Defective Moral Compasses By Roger Behra

44

SHORT COMMUNICATION 44

Defective Moral Compasses

By

Roger Behra

This communication interrelates well with other communications (1, 13, 43) written on the topics of the areas of development, moral deviation, and cultural cornerstones. It is very helpful to have read those communications in order to see the direct connection between them and this one. However, it is not totally necessary.

Although the areas of human development (a.k.a. cultural cornerstones) are interrelated (mental, emotional, spiritual, physical), the objective of this communication is directed to the spiritual (moral) development mostly. Strong and proper spiritual development leads a person to practice strong and proper morality, that the moral compass leads in the proper direction, and that the person makes sound moral decisions. Poor or no spiritual development leads to a defective moral compass and poor or no sound moral decisions.

Recently, April l8, 2008, a very appropriate informative article was printed in The Orange County Register (Orange County, California) that was written by Alicia Finley, a student of Stanford University, on just how defective, even non-existent, modern moral compasses really are. Her article puts the spotlight on spiritual (moral) underdevelopment that pervades the Stanford and so many other college compasses. She writes about how so many college students spend their Friday and Saturday nights engaged in drinking and an activity called “hookups”. Drinking explains itself. “Hookup” does not. For the uninformed a “hookup” is an activity “that involves sex with a partner, a friend, or a person randomly met at a party or some other place.” It is a “one-night, no-strings-attached sexual experience.” And it often ends up with the student feeling “dirty”, “empty”, and miserable.” And the rest of the sad facts is that the “hookup” is gravely immoral and gravely sinful. So, the bottom line is all bad, no redeeming factor whatsoever.

The question is why would a student want to engage in much an activity that seems to point all arrows in a negative direction? The temptation is great even for the spiritually developed, but they are equipped to overcome the temptation. When little or no spiritual development is in effect, it’s a losing situation. It’s that simple.

Along with little or no spiritual development, there are other reasons. Alicia mentions them in her article, and they ring bells. The other reasons seem to be the outgrowth of counter-culture thinking passed down to the descendants of the original counter-culture people. Alicia mentions “no stigma or pressure, relationships between guys and girls are lax, health practitioners and professors urge students to diversify and experiment with sex toys, and that “hookups” are monetarily cheep, and no long-term commitment is necessary.” The smell of the counter-culture is all over that.

How can students avoid getting involved in “hookups” when they are so commonplace at most colleges? Regular moral dating and platonic relationship are not left along the wayside. They will exist. Choosing friends is most important. There are plenty of good morally social groups apart from the college culture. There are good wholesome activities available if one seeks them out.

But most of all God and what He expects of us has to become part of the thinking and part of everyday life. That brings us to the area of spiritual development, and that can start at any time if we ask God to help. It’s one of the four cornerstones in any culture. Without God and His graces, the battle is lost. And when God is left out, Satan enters. There is no void. It is the advantage of Satan, because he becomes the winner in so many ways and lives. And all of those who deny Satan and his satanic influence, affliction, and possession give him his greatest victory –your immortal soul- as he controls your moral compass, which is completely defective.

R. B.