Un-Narrowly Defining Morality

I just want to start by saying what a fantastic job you did starting our book blog. You really set the bar high!

"Morality actually means honesty, concern for others, responsible work, and mature judgement." (P4p2)

This is a great way to define the attributes we are trying to cultivate in our children. As a member of the church, morality can be defined so narrowly as refraining from inappropriate sexual relations. (At least that is the definition that was engrained in my head as a young person.) It's nice to know we are teaching more than appropriate dating behavior. With this definition, having high moral attributes can positively effect all areas of their life. Honesty. Concern for others. Responsible Work. Mature Judgement. These values will encompass many situations in life and allow kids to make decisions that will be responsible and beneficial to themselves as well as others.

"I give morality an absolute definition: morality helps. Morality contributes to mental, emotional (spiritual), and physical well-being; it promotes general welfare. Behavior that hurts people, behavior that contributes to mental, emotional (spiritual), or physical distress, behavior that disrupts the general welfare, is not moral: it's immoral." (P9p4)

Morality Helps. Simple, yet true. It's simple enough to teach a 2 year old. If it helps someone, it's good. If it hurts, it's not good. It's a good standard to go by. Err on the side of being nice right?

"Teaching our children morality, then, requires, first, that we teach them what helps or hurts, and, second, that we teach them to recognize circumstances when helping and hurting can take place." (P13p2)

We have to teach the principle along with the circumstances. This seems to leave no room for your child to question whether or not he/she did what was moral. If they know principles and circumstances, they will know with out a doubt whether or not they acted with high moral standard. Seems like a formula set up to help our children succeed (our ultimate goal:)!