Civility
Civility is a set of behaviors that recognize differences and build respect. Civility is demonstrated through self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship management, communications, growth and problem solving.
Civility is driven by the RICH RAP values of responsibility, intentionality, constructiveness, human dignity, respect, acceptance and public-spiritedness.
These values are essential components of the major world religions, including Christianity.
Responsibility
Responsibility for one’s choices and actions is central to Christianity.
To God: have faith, obey, repent and account for your life.
To Self: grow spiritually, resist sin, develop self-control and seek salvation.
To Others: Show love, serve, choose wisely and build relationships.
To Family: Provide for all needs.
Accountability: Be responsible for thoughts, actions and results. Listen and repent.
Action: Faith must be applied.
Stewardship: Use God-given time, talents and treasures for God’s purposes.
Reflection of Christ: Become more Christ-like through a life of holiness, love and service.
Intentionality
Intentionality is a purposeful, God-aligned way of living where believers pursue a life modeled after Christ.
Following a purposeful God: because God is intentional in creating the world and men.
Aligning with the divine will: surrendering personal desires to God’s will.
Power of the Holy Spirit: relying on the Holy Spirit rather than self-will.
Living with the end in mind: live with eternity in focus, prioritizing spiritual growth, character and service.
Active daily life: working for God through vocations, tasks and relationships.
Constructiveness
Christianity focuses on edification, building up believers and the community through encouraging speech, wise actions and positive creation.
Edification: build up or strengthen others spiritually.
Helpful speech: speak only what builds others up and brings grace.
Discernment: prayerfully determine if actions are truly helpful spiritually.
Truth in Love: offering criticism gently, motivated by the desire to help others grow spiritually.
Creation: responsible for honoring and using God’s good creation.
Human Dignity
Christianity believes that every person possesses [infinite potential] worth as a special creation of God.
Jeremiah 1:5: before I formed you in the womb I knew you.
Isaiah 43:1: I have called you by your name. You are mine.
Image of God: all people are created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-7).
Incarnation: God became human, fully man, as Jesus Christ.
Redemption: humans are worth the price of God’s only son, Jesus.
Inalienable and equal: given to all, not by group or merit.
Three greats: valuable humans are called to love neighbors, share the gospel, act justly and love mercy.
Protection of life: sanctity of life is beyond human choice.
Protect the vulnerable: poor, refugees, migrants, widows and prisoners.
Catholic social teaching: human dignity informs views on economic justice, labor rights and humanitarian aid.
Human rights advocacy: modern secular “rights” view is derived from Christian teachings.
Respect
Christianity roots respect in human dignity. It is viewed as a command rather than an earned privilege, focusing on humility, love, and treating others better than oneself.
Image of God: showing respect to others honors God.
Commanded love: proper respect to everyone, including opponents, authorities, and believers.
Humility and selflessness: outdo one another in showing honor.
Value of dignity: respect is based only on intrinsic value given by God, not by social status, merit or agreement.
Reflection of Christ: Jesus showed compassion to the outcasts, the vulnerable, the weak and chose common men and women as disciples to build His church.
Acceptance
Christianity says that all people are created in God’s image, loved unconditionally, and invited into community regardless of background. Jesus exemplified this by engaging with marginalized groups and individuals, and Scripture emphasizes complete equality through spiritual unity.
Radical inclusion by Jesus: breaking social norms to engage outcasts, sinners and the “unclean”.
Theological equality: all are equal in Christ (Galatians 3:28).
Commandment to Love: Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39); all of your neighbors.
Welcome the Stranger: the Old Testament repeatedly preaches that foreigners and the marginalized must be treated the same as the native born.
Community of Grace: all individuals are accepted into the community of faith and grace.
Public-Spiritedness
Christianity requires members to act with love, justice, and integrity in civic life. Serving the community, promoting good laws, and engaging in public discourse reflect God’s love and desire for the common good.
Love God, Love Neighbor: The great commandment requires service to society.
Identity in Christ: A child of God, redeemed by and connected with Christ, belongs to the community and as a “new” person willingly serves it.
Salt and Light: Called to be a positive influence through and for the community.
Morality: Actions are right or wrong. Individuals can/must do “right”.
Civic Engagement: Voting, holding office, debating and advocating are civic responsibilities.
Common Good: Building relations with others to work for the common good is required.
Positive Witness: Contribute so that others will see the value of “following Jesus”.
Summary
We live in a place and time where Civility has declined as a habit or social norm. It is necessary for our social, economic and political communities, IMHO. We need to rebuild Civility as a habit, norm and ideal. We can do this for practical reasons.
Or we might be motivated by loftier reasons.
Or we might embrace Civility because it is a logical consequence of our religious beliefs.
Christianity is a positive force in the lives of 2 billion people. It is clearly consistent with and supports the 7 Civility values.
“Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” is recorded in 3 of the gospels. Christians are warned that they must distinguish between the material and spiritual, the personal and the community, the practical and the ideal. Some have read this line to encourage Christians to withdraw from practical and civic life in favor of a private, ascetic, withdrawn spiritual life.
Most Christian theologians emphasize the duality of Christ as “fully man, fully God”. Unlike many religions, Christianity embraces the material, natural side of man as being created by God. Genesis records that God concluded his creation and man were “very good”, despite the fall and imperfections. This perspective encourages us to go “all in” as individuals, spouses, parents, stewards, fishers, builders, carpenters, teachers, servants, prophets, nurses, and participants in community.
We promote Civility as a set of behaviors, values, habits, norms and expectations; NOT as a replacement for religion, but as a secular framework for managing community in a world of 8 billion people.
I personally believe that there are common moral values that God has revealed to men in various places, ways and times.
I don’t see a groundswell of support for this view or for Christianity alone, so I promote the secular alternative of Civility as a “least common denominator” way for our “kingdom of man” to function effectively on behalf of the 8 billion children of God.
Good News 