Can You Teach Ethics
I was recently honored to teach Ethics to fifth graders at my liberal and welcoming Unitarian Universalist Church. It’s such a wonderful, loving, supportive and accepting community. We tend to think along the same lines, and because we fight social injustice, most of us are politically active at least in our democratically selected focus projects each year. I love the idea of being responsible for your own actions, for caring about your everyday actions and behaviors instead of being concerned with what will happen when you die. We talk of our spiritual leaders including, of course, Jesus, but in a tangible, relatable way, when he was a man, a human like all of us. We ask questions and challenge questions dating back thousands of years. We encourage honesty and discussions. So in a major way, I act as a guide, a facilitator supplying information and resources and encourage discussion and debate. The kids aren’t necessarily being “taught” ethics. They are learning about ethics and morals and values.
One of my favorite parts of the UU church as its so fondly called, or in the case of my local UU, “All Souls“, the children play a central theme in our Sunday worship and our activities. The vision of the religious education is to create a “safe, joyful, welcoming environment where children and youth engage in interactive religious learning. Children and youth explore their Unitarian Universalist identity as part of an intergenerational community in worship, fellowship, and social justice activities.”1 The covenant we agreed on as our guide in religious education is the one I introduced the first day of Ethics class for the 5th grade students:
- Everyone matters
- Be kind
- You are free to ask life’s big questions
- Offer that same freedom to others
- Everyone gets a vote
- Work for peace and fairness
- Take care of our earth
The children are encouraged to ask questions about anything and everything-no bounds; God, death, life, nature,politics….any of the big questions kids[we all] have. We want them to develop their own set of personal moral standards and hopefully develop a healthy conscience. They share their thoughts, experiences, joys and sorrows, and listen to others and offer their support and compassion. This helps build confidence , compassion and empathy for others situations. The “Amazing Grace” curriculum for the 5th graders focused on moral and ethical issues. We hope our students develop stronger values and decision-making skills that take others into consideration. Personal responsibility and facing the consequences of our actions comes up often during the year.
This got me thinking about some of the little things in life that happen every day that many people never give a second thought about, but often make another person’s day harder or less joyful. How different are our consciousness? Things like getting into the 10 or under express line at the grocery store knowing you have at least 15 items. Or being the last person in a long line who runs to the newly opened register instead of letting the people who have waited go first
I see acts of kindness everyday, which often bring tears to my eyes. I can also well up seeing the callousness of people to each other. I try to focus on the good, and work harder on my patience, tolerance and compassion, but some days I get so discouraged and frustrated, especially lately since the election. Everyone seems on edge.
You’ll see a little poll below, only 4 questions. Not big moral choices, but little, everyday life choices.Take a minute and answer honestly. You don’t need to add your name. We’re just looking to see how people think and act. Like I said, the UU church encourages asking questions and figuring out life’s challenges. Research is part of that game plan. Please check off the boxes you can say “yes” to. Thanks.
English Made EZ 