Starting a new week, I am struck by three conversations that I either had or heard last week concerning the general level of disrespect that people have for each other in our world these days. What strikes me the most is that these conversations occurred independently of each other and they were not associated in any way one with the other. What this tells me is that this issue of disrespect is a real problem and one that is on the mind of many.

So, why are so many people in general so disrespectful of others around them? Why have more and more people decided that their wants are more important than those of the people around them? Is this just a short lived failure or is it a trend that is only getting worse?

Let me try to explain as I see it. First, I think that this lack of respect is the result of more than a hundred years of teaching that mankind is nothing more than the most advanced animal on the food chain. If that is all that we are then it is not at all unreasonable for people to be self-oriented and rude. After all if “only the strong survive” I might as well be the one who survives even if I have to dominate you to do so.

The second reason, is that we have been taught for a couple decades through schools, media, entertainment, and advertisements, that if you have a marketable skill, then as a society we will put up with your rude behavior. The sporting world, the entertainment world, and even more and more in the political world is filled with “grown children” who pout and throw tantrums every time they don’t get their way. Then, when their tantrums are broadcast, they are given a pass and life moves on. This happens in all segments of society and we have reached a point where we accept rudeness and discourtesy as “normal” and “acceptable” behavior.

The third reason revolves around this strange misconception that no one should “judge” anyone. What those who teach this really means is that there is really no attitude or behavior that can be viewed under the light of truth. The reason for such a consideration is that no one can really claim a perfect understanding of truth (at least that is what we are told). This then leaves truth, morality, rudeness and disrespect to all be “in the eye of the beholder.” Nothing then is absolute and one level of behavior is just as valid as any other.

So … rudeness and disrespect abound in our culture today. In its most vile form innocents are beaten to death on the streets of ours cities and in its more innocuous forms foul language is used and horns honk for virtually no reason. Either way it is symptomatic of a society out of control. Only when reasonable people choose to turn the tide will we ever see a great change in our world.  Will you take up the banner and help make the change?