If you tell a child, “Keep this rule because if you don’t you will be punished!” the child has two doubts in his mind: Maybe he won’t be caught, and if he is caught, maybe the punishment won’t outweigh the crime.
The child has to know that there is an eye that sees, an ear that hears—that there is a Higher Unseen Being to whom he is answerable. Such awareness is essential for a sustainable civil society.
Please define
Can you please define "civil society"
Was Sodom or Egypt considered a civil society? How about now under our "new and improved" Pharaoh?
Am not sure if there is such a thing anymore.
Signed,
Waiting..... for yet another flood
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Why this rule? I grew up in post WWII rural America in an "orthodox" family. Then the mantra was "do it because I say so" and "we do it because Zayde expects it." Punishment wasn't the issue. Rules without clear reasons and hypocritical behavior examples set by parents and other adults created a confusing situation. Hashem was hardly in the picture...even in Chader. And this was what formed my Jewishness...this and repeated references to the Holocaust and unspecified "anti Semites" whose mission was to obliterate the Jews. Sad. Reply
Reducing crime
Perhaps it is also about how you want to view yourself, and others.
This may be largely shaped by your perception of how your parents and society view you. If you experience a genuine connection with G-d early on, that helps. Morality in it's constant and genuine form is probably not motivated by reward or punishment, but more likely to flow from the strength of the bond you feel with your faith and G-d.
However if the environment a child grows up in is so negative , violent and without empathy , the ability or opportunity to develop or reclaim that bond may come too late.
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How do you know what's moral, though? If one does not live within guidelines described by a "Higher Unseen Being," how does one know what is moral? Relying on one's own intuition is what occurred in Germany ( the most educated, enlighted nation) in the 30's-40's. One's own intuition, no matter how good the intention, is not necessarily ethical (i.e. a father who loves his daughter so much, he acts inappropriately). Sometimes, if not most of the time, the line between ethical and not is not clear in within one's own intellect. Reply
Reducing Crime I agree with Mayim, and also feel that people can learn that giving for its own sake actually feels better than getting. That being kind and loving to people feels better than competing with them. That the only competition that feels good is competing with yourself and doing your best to become someone you like better than the person you were yesterday. Self respect and honorable behavior can only lead to respect for others, and honorable behavior precludes crime. I truly believe that these basic ideas can and must be taught in all school systems from the very start and be a new course in "Life" that is framed as secular in order to be included in course curriculum throughout a child's full educational process. We teach English every year, changing appropriately as the child grows.. Isn't a course in "Living Life For Your Benefit And Everyone's Benefit" at least as important? I do believe that morals end ethics should be taught within this sort of secular frame in order for it to be included with the emphasis on how it actually serves the individual. in order for it to be adopted by the individual. I believe this will eliminate the individual's involvement in criminal behavior to the extent that these concepts are effectively taught and then expressed in everyday living. In the meantime, we can each, individually, be the best we can be for all reasons, and, therefore, express this and become examples. Reply
Reducing Crime Some people only behave when threatened but others intuitively want 2 do good & u don't need 2 threaten them because they automatically do good because they possess & act upon innate compassion & empathy. All that u need 2 do 4 kids who automatically do good without being threatened because they possess & act on innate compassion is teach them how 2 overcome desires with meditation (instead of creating mindset of ruthless competition for material objects with violence competitive sports & philosophies) & read moral-character building texts instead of demoralizing ones about people who torture each other for money / power. Reduce crime by teaching moral character building books & meditation 2 overcome desires instead of titillating desires with demoralizing books, TV, radio, newspaper ads, etc ... Reply
fighting crime If only every human being would be taught this; I love it.
If I were a little kid, and this was explained to me in an understandable way, it sure would make me think twice. Thank G-d, with a conscience, and the way my parents and school taught, I've (gratefully) thought more than twice too many times to count!