What guides you

  Consequence is the force that guides our moral compass. Whether that consequence is a matter of civil authority or your own belief system, it is consequence that moves that needle. That is my thinking on that anyway. There are those proposing quite the opposite as a social theory. They are the ones saying deterrents do not work, only rewards move the needle. Those people are always the ones saying we shouldn't impose capital punishment on anyone for any reason. That we, as a society, have no right to do that. They proclaim that it isn't a deterrent according to their surveys. How many were asked? Would you still have murdered and dismembered that individual or committed that mass shooting if you knew you would get the death penalty? Would that have made you rethink your choice? 

  Every major religion in the world teaches consequences. Granted I'm no theologian, no expert on world religions, but that does appear to be the gist of things. Behaviors are rewarded or punished in various ways. Are you going to heaven or achieving nirvana? Religions teach a moral code, a compass provides the direction to travel, to follow that code. It is the strength of belief driving that compass. In todays Christian teachings, at least here in America, the leanings are more toward forgiveness and non-judgement a slight shift in the direction of that compass from when I was younger. Yes, I was told hell was a real place and I would go there for non-compliance with the laws of God. It is a phycological force to be reckoned with. It doesn't always work and that is why we have civil law, man's laws. Man's law were at first designed to prevent undesirable behaviors, today they are designed more to allow them.

  Then you have to factor in the litigators. Those that are the go-betweens. Whether they are priests shamans or attorneys they serve the same function. They either prevent or enable the application of consequences, determining the severity or leniency of the same. They plea their cases to a higher authority that holds the final judgement. Those that advocate for the full imposition of the penalty are very unpopular, well with the ones being accused anyway. Those advocating for leniency are often hailed as the righteous ones, the social justice warriors, by the ones that haven't suffered any injury. 

 The thing about force is that it has to be applied continuously and in the same direction. It is only effective when applied in that fashion. Quit applying the force and the motion stops. Apply the force in a different direction, and the motion goes in that direction. In my estimation the reliability and direction of force has become so unstable as to not have much consequence. That has happened in the church, and in the civil courts across the land. You just never know anymore. What was once a mortal sin is perfectly fine and is being supported by the church and the same is true with civil litigation. There is always a "second" chance even when it comes to second chances! You really have no idea where, when or how the force will be applied, if ever. 

 So just how do we, as a society, establish that moral compass? The founding fathers expressed that as the reason governments are established among men. To "secure these rights" life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. No national religion was established as a "moral " code to be followed as in Islamic countries. There is no doubt that the founding fathers and there contemporaries felt that the majority of the people held some belief in a higher power. That a higher power would ultimately judge their actions here on earth and pass judgement on them. They felt, for the majority, this would serve as deterrent enough, but they were also not naive. It was determined that laws would be created by the people, hence our republic was formed. Our laws are not established by the word of a single entity, either human or a deity. Those laws define the moral compass of America. The US code alone contains 54 titles with the general and permanent laws. No one knows the exact number of laws in the United States as they are constantly in flux and so numerous. I'd suggest the compass is spinning like a top! And that is why things are in chaos. Just my thought.