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Right & Wrong
Who Decides?

Are we equipped to decide right and wrong for ourselves?
The record of history isn't encouraging, so is it time we looked somewhere else?

by Roger Foster

The recent U.S. presidential election focused attention on bitter divisions in society over moral behavior and ethical values. The winner of the election, President George W. Bush, has promised to change the tone of politics in Washington and institute a new civility in government. The scandals of the Clinton years played a major role in heightening passions over issues of moral and ethical standards.

At the heart of the current debate over morality lies a crucial question: Who has the right to decide right from wrong?
The issues that so divided the United States during the recent election cycle are real and dishearteningly deep.

They routinely dominate newspaper headlines and television news. For many, the issues have become personal crusades. They have increasingly become litmus tests for those who would hold public office or those who would vote for them.

In many cases these issues have divided families and even generations. They define on the one hand what is politically correct and on the other what is deemed intolerant or close-minded. They increasingly affect the lives of people all over the world.

Issues that dominate

What are some of the issues-matters of right and wrong-that divide us?

Abortion, homosexuality and homosexual rights usually top the lists. Other issues relating to sex are always hot topics. Is adultery really wrong? Is promiscuity harmful? What's the harm in lying about sex? After all, doesn't everybody do it? Surely a person's private life has no bearing on his performance in public office or other positions of trust-or so we are told.

Not far behind are drug use-including decriminalization or reduced penalties for use, possession and distribution of illegal drugs.

Other distasteful matters regularly make the news. What exactly is pornography? What's wrong with producing movies and television shows that glorify violence and illicit sex, since that's what people pay to see?

Read the full article at www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn33/rightwrong.htm