Theory versus practice

The students were asked what 5 values they would impose on the world if they could. Some of the results were interesting. For example: conservation of the environment was a new suggestion. The others were more standard, no war, no terrorism, no illicit drugs, respect people’s opinions, equality and cheap food. Mostly our discussion wasn’t too serious. When asked what they would change at home several students wanted Foxtel channels back, more soft drink and KFC.

One student who shall remain unnamed had some sugar that he ate during the course of our small group discussion. This became a source of great entertainment for us as we joked about his sugar obsession, how if he ruled the world people in Nursing homes would find sugar packets and cans of coke on their meal tray while being forced to watch sports on Foxtel channels. Other students wanted bigger TV’s at home which is where there is a contradiction between theory and practice.

Real Values

In theory the students wanted good things for the world such as the conservation of the environment. But in practice they wanted bigger TVs more take away food and soft drink all of which contribute negatively to the environment. So when I put it to a student whether he would be prepared to sacrifice Foxtel and TV for the environment there was no hesitation in the “NO!” answer I received. The response was as long as the resources in the world can last for his life that all that mattered.

Insight into the world’s problem

Essentially the world is a mess because we try and get stuff and use stuff to make ourselves happy. We have good values in theory but in practice our real values are based around our own happiness. That’s why people steal, lie, cheat and murder. That’s why there are wars, and poverty. None of us when it boils down to it is prepared to give up our own happiness or comfort to really address the major problems of this world.

God’s values

We discussed some of God’s values outlined in the Ten Commandments, such as respecting those who are raising you, respecting people’s right to live, not stealing, speaking the truth. All of us have not kept God’s values, we all steal, lie, cheat, disrespect our parents. These are symptoms of a deeper spiritual problem and it explains why there is a difference between our theory and practice. Dave (chaplaincy volunteer) explained that God loves people despite what they do and who they are. It’s important for everyone to make their peace with God.