Whatever happened to respect?
I THINK it was at the old time music hall that they used to sing "If you want to know the way ask a policeman". It seems, however, that Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell wasn't prepared to follow directions as he tried to leave Downing Street on his bike last week.
The subsequent row that has broken out is not about who was right and wrong at the time, but the WAY in which Mr Mitchell allegedly addressed the police officer.
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I think that as a nation we still have fairly high expectations of people in leadership, particularly in Government, and would hope that they would not abuse a female police officer trying to do her job, and following the instructions she had been given.
Something has clearly happened with regard to respect in our society. It seems that we no longer regard people in authority in the same way as previous generations did.
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Perhaps we feel betrayed and have been let down too often by those with influence and power.
The attempts at introducing classes in such things in schools have largely failed to reintroduce this back into our culture.
A day spent in any secondary school in the city would show you that.
Along with many others I wonder how this came about.
I think it tells me that we just don't value people in the same way.
We now have a society where so much of it is about "me" – I am the centre of my world.
Life is all about me, my rights, my needs, my views. This can lead us to the point where no-one can get in the way of what I want, even a police officer guarding Downing Street.
Although appalled by the language apparently used by Mr Mitchell, many of us will have sympathies with someone who "loses it" at the end of a tiring day, trying to use an exit they have used before, and trying to avoid being caught by members of the public… but we need a better example.
In Matthew's Gospel, chapter 7 verse 12, Jesus said: "In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you."
And in his lifestyle and sacrifice, Jesus shows us how to do that.
He upheld and honoured the place in society of children, women, "sinners", prostitutes and other outcasts – people that He said should be valued and respected.
Now there is a person of power and authority I can trust in!
Comments
by niugnepyzarc
Saturday, September 29 2012, 7:00PM
“As for the religion aspect of society, there's nothing I have as little respect for then that trash, pure cancer on the face of the planet, holding back society from advancement with backwards predjudices and ideas based on nothing more then a damm story book. Sooner these cults fade away the better for the human race, if only we had a politician brave enough to take on these nutters and start the process, taking away tax exempt status would be a good starting point, why should a secular society bankroll a cult?”
by niugnepyzarc
Saturday, September 29 2012, 6:42PM
“Respect has to be earnt I do not believe it should automatically be given based in occupation as this letter writer seems to believe. I don't care who someone is and what they do for a living..... respect should not automatically be an entitlement for anyone unless theyve proved they deserve it.”
by josdave
Saturday, September 29 2012, 11:53AM
“This is nothing to do woth the police it is clear that lack of respect for others and their property are endemic and it is getting worse. Parents ultimately are to blame as they clearly have not taught their offspring to respect others from an early age and these children when they have children will not do so either. For a government Chief Whip to do so is disgraceful whichever way you look at it and his position should be in question. As someone who believes that MPs should vote according to their constituents opinion and not what the whip tells them I believe the whips are outdated and should go.”
by CharlieDodd
Saturday, September 29 2012, 11:41AM
“Jannercide said-'have a few gay friends who would very much like Tom Daley to be rammed down their throats'..
With forward 1 somersault, 1 twist in the free position no doubt..:)”
by CharlieDodd
Saturday, September 29 2012, 11:21AM
“Mitchell wanted the police to open the big main gate for him, but they quite rightly told him to use the small side gate so he threw his tantrum, no doubt he thought he was too important to use the small gate..
Jesus said - "Enter through the narrow gate.."(Matt 7:13)”
by Vinnie_Gar
Saturday, September 29 2012, 11:05AM
“This nonsense is getting tedious.
Is the new editor a god botherer?”
by Jannercide
Saturday, September 29 2012, 10:33AM
“Speaking of which a have a few gay friends who would very much like Tom Daley to be rammed down their throats.”
by Nick_P2010
Saturday, September 29 2012, 10:03AM
“Jesus may well have said "In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.", but it's a shame the Church won't apply that same respect and tolerance to gay people who want to get married.”
by BettyD
Saturday, September 29 2012, 9:51AM
“Agree, there's too many of these appearing at the moment, as with Tom Daley we are fed up with it being rammed down our throats!”
by herpaderp
Saturday, September 29 2012, 9:48AM
“I was listening, as I have a great deal of respect for coppers.
Then the religion got whipped out. As soon as the whole lot is dead, humanity can put all it's faith in science and we can advance as a race.”