Personal Responsibility

[truelight Mike]

Why does media, popular culture and humans in general focus on blaming others or the government for the problems of humanity instead of looking at how we as individuals can improve ourselves and deal with our own shortcomings?

 

[74x12]

Why does media, popular culture and humans in general focus on blaming others or the government for the problems of humanity instead of looking at how we as individuals can improve ourselves and deal with our own shortcomings?

So if they set up a nuclear power plant near your house and you knew for sure that it was unsafe and they weren't building it to the proper safety standards; then you would just be quiet and "improve" yourself?

 

[Revoltingest]

Government definitely deserves some blame,
but people do elect the government which does
the things they dislike.
GWB was re-elected while waging the wars they hate.
So was Obama. Personal responsibility applies to
government too.

 

[truelight Mike]

Government definitely deserves some blame,
but people do elect the government which does
the things they dislike.
GWB was re-elected while waging the wars they hate.
So was Obama. Personal responsibility applies to
government too.

Right. But I mean, why do we seem so focused on other people's issues or other organization's issues. When we've got so much to work on dealing with our own need to improve. Like we wish our government was more kind to the poor. Instead of protesting why don't we find someone in a worse place than we are and help them somehow. Let's become who we wish others were.

 

[dfnj]

Why does media, popular culture and humans in general focus on blaming others or the government for the problems of humanity instead of looking at how we as individuals can improve ourselves and deal with our own shortcomings?

Scapegoating is okay. Blaming each others is okay. Blaming people for being imperfect is okay.

BUT WHAT IS NOT OKAY IS EVER BLAMING CEOs, BILLIONAIRES, CORPORATIONS, or CORPORATE PROFITS!! SOME THINGS ARE TOO SACRED FOR CRITICISMS!!

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Why does media, popular culture and humans in general focus on blaming others or the government for the problems of humanity instead of looking at how we as individuals can improve ourselves and deal with our own shortcomings?

Because it's very easy and most definitely the path of least resistance. Looking in requires us to acknowledge and admit our own faults and shortcomings, and that is very difficult for many people.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

SOME THINGS ARE TOO SACRED FOR CRITICISMS!!

Anything you claim too sacred for criticism I will eagerly chop down with an axe of sarcasm.

 

[osgart]

Why does media, popular culture and humans in general focus on blaming others or the government for the problems of humanity instead of looking at how we as individuals can improve ourselves and deal with our own shortcomings?

There ought to be more media forums devoted to individual self improvement. Sure!

Government is a power though, and deserves the utmost scrutiny.

 

[Hockeycowboy]

Why does media, popular culture and humans in general focus on blaming others or the government for the problems of humanity instead of looking at how we as individuals can improve ourselves and deal with our own shortcomings?

My shortcomings?!
How dare you!

 

[dfnj]

Anything you claim too sacred for criticism I will eagerly chop down with an axe of sarcasm.

I am guilty as sin. In my defense I live in New Jersey. When you live in New Jersey there's only Heaven.,

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I am guilty as sin. In my defense I live in New Jersey. When you live in New Jersey there's only Heaven.,

I don't consider it a sin but rather a civic duty to ridicule sacred cows.

 

[dfnj]

Why does media, popular culture and humans in general focus on blaming others or the government for the problems of humanity instead of looking at how we as individuals can improve ourselves and deal with our own shortcomings?

Here is why. We only criticize and hate in other people what we do not like about our own character. So let's start with our parents. I once heard a comedian say we are not like our parents, we ARE our parents. In other words, we have ALL our parents strengths and weaknesses. So we hate our parents for their weaknesses because our parent's weaknesses and imperfections are our own weaknesses and imperfections.

We can only heal and become whole when we forgive our parents for creating us with so many imperfections. Once we love our parents exactly just the way they are with all their imperfections, only then, will we be open and available to love another person without distractions.

Next, we hate people around us and in society when they are weak. Because when other people are weak we see ourselves as being like them and we hate feelings of being weak. People want to be strong, powerful, and dominating like NFL football players. People can't stand when other people show weaknesses. It's only when we forgive the people around us for their weaknesses that we will be able to forgive ourselves for our own weaknesses. Seeing imperfections in other people prevents you from seeing the beauty and strengths in other people and within ourselves.

