Treating others respectfully is vital to harmonious interactions between all members of society, and it is a separate concept from having respect for others. Magna Sententia advocates treating others respectfully even when you do not respect them.
Treat others respectfully by acting with cordiality, appreciation, and conscientiousness. By doing so, you not only enrich your interactions with others, but you also make a valuable contribution to society: You become one more person restoring respectfulness to everyday life.
The Axiom Of Respect Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior
By Treating Themselves And Others Respectfully
And Respecting Only Those Who Earn It
Across the country, town hall meetings on health care reform are turning ugly. With understandably strong emotions on both sides of the debate, many attendees are shouting, pushing, and losing their tempers as they voice their concerns or support regarding Congress's proposed changes to our current health care system. ("Specter Faces Hostile Audience At Health Care Forum")
As a logic system for guiding behavior, Magna Sententia directly relates to every aspect of interpersonal relationships and social interactions, and if you are planning to attend a town hall meeting on health care reform in your community (and we strongly suggest you do), before you go, please consider the following standards for behavior:
Remain calm. Losing your temper does nothing to further your cause. While it is advantageous to express your views passionately because of the importance of the topic, yelling and screaming takes the focus away from the content of your message.
Clearly articulate your argument, and stick to the facts. Nothing ruins credibility more than wild accusations and exaggeration. For example, in the health care debate, calling your opposition "evil" or telling them they will be "judged by God" is completely inappropriate and calls into question the reliability of anything else you say.
Do not push, shove, or be destructive in any way. It is paramount that we treat others respectfully even when we strongly disagree with their position. Health care reform is an extremely emotional issue, and we must take extra care not to escalate the situation. Remember that there are honorable people on both sides of this debate, and we have absolutely no right to physically harm our fellow citizens or their property.
Treating others respectfully does not mean that we can't fervently share our views. As Americans, it is our right to use our voices in a clear, confident manner to question and influence the decisions of our elected officials. In fact, it is our duty.
Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society
The Axiom Of Respect Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior
By Treating Themselves And Others Respectfully
And Respecting Only Those Who Earn It
Racial profiling and discrimination are inexcusable and continue to be serious issues in America, and we know that as whites we can never fully understand how it feels to be African American. However, after reviewing the facts of the case, it appears to us that (unlike the case of Dallas Police Officer Robert Powell and Ryan Moats) race did not influence Cambridge Police Sgt. James Crowley's actions in the incident with Professor Henry Louis "Skip" Gates Jr., and while there are many things to be learned from this incident, one that is not receiving the attention it deserves is the value of loyalty and the importance of standing up for what is right in the midst of opposition.
In today's world, we don't often have the opportunity to see loyalty in action. In fact, many of us would find it challenging to remember a time when numbers of individuals stood up for someone they believed in to those more powerful and popular. Magna Sententia defines loyalty as the quality of faithfulness and steadfast allegiance, and fortunately for all of us, Cambridge law enforcement officers have provided a magnificent example in their support for Sgt. Crowley:
Far too often, when we see injustice, we find it easier to keep silent for fear of negative repercussions. Listening to these officers stand up for their friend and fellow officer during a time when he is being falsely accused and disparaged in many national media outlets is a wonderful model for us to follow when we witness injustice in our own lives: Let's not be afraid to express our allegiance when we know someone else is on the receiving end of unfairness.
We commend the brave, loyal officers who came to Sgt. Crowley's defense, and thank them for their service to their community and especially for their character.
Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society
The Axiom Of Respect Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior
By Treating Themselves And Others Respectfully
And Respecting Only Those Who Earn It
"Hundreds of leaders from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community gathered in the East Room of the White House Monday to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the launch of the gay rights movement." ("Obama Works To Address Concerns Among Gay Supporters") In his remarks, President Obama assured the LGBT Community that he and his administration fully understand their position and will continue to champion their rights:
Now this struggle, I don't need to tell you, is incredibly difficult, although I think it's important to consider the extraordinary progress that we have made. There are unjust laws to overturn and unfair practices to stop. And though we've made progress, there are still fellow citizens, perhaps neighbors or even family members and loved ones, who still hold fast to worn arguments and old attitudes; who fail to see your families like their families; and who would deny you the rights that most Americans take for granted. And I know this is painful and I know it can be heartbreaking.
