Simply put the human race is divided into two groups, the decent and the indecent. The distinction has nothing to do with race, religion, sex, or age. It has everything to do with values. It is easy to believe that because we have a certain racial heritage or cultural background, or because we are men or women, or because we subscribe to a specific religion or none at all that we act, understand, and react the way we do. However all these distinctions are cosmetic, they only create a context in which values are defined and held by us as individuals. It is the actual values that these environments advocate, either knowingly or unknowingly, that form the soul of the man or woman that then acts upon the world through the filter of these values.
If a society has taught men that women are their property then they see no value in a woman being able to choose her own profession. If a culture has fostered the creative nature of the individual then they see value in the creations a person can imagine and build. Not all values are equal. Values roll up into two supreme values: the value of Good and the value of Evil. Values of Good are anything that increases or builds up the good things of the world and Evil is anything that destroys or reduces the good things of the world. The more good a value produces, the greater that value.
Do we know what we value? Many people are so busy in life that they do not take the time to thoughtfully reflect on their values. As a result many people believe that they hold values that in fact they do not. They give lip service to it in conversation but indeed their hearts are far from those values. Take the simple example of anger vs. patience. Most would assert that they hold the value of patience higher than anger and feel that one should have patience in most circumstances and resort to anger only when the need is important. The examples of people getting angry over unimportant things are legion; the problem of road rage alone is convincing.
Spend some time paying attention to where you spend your time and how you behave while executing your daily tasks. If watched closely enough you will see the things you value and the values you actually hold and those you cast aside. The observation could result in a revelation that may begin a personal transformation.