Next, we hate God for creating human beings with so many imperfections. We hate God for creating nature that is cruel and unforgiving. We hate God for not making us safe from cancer and disease. We hate God for other people having imperfections where they get sick and die. Again, it's only when we forgive God for creating us with imperfections that will will be able to experience ourselves, other people, and nature as a blessing instead of curse. And living a World with no blessings from God is not much fun. The way to get what we want is to want what we have. The way to experience joy and happiness from all God's blessings coming our way is by loving God in spite of all the imperfections we encounter in God's creation.

Each of us has character flaws. If you want to turn your character flaws, or your greatest weaknesses into your greatest strengths, the first step is to be aware of your own character imperfections. The following books is one the best ones I've found for mapping our character imperfections and turning them into our greatest strengths by just being aware they exist:

https://www.amazon.com/King-Warrior-Magician-Lover-Rediscovering-ebook/dp/B00EXOFDXI

Everyone is on a journey. In spite of everyone's shortcomings, we have some amazing stories we tell each other:

 

[dfnj]

I don't consider it a sin but rather a civic duty to ridicule sacred cows.

I admire someone who has a sense of duty plus I like your avatar pic.

 

[Trailblazer]

Why does media, popular culture and humans in general focus on blaming others or the government for the problems of humanity instead of looking at how we as individuals can improve ourselves and deal with our own shortcomings?

Simply put, it is easier to blame other people rather than looking at yourself, because if you look at yourself then you have to face yourself and then you might have to do something about what is wrong. Most people do not want to take the time and do the work on themselves.

I am very happy to see a Christian bringing this up, because Jesus stressed individual morality and building character. Character is also an important principle of my religion.

“The third Taráz concerneth good character. A good character is, verily, the best mantle for men from God. With it He adorneth the temples of His loved ones. By My life! The light of a good character surpasseth the light of the sun and the radiance thereof. Whoso attaineth unto it is accounted as a jewel among men. The glory and the upliftment of the world must needs depend upon it. A goodly character is a means whereby men are guided to the Straight Path and are led to the Great Announcement. Well is it with him who is adorned with the saintly attributes and character of the Concourse on High.”
Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 36​

 

[dfnj]

Simply put, it is easier to blame other people rather than looking at yourself, because if you look at yourself then you have to face yourself and then you might have to do something about what is wrong. Most people do not want to take the time and do the work on themselves.

I am very happy to see a Christian bringing this up, because Jesus stressed individual morality and building character.

I think Jesus expressing the idea that one chooses how one can be in the World is very profound:

THE EIGHT BEATITUDES OF JESUS
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

People ARE how they choose to be and experience God's creation based on how they choose to be.

I've been on a lot of forums and have posted for years. It's always bewildering to me why I am the only one to ever post or quote the BEATITUDES. It's really strange to me. I would think they would be more popular than they are.

 

[Trailblazer]

I think Jesus expressing the idea that one chooses how one can be in the World is very profound:

THE EIGHT BEATITUDES OF JESUS
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

People ARE how they choose to be and experience God's creation based on how they choose to be.

I've been on a lot of forums and have posted for years. It's always bewildering to me why I am the only one to ever post or quote the BEATITUDES. It's really strange to me. I would think they would be more popular than they are.

I think it is sad that Christians do not talk as much about the beautiful parables of Jesus as they talk about the Christian doctrines, such as being saved and forgiven by the blood of Jesus. Sadly, Jesus did not teach what is in those doctrines, and what Jesus taught about how to live life seems to have been lost to Christianity, because the doctrines of the Church have superseded the teachings of Jesus.

 

[Watchmen]

Why does media, popular culture and humans in general focus on blaming others or the government for the problems of humanity instead of looking at how we as individuals can improve ourselves and deal with our own shortcomings?

Democrats don’t believe in personal responsibility and they control most of the media.

 

[Trailblazer]

Democrats don’t believe in personal responsibility and they control most of the media.

What do you think Democrats believe in then?
Do you think Republicans believe in personal responsibility?

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Democrats don’t believe in personal responsibility and they control most of the media.

And Republicans, who blame a goat horned red boogeyman, blame the gays, blame communists and socialists, blame rock 'n roll, and blame "Satanic cults" are themselves big into personal responsibility? When they learn to turn the TV channel or just turn the TV off instead of demanding censorship, then I might reconsider the point.

 

[Watchmen]

And Republicans, who blame a goat horned red boogeyman, blame the gays, blame communists and socialists, blame rock 'n roll, and blame "Satanic cults" are themselves big into personal responsibility? When they learn to turn the TV channel or just turn the TV off instead of demanding censorship, then I might reconsider the point.

Some do. Not me. I’m not even Republican.