Unless you take responsibility for your own thoughts, words and, most importantly, your DEEDS-you cannot be a moral person.
Escaping responsibility is impossible even if you manipulate cunningly to achieve your ends. Why, because the nature of ethical standing
is facing the effects you have caused and owning up.
There is no need to explain the difference between saying you apologize as a token gesture when faced with someone you've harmed and
the real heartfelt contrition of one who makes amends, pays restitution and offers service on behalf of the injured victim.
And yet, historically, there have individuals and whole societies who contrived to escape moral responsibility by scape-goating.
Yes, placing blame on others is the act of moral cowardice whereby pointing to an innocent third party becomes the means of escape.
It was even incorporated into rituals such as human sacrifice!
The evil deeds were merely SPOKEN over the innocent human before the slaughter AS IF a magical transfer could actually take place!
Then the innocent victim was murdered for the wish-fulfillment to become OFFICIAL. Superstitious minds were perfectly at peace because
they convinced themselves ACTUAL guilt and responsibility had been expunged by murder.
As societies became more aware, conscious and rational it became necessary to justify the very INjustice of such rituals.
The next step was to incorporate into the blood ritual sacrifice a COMMAND by deity that such an arrangement be authorized and approved
from the spirit realm! Yet more scape-goating! In effect: WE have no choice but to obey our deity and particpate in this ritual murder!
The passage of time through eras of human civilization took the notion of ESCAPE graducally from the burning of animals and the pouring out of blood to the use of innocent virgins to appease the invisible deity.
A great relief for all concerned but no sense of shame attached.
Perhaps this is why the idea embedded within christianity makes it perfectly acceptable to accept the murder of Jesus as a way
escaping responsibility for millions worldwide for the last two thousand years.
There is no morality in refusing to face the effects of your wrongdoing by scapegoating. But, the ritual gives the mind of the one accepting
the arrangement the necessary sense of cleansing.
I BROKE IT--BUT, I DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT must be the sign at the christian version of Pottery Barn.
I saw a bumper sticker on an old car at a junkyard yesterday: Christians aren't perfect--just forgiven.
How snide.
Sort of like, "I robbed a bank and let Jesus serve the time."
Aren't they really saying, "I'm glad Jesus got murdered because I get a free pass."