blog 31: hypo criticism or hypocrisy

Blog 31:    16^th  March 2010

Hypo-criticism or Hypocritical

-          Laibl Wolf, Dean, Spiritgrow - The Josef Kryss Wholistic Centre, Australia

Hypocrisy is an astounding human phenomenon. Fully integrated, exquisitely wired, electro-statically interfaced, chemically inter-laced, Homo sapiens, will think one thing, say another, and then do what neither thoughts nor words professed. If this were a robot we would consign it to the garbage heap.    Wikipedia very generously suggests that “Humans have a highly developed brain, capable of abstract reasoning, language, introspection and problem solving.”  Well, that definition is practiced in the breach!

Just observe: Sophisticated countries around the world continuously spy on each other, have lockers full of copied passports for immediate use, invade the privacy of myriads of its citizens, offend all basic laws of democratic society – yet they will all, in unison, point a morally accusing finger at a naughty Mossad. (Let’s not even consider that Israel is probably the only country in the world fully surrounded by countries that have no compunction about wiping it off the map!). Or, the leader of opposition in Australia will admit publicly that he would counsel his daughter against indiscriminate sexual liaisons, only to be called a prude by a ‘liberal’ media culture. Yet when asked about his own daughter, one of the ‘free-thinking’ editors stated that he needed ‘to think about the matter.’ Hmm.  Furthermore, what was defined as progressive ‘raunchiness’ by twentieth century tabloids now sees the very same publishers ‘progressively’ at the forefront of ‘morals’ and ‘scruples’.  ( Morality must be currently a lucrative sale, huh? Wham I having difficulty believing that these former flower-children have become straight-laced conservatives?). And then we have paragons of virtue, including ‘holy’ clergymen, sexually exploiting those under their charge. (But that’s ok because the church is cleaning up its act. Oh really? (How about making a few citizen arrests Mr. Pope, and handing over culprits to the police?)

Who are the hypocrites?  Weak-kneed, loose-principled, quick-fix-ated, vote-getting, status seeking brand of Homo sapiens.  And the best way to duck for cover – point the finger at the next person.

We are so used to hypocrisy at a macro and micro level that cynicism hardens our sensitivities – even dulls us into docile acceptance. It’s not our fault says the government – it’s the contractor we hired! Hey, what happened to the Westminster rules Mr. Premier? It’s not our fault say the divorced-but-come-out-fighting-financially head-butting-parents of a teenage crim, - he’s just a bad apple. Another chorus: It’s not our fault say the huge mega-industrial chemical poisoners of our food chains - as cancer rates soar to record highs curiously paralleling ‘food giants’ profits – in fact we are helping society by dealing with an exploding world population. (I suppose a ‘people-cull’ is one way to contain population growth!)

Some will exclaim that I am being hypo-critical. To which I would respond: what’s wrong with being a straight, honest, caring homo sapien? The ancient Talmud notes in an exquisite piece of wisdom-teaching that “a person’s outside should be like his inside”. No double standards.  No blatant hypocrisy. No mixed messages. Just thinking morally, speaking truly, and doing it well.  Is that difficult? Apparently yes.

I think it’s time Mrs. ‘Preachy’ Clinton decided to give back a piece of Washington to the former owners, the Red Indians, before tongue-lashing Israel about sharing its Jerusalem. I think it’s time media players stopped bending morals to the enriching temptation of tabloid sensationalism and appealed to the higher quality of its readers, not the lowest common denominator. I think it’s time each one of us, took a cold hard look at the words that come out of our mouth and practice the values we truly espouse.

A challenge: next time you are at your cocktail party, poker game, family table, or football match, share with those around you something you truly believe in. Don’t camouflage yourself from with cleverness, brazenness, and bravado. Don’t suck up to the guy you want to con. Have the courage to change the moral climate of the world. Inject a first wave antidote combating the shallow hypocrisy that is becoming cynically accepted as a new norm.

As a wise man once said: Be the change you want to see in the world.

(Your comments are invited: Click on reception@spiritgrow.org and let me have the benefit of your insight) 

Laibl’s web site: www.laiblwolf.com                                                                                                                                                                      - Laibl’s blog site: www.laiblwolf.com/blog/                                                                                                      – Spiritgrow – The Josef Kryss Wholistic Center, Australia site    www.SpiritgrowJosefKryssCenter.org