Christianity and the 5th Disc LO9114

J C Howell (orgpsych@csra.net)
Wed, 14 Aug 1996 13:40:35 -0500

Replying to LO9075 --

In LO9075 Rich Antcliff writes

> The question that is raised in my mind is this - Is there room for
> absolute truth? Is there any bedrock?

I think that there is and that it is painfully simple. I believe that
this is true for all religions and philosophies as well. In the case of
Christianity, Jesus said it as simply and eloquently as anyone could:

Love your neighbor as you love yourself.

Judge not lest you be similarly judged.

Whatever you do to the least of these, you to me also.

These principles are fairly simple. They are so simple, in fact, that
they cut through the BS that surrounds everyday life (BS of our OWN
making) in such a way that they show our shortcomings quite clearly.
Therein lies the problem for most people.

Most people (my evaluation) seem to want specific instructions, not vague
principles, to live their life by. I think that this is the origin for
"an eye for an eye." These principles, though, are not that prescriptive.
Yet, when applied in their simplest form, are so life changing that people
get very scared and insecure. Then comes the interpretation of how much
is enough. Jesus addresses this, as well.

In any organization we look for the reason it exists ... they "WHY" ...
the purpose. From that we develop the principles by which the
organization will operate. I have railed before about over-proceduralized
organizations. Standardization is a plus. But standardization to the
point of prescribing every action during a day is excessive and stifles
the natural creativity and adaptability that is so necessary for success,
long life, and, yes, developing a LO.

What is required, IMHO, is the understanding and internalization of the
operating principles followed by the evaluation of all things against
these principles. Extreme intolerance of others because they don't agree
with your views doesn't seem to lie within the principles mentioned above,
as I understand them.

Of course, I could do like Dogbert and simply wave my hand and say, "Bah."
But that only workls in a cartoon ... or does it?

--

Clyde Howell orgpsych@csra.net

Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>