Guest columnist, Thomas MacQueeny: Graduates will need their moral compass

Columns

Discussion

May 16, 2009

Anonymous The Joplin Globe Sat May 16, 2009, 07:56 AM CDT

In our hearts, we know what is right and what is wrong. Conscience is that little voice that makes us pause before doing something wrong.

Too frequently we ignore or suppress that little voice to satisfy our desires. After the act, or after getting caught, we may be racked with guilt, shame and regret. As Shakespeare tells us in “MacBeth,” “Once a deed is done, it can’t be undone.”

When I asked my advanced placement literature class to raise their hands if they have cheated in my class, all but three out of 26 raised their hands. I was shocked because these are the best students in the school. Most have loving, successful parents. Most have been blessed with fine minds. They blamed their actions on the pressure to get into college. The moral and ethical truths that define lying, cheating and stealing as wrong have been blurred in our competitive culture.

Our nation’s moral compass is not pointing north; it is spinning around. Recently four nominees for Cabinet posts by President Obama had to withdraw because of personal income-tax issues.

I found this very telling and frightening. Today’s youths see actors, athletes and politicians committing crimes with impunity. They grew up in an era of steroids being used pervasively in all sports.

The media tend to glorify lavish materialism and crude, risqué and selfish behavior. The pervading ethos is “everybody is doing it; I want my share.” I am reminded of Lord Henry’s quote in Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”: “The only way to resist temptation is to yield to it.” Our culture seems bent on cheapening the dignity and worth of human beings.

What makes us human is the ability to determine if something is right or wrong. I think we know, perhaps even a priori, deep down what is right and what is wrong. This is our heart, our soul and our conscience. If your heart keeps telling you something is not quite right, it probably isn’t. If you have to hide a behavior, it probably is wrong.

We must try to hear the little voice of the heart or soul. I have learned in my 50 years of life that it is easy to be naughty and difficult to be good. That’s why the Bible refers to life as a race, a war, and a fight between good and evil.

We must first figure out what we believe is good or evil. I believe there are moral absolutes. The Ten Commandments are timeless because they are words of wisdom. They contain truth and lay a foundation for living a just life. Becoming a mature adult is having the courage to make decisions based on principles that are just and honorable.

For America to reverse the decline it is in, individuals must strive above all else to be altruistic and ethical.

I wish all the graduates hope, love, light and laughter. Try to be good human beings and contribute to America’s ascension.

Thomas MacQueeney is a communication arts teacher for Joplin High School.

Text Only

Columns

Federal stimulus money allows Cherokee County to buy foreclosed houses COLUMBUS, Kan. — A grant through the federal stimulus program will allow the Cherokee County Commission to buy three foreclosed houses from a county bank.

Nancy Lamb, deputy emergency management director for the county, provided information Monday about that grant and other grants on which she has been working.
March 9, 2010
Guest column, Allen Shirley: Copy a winning example Last October, I published a column in The Joplin Globe documenting three failed attempts involving the states of Maine, Massachusetts and Tennessee and their efforts to implement “Obamacare” in their states.
January 11, 2010
Anson burlingame, guest columnist: Living within our means “Mainly, we are going to have to live within our means and be very careful.”

That is the most resounding sound bite I have heard from a politician in a long time. If only that sentiment can grow and resonate, politically, to turn the tide of incessant and extraordinarily dangerous growth beyond our means in government.
January 11, 2010
Jim Stone, guest columnist: Paranoia shouldn’t impede freedom The afternoon of Dec. 30 brought news that eight American CIA agents and four Canadian soldiers at Forward Operating Base Chapman in Afghanistan had been killed by a suicide bomber.
January 9, 2010
Dan Ray, guest columnist: Bills can still be terminated We still have an opportunity to terminate the health care bills that have been passed in the Senate and the House.
January 9, 2010
Dave Woods: Global warming fires up debate on Adams doesn’t believe in global warming.

I have to say, when it’s 3 degrees below zero outside in Joplin and we’re headed for our third week without a thaw, global warming theory is a tough concept to wrap my head around.
January 9, 2010
Jack Kaminsky, guest columnist: Remembering a ‘classic’ Last week Editor Carol Stark asked me to write something about my dad and the Kaminsky Classic, the annual Joplin High School basketball tournament which ended on Saturday.

Even as I started writing, I began crying, and have had tears in my eyes all day.
January 9, 2010
Carol Stark: We all need someone’s hand to hold I was always a nervous little kid and while others my age went through life without a care, I held back, imagining that the worst was about to happen.
January 2, 2010
Dave Woods: Harsh note sounds over parade trip By the time you read this column, the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., will only be a memory.
January 2, 2010
Bob Steere, guest columnist: Still looking for some answers Don Ray’s frustration in obtaining answers from his leaders in Congress (Globe, Dec. 22) is certainly shared by this letter sender.
January 2, 2010
More Columns Headlines

City wants to buy weather radios for those without

Columns

Search Results

Discussion

Guest columnist, Thomas MacQueeny: Graduates will need their moral compass

The Joplin Board of Education has placed a $62 million bond issue on the April ballot. Will you support the plan?

Site Map

Contact Us