So...somebody "splain to me...what are these "values" of which

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GeorgiaXplant

Well-known Member
Location
Georgia
we hear so many speak? Values? What, exactly? I don't recall ever having heard anybody get specific and mention just exactly what they're talking about, what they're referring to. Sometimes I think "values" is just something that sounds good and makes the speaker appear virtuous without having to explain anything. It's like The Emperor's New Clothes.
 

Yay! Ina, do you mean to tell me that I'm not the only one to call BS on so freely throwing around that word? Whenever I hear somebody say something totally bogus like "I share your values" or "Values are important to me" I want to barf. Hmph.
 
I think values are culture specific.

Our treasurer is in deep doo doo trying to get his first budget through parliament, five months after introducing it. Most of it passed without trouble but a lot is stuck because it is so unpalatable to Australians. It flies in the face of fairness, which is a firmly held value among Australians. We don't like a budget that seeks to balance the books by punishing the poor and low income families with measures that will be permanent while applying small tax increases to high flyers that last just three years. We don't agree with paying high income women $50,000 in maternity leave at the same time as money is being taken out of child care, education and health. It goes against the grain, as it were.

Similarly cherished values in OZ are egalitarianism and mateship. The latter is more of a masculine value but it underpins the more general value of collectivism. This contrasts with the American values of individualism and enterprise.
 
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My reaction to 'Christian values' is one of irritation...they are usually 'used' to make themselves 'right' or 'better than' and appearing as if they the "THE" answer to whatever is being discussed or questioned. AND often used as an excuse to ridicule, bar, ban, and totally disrespect the opinion and 'values' of others.
 
When I was teaching in a catholic school we referred to Gospel values, not Christian values. We quite literally referred to them by frequently reflecting on what we did in the classroom and on the structures, policies and procedures in the school and then comparing them with the values demonstrated by Christ in the four gospels. Obviously we struggled to match them but we tried to get as close as we could. Very important among those values were forgiveness, inclusivity, a preference for the poor and disadvantaged and loving service.

If you are observing these values then you cannot simultaneously ridicule, bar, ban, and totally disrespect the opinion and 'values' of others.
 
Values, values, values, hmmm, let's see. Just what are we talking about here? OH, OH, Now I understand. You mean those things we used to have that were like convictions and doing the right things by making good choices. Naw, they no longer exist for many people. Today, we live in a mostly "anything goes" society. Do as you please and to hell with anyone else that disagrees with our way of life or what we think because we are entitled to do so.
 
oldman said:
Values, values, values, hmmm, let's see. Just what are we talking about here? OH, OH, Now I understand. You mean those things we used to have that were like convictions and doing the right things by making good choices. Naw, they no longer exist for many people. Today, we live in a mostly "anything goes" society. Do as you please and to hell with anyone else that disagrees with our way of life or what we think because we are entitled to do so.
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Well, just call me a 'Pollyanna' but, I disagree with this, I think most people know what is 'the right thing' and strive to do it.
 
Everyone and every group has their own set of values. Most think all others should follow their values and don't give a damn about any one else's values.

I somewhat agree Jackie that in a broad sense we all know right from wrong, but on the other hand we have differing opinions about even that.

Abortion is one example. Some say it is right to force a pregnant woman to have a baby while others say it is right to allow her to have a choice.
 
Jackie22 said:
Well, just call me a 'Pollyanna' but, I disagree with this, I think most people know what is 'the right thing' and strive to do it.
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Really? Have you kept up with the politicians, the TV and movie so-called stars, super jock athletes, the rioters in Missouri and so on? They may know the right thing, but doing it, I don't think so.
 
I understand what you are saying, but I choose to believe that on the whole there is more good than bad....I refuse to believe all is doom and gloom...like I said..just call me Pollyanna, I'll live in my world..you in yours.
 
To me having values means treating others as I would like to be treated. Showing kindness and helping
others when possible. Being considerate of others feelings and trying to be a trustworthy person.
I am far from perfect and make lots of mistakes as I travel the road of life,
but I keep trying to be a better person and not hurt others feelings and try to do the right thing.
It is not always easy to know what the right thing to do is, so it takes a lot of thought to make decisions.
 
I`ll have to say that I agree with Raven .. doing unto others , being a good neighbour etc and in making value-based choices, might not always be easy , however , making a choice that you know is right is a lot less difficult in the long run..Values are usually fairly stable, yet they don`t have strict limits or boundaries. also as you move through life your values may change , like when you start a career , success , might be top priority but after you have a family , work life balances maybe be what you value more.. so its a life choice values we each make..
 
GeorgiaXplant said:
Yay! Ina, do you mean to tell me that I'm not the only one to call BS on so freely throwing around that word? Whenever I hear somebody say something totally bogus like "I share your values" or "Values are important to me" I want to barf. Hmph.
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Not any more bogus than saying that you "love" someone - where's the universal description for THAT word? Or "friend"? Or even "like", as in "I like chocolate-covered puffin pops" - HOW do you like them? How much? What is so likeable about chocolate-covered frozen puffins?

As for "values", I agree that the word has been bastardized by many, but to me they are principles which you hold and attempt to follow.
 
I remember my youngest two having the same teacher-one one year,the other the next-and that was one of the first assignments she assigned at the beginning of the school year. "What are your family`s values?" Huh? Don`t think we ever turned that one in....
 
My values are are my own and change from time to time. Somebody once said, I think it was Cary Grant, "I get up in the morning, I go to bed at night. In between I do the best I can." That's about all any of us can do.
 
What I've gleaned from responses is that "values" is the same thing as conscience. Semantics. It just sounds more impressive to say "values".
 
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GeorgiaXplant said:
What I've gleaned from responses is that "values" is the same thing as conscience. Semantics. It just sounds more impressive to say "values".
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Somehow I think there's a subtle difference in there, but I'm not sure how to describe it ... perhaps values are "externally worn", while conscience is of course carried internally. Or maybe it's the origin of each - values are taught to us by parents and society, while conscience is something that is internally learned and held ...

Don't know - tough thoughts for 3am ... :sleeping:
 
Bettyann, you are so correct. When I hear "Christian Values " I know that person is not the kind of person I want to associate with. They are prejudiced and narrow
minded. Often times they spew hatred for ones that aren't exactly like them.
 

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