The importance of VALUES in a world full of LIES and MISTRUST PART 2

To part 1.

I want to talk about some values that I believe in, just to give a few examples and show why I think certain values are important. 

I believe in the absolute value of the sanctity of human life. If we forego this value and start to regard human lives as disposable, as something that can be done away with when convenient, we forego our humanity. Then we are no more than mere cattle. This does not stop here either. I also believe that whatever else may be true, no person is inherently useless. Every person has an intrinsic value, regardless of the person’s practical value in the world. 

I believe in the absolute value of free will. To be human is to make choices. Without free will we are reduced to animals. I believe so strongly in this value, that I would rather lose my life than my free will. 

I believe in the value of freedom. More specifically, I believe that I have the right to do whatever I want as long as I don’t hurt anyone else or, objectively speaking, put anyone at risk. 

I believe in honesty. Now, I know that I’ve done my fair share of lying, even quite recently. In a few instances out of nothing but sheer cowardice. But I truly believe that lies both hurt the one doing the lying and erode the trust between people and in societies in general. It doesn’t matter if we lie because we believe that it serves some higher good. I believe that we need to tell the truth and trust that it will lead to the best results.

Finally, I believe that love trumps fear every time. This is difficult in a world where we are so cut off from ourselves and each other. But we can come back to ourselves and each other. We have to. 

This means that I will do my best to refrain from taking action based on fear. It also means that I will do my best not to support political measures taken from a place of fear. This should be seen in light of the values of free will and freedom. I am never going to give up my free will or my freedom for security and comfort. Not even with a gun to my head or in the face of a threat of impending doom. Because I refuse to allow fear to dictate my decisions. Because I don’t believe that my life is worth preserving at any cost. I do not believe that the survival instinct is what should govern our actions. I believe that it is something that needs to be transcended. 

Do you understand what I’m saying here? If, in the near future, if your are given a choice between two options, what will you choose? The first is to believe in a higher meaning. To trust that we can and will be better and that there is something better on the way. The second is that we live in an ultimately meaningless world. And that you need to protect yourself from the world, the state of the world and other people. What will you choose: love or fear?