consider moral or immoral. But they are seen as moral by Haidt. Consider Haidt’s discussion of
loyalty. Disloyalty toward one’s coun- try, for example, is usually consid- ered wrong, and civil disobedience is sometimes considered moral. He also tackles respect of author-
ity. Most people believe that the authority of parents and govern- ments deserve respect, even though many disrespect authority. T ink of all the Americans who hate their president. Haidt also presents sanctity as an
area of human life in which people can be moral or immoral. What is sanctity? T e word is no longer com- monly used in America. But even though we don’t literally have sacred cows as they do in India, metaphori- cally we all have some. Our sacred cows are whatever we won’t let any- one criticize, change or harm. What are some of our sacred
cows? T ey might be a child we love, a pet, a car, our political beliefs, our religion. It may just be something we have said or written. Whatever is sacred to us and held in high esteem is a sacred cow.
Respect demanded In religion God is worshiped, and sanctuaries are built and set apart as sacred places for worship. T e writ- ings and the book on which a reli- gion is based are considered sacred. Any disrespect of them is immoral. T at applies to Judaism and the Muslim faith as well as to Christian- ity. T at’s why Muslims are enraged when their holy book is disrespected. Secular items are held to be sacred
as well, such as the American fl ag. Marriage is held in high esteem at least at the time of the marriage. A breaking of the marriage promise on the day it is made is seen as immoral by almost everyone.
February 2014 39
Furthermore, anyone who des-
ecrates anything held sacred engages in immoral behavior. T e defacing or burning of a church, synagogue or mosque is an immoral act. Why? Because it is an act of disrespect. All human behavior can be judged
as right or wrong, moral or immoral. In most cases the answer will depend on the nature of the act. In some cases rightness depends on the inten- tion behind the act. Christians and Jews have the great
law of the Lord God—the law of love of God and of one’s neighbor. So the inspired Paul concluded: “Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfi lling of the law” (Romans 13:9-10). But what makes us or anyone
righteous? T e Christian gospel says over and over: “Since all have sinned
and fall short of the glory of God, they are now justifi ed by God’s grace as a giſt through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24). Paul wrote that “in Christ God
was reconciling the world to him- self, not counting their trespasses against them ...” (2 Corinthians 5:19). In other words, God’s forgiveness, God’s love, is the answer to the doing of morality. It’s the way we become righteous, and then able as well as willing to live morally. T at’s all a great mystery, but it’s a
wonderful truth. It’s the only way we can be righteous.
Author bio: Jahsmann, a retired ELCA pastor who lives in Los Angeles, is an author perhaps best known for the children’s book Little Visits with God (Concordia, 1995).
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