The
other day I wrote a blog in which I mentioned that in the United
States we had much rather attribute our actions to pragmatism rather
than righteousness, and that this ethos reflects Christ’s
admonition not to parade righteousness—which when done tends to
immediately transmute into self-righteousness (a form of hatred).
One
of the most powerful arguments against evil is that it is ineffective
and simply doesn’t work in the end. It is just too great a burden
to bear—which is precisely what MLK said about racial hatred:
l’ve
seen too much hate to want to hate, myself, and I've seen hate on the
faces of too many sheriffs, too many white citizens‘ councilors,
and too many Klansmen of the South to want to hate, myself; and every
time l see it, I say to myself, hate is too great a burden to bear.**
The
most elegant argument for morality is its pragmatism—it is what
works and endures—it is in the end what's most effective and
efficient. Again as MLK said, “we must finally believe in the
ultimate morality of the universe, and believe that all reality
hinges on moral foundations.” Quoting Carlyle he said “No
lie can live forever.” Thus, if one chooses not be believe in
God, at least one should believe in moral laws and principles out of
practical self-interest. Even if one does not know the creator of
the game we are in, it obtains to one's benefit to know the rules.
**
From: A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of
Martin Luther King, Jr. “A
Christmas Sermon On Peace”.
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