EDITORIAL: ‘Moral values’ should mean more than sexual ethics_110804

Posted: 11/05/04

EDITORIAL:
'Moral values' should mean more than sexual ethics

How do you define “moral values”?

I couldn't help but ponder that question on election night. The national exit poll, shared by major news media, revealed 80 percent of voters who said “moral values” are a primary concern cast their ballots for George W. Bush. As I listened to the pundits and recalled which “moral values” surfaced in the presidential campaign, I came to the same conclusion I reach while viewing too many TV commercials: It's all about sex.

The “moral values” boiled down to two front-line issues and a shadow third–abortion, homosexual “marriage” and a former president's infidelity.

Don't misunderstand: These are vital issues. The Baptist General Convention of Texas repeatedly has opposed elective abortion and called for restricting abortion “except to save the life of the mother or in cases of incest or rape.” Texas Baptists have opposed partial-birth abortion and supported laws requiring parental consent before a minor could have an abortion. And we have provided infrastructure to make adoption a viable alternative to abortion. Concerning homosexuality, we have stated, “The homosexual lifestyle is not normal or acceptable in God's sight and is indeed called sin.” We also have stressed the Bible affirms the value and worth of every person, offering hope for all, including homosexuals, in Christ. And we have called on our churches to minister to homosexuals. As for infidelity, well, it's so damaging to individuals and families and churches that we believe it deserves universal condemnation.

You can understand why sex monopolizes the “moral values” radar: Sexual imagery dominates television and movies, billboards and magazines. Abortion is a life-or-death issue. And homosexuality, which millions of Americans wish would just go away, seems to be forced upon our consciousness, both in the media and in the courts.

But (high school boys' imaginations to the contrary) there's more to this world than sex. And every American, particularly every person of faith, who is motivated by “moral values” should press our leaders to act on a wider range of issues. They include, but aren't necessarily limited to:

Poverty. Nothing seems to raise Baptists' hackles like the reminder that poverty is a moral issue. Sure, we can cite extenuating circumstances. People need to take responsibility for their own lives. Deadbeat dads are louses. Some folks abuse “the system.” But we can work to reduce the plague of poverty without embracing socialism or a welfare state. Working families shouldn't be impoverished; shame on our society when they are. No matter how lousy their parents, children shouldn't be malnourished. As a people, we can do better, and we should find more ways to empower poor adults and embrace poor children. Bottom line: Jesus said the way we minister to “the least of these” reflects how we minister to him. No argument, rationalization or equivocation.

Healthcare. People who argue against improving our healthcare/insurance system consistently say, “I don't want a program like Europe.” We don't have to have socialized medicine to provide more equity, fairness and, yes, grace to our medical system. We all know it's broke and getting worse. We have a “moral” obligation to fix it.

Environment. You don't have to be a tree-hugger to be alarmed. The planet's air, water and soil all are jeopardized. Playing semantic games won't make it go away. Genesis tells us this world doesn't belong to us. It is God's. We are to be good stewards. Jesus said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” That goes for future generations, who will curse us if we deplete and pollute their natural resources.

Debt. Economic theories abound, of course. But they fail the morality test if they enrich us while impoverishing our children and grandchildren. Money is not value-neutral. The Golden Rule applies to the economy, too.

Nationalism. Patriotism is wonderful; it is a love for one's country born out of gratitude to God. It embraces self-sacrifice, optimism, compassion and altruistic vision. While it aspires to the best for one's country, it does not seek to exalt that country at the expense of others. But nationalism is a perversion of patriotism. It poses as patriotism, but it is selfish and mean. It does not care for others. It seeks to rise by standing on the necks of others. Rather than expressing gratitude to God, it assumes blessings are a divine right, owed by God. Throughout our history, America has been a patriotic country. We're tilting toward nationalism. We don't have to become a patsy or allow global bullies to go unchecked. But we should guard against becoming the bully, the oppressor. We should seek the kind of humility that is affordable precisely because we have been blessed and now are the most powerful nation on Earth.

A lawyer once asked Jesus, “Which is the greatest commandment?” Jesus responded: “'Love the Lord your God will all your heart and with all you soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Jesus defined “neighbor” not as a fellow believer who attends the same church and votes the same way, but as a sworn enemy, the last person we would be expected to love.

We who seek to pattern our lives after the Great Commandment–loving God–sometimes forget the Second Commandment–love others. But any biblical definition of “moral values” surely embraces both.