And yet all of you continue, leading by the force of the arguments you make but also by the power of the example that you set in your own lives -- as parents and friends, as PTA members and leaders in the community. And that's important, and I'm glad that so many LGBT families could join us today. For we know that progress depends not only on changing laws but also changing hearts. And that real, transformative change never begins in Washington.
Every American must realize that the people of the LGBT Community are important members of all of our neighborhoods and schools, local governments and volunteer services, churches and synagogues; they, like all Americans, deserve equal rights and treatment. Magna Sententia specifies that we treat all people respectfully, and on this special anniversary, please take the time to remember and reach out to those you love who are in part of the LGBT Community. Let them know how much you appreciate their struggle, and ask how you can be of support.
If you do not know anyone in this Community, visit your local LGBT advocate center and offer to volunteer wherever they need help. When you do, you will meet some of the most kind, compassionate individuals you have ever met, and you will have an increased understanding of the difficulties and discrimination they face. Knowing them personally will help you put yourself in their place, and you will see that they are just people asking to be treated with the same respect afforded to every other member of our society.
We applaud President Obama for his words of support, and it is our hope that all citizens of our country will open their hearts to the LBGT Community.
Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society
The Axiom Of Respect Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior
By Treating Themselves And Others Respectfully
And Respecting Only Those Who Earn It
Yesterday, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin formally accepted David Letterman's apology for making an inappropriate joke about her teenage daughter on his show two weeks ago ("Palin Accepts Letterman's Apology"):
"One awkward moment for Sarah Palin at the Yankee game, during the seventh inning, her daughter was knocked up by Alex Rodriguez." The joke seemed directed at Palin's 18-year-old daughter Bristol, who is an unwed mother. However, it was Palin's 14-year-old daughter, Willow, who accompanied the governor to [the Yankee game]. Letterman later explained he had confused the two daughters and had Bristol in mind when he made the joke, but Palin interpreted it as directed at Willow.
Palin felt that Letterman's joke was in reality a "degrading comment about a young woman" and expressed her concern that this type of remark contributes to "young girls especially hav[ing] such low self-esteem in America." She asked "the public to rise up in opposition," and some of her supporters "have called for Letterman's firing."
Personally, we are not sure that we would go so far as to have Letterman fired, but we think his "joke" was certainly in poor taste. Our society has long forgotten the importance of treating others respectfully, and on many occasions, comedians go too far with their humor. Letterman should have known better than to make either Bristol or Willow the punch line of a sexually-charged joke.
As a society, we need to reevaluate what we consider funny: Teens and young adults have a difficult enough time growing up in today's stressful world, and the last thing Bristol or Willow need is some comedian making fun of them in front of the entire country.
Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society
The Axiom Of Respect Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior
By Treating Themselves And Others Respectfully
And Respecting Only Those Who Earn It
With the birth of Thomas Beatie's second child, it is important to remember to treat Beatie and his wife, Nancy, respectfully, regardless of your feelings about them. According to Magna Sententia, we treat others respectfully whether we actually respect them (hold them in esteem) or not.
As you may recall, the Beaties gave birth to their first child, a daughter named Susan, on June 29, 2008, garnering a great deal of both positive and negative attention throughout the world. To fully appreciate Thomas and Nancy Beatie and their situation, please see our previous article featuring his transition and their history together, "Treat The 'Pregnant Man' Respectfully, Even If You Disagree With His Choices."
Due to so much misinformation and judgment, it bears repeating that transsexualism is not about sexual activity or sexual orientation. It is a medical condition in which the physical sex of a person's body does not match the gender of his or her brain. Transsexual people do not choose to be transsexual; they are born transsexual. If you ever have the opportunity to meet a transgender individual, you will see for yourself the tremendous courage and strength this community has, as well as the kindness and sensitivity they possess because they have had to endure so much.
Considering the extensive coverage of Beatie's pregnancies and births, he has an enormous responsibility to the transgender community to handle himself with grace and understanding because unfortunately, many in our society will judge all transgender individuals by his actions. For this reason, in our previous article, we expressed the hope that the Beaties would always "conduct themselves in an exemplary fashion," and to this date, they have, and we commend them for this.
We congratulate Thomas and Nancy Beatie on the birth of their little boy, and we wish them many years of happiness together as they raise and enjoy their children. Additionally, it is our hope that America is kind to this young family and treats the Beaties respectfully, the way all of our fellow citizens deserve to be treated.
Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society
