffer from the illusion that tolerance and relativity are the ways to go. Dr. Josh McDowell says that his surveys and studies show that our children's views about truth make a difference in their behavior.

His data proves that when our children do not accept an objective standard of truth, they are 48 percent more likely to cheat on exams, twice as likely to watch a pornographic film, two times more likely to steal, three times more likely to use illegal drugs, six times more likely to attempt suicide, two times more likely to be angry with life, two times more likely to be lacking purpose and two times more likely to be resentful.

Just as the compass gives us true north and the international time standards set exactness for time, there are truths that can be taught to our children that will benefit them all their lives. Admittedly, lying, cheating and stealing bring certain temporary advantages. However, when trust is destroyed -- as it ultimately will be -- the future of the individual who cannot be trusted is limited.

Unfortunately, parents often hide behind the old saw that they love their children too much to deny them anything. What they're saying is, "I'm not willing to risk finding out just how much authority I have and just how much my child loves me." Ironically, when there is divorce in the family, the child, when given the choice, will generally go with the parent who is more of a loving disciplinarian because children instinctively know their long-range best interests are served when absolutes are established.

Message: Parents, love your kids enough to do what is best for them, and I'll see you --and your kids -- at the top!

--

No comments: