Dr. Bahaa Helmy Writes: Values and Morals Are the Hallmark of Advanced Societies

There is no doubt that many negative changes have affected the degree to which society holds on to noble values and morals in recent years. This appears clearly in public behavior and in some phenomena and conduct that have spread in the Egyptian street, such as "the absence of certain Egyptian values that used to distinguish Egyptians from others, such as "gallantry, chivalry, manliness, respect for women, modesty, respect for elders, honesty and integrity at work, clean hands, decency of speech, respect for the law, helping others, respect for other opinions, respect and esteem for neighbors, loyalty, tolerance, love and other noble virtues and morals, above all respect and esteem for parents, siblings, children and family, and love of the homeland". If morals are the principles and rules that govern human behavior, or the ability of individuals to distinguish between good and evil and to practice virtues and noble deeds, then morals are the hallmark of advanced, civilized societies: wherever there are morals, there are civilization, progress, refinement and civilized human behavior that stands as a protective shield against any decline or collapse of values. Morals are the real image of the collective consciousness. Some attribute the causes of the erosion of values and morals in society to putting personal interest above values and morals, a weak sense of belonging to the homeland, abandoning hard work, the low level of education and culture, and the absence of democracy. Others see it as one of the effects and products of globalization and capitalist trends that put the values of money above morals, in addition to the dominance of the international information network, "the internet", which has led to the spread of certain models of moral values and certain patterns of behavior and taste among young people and children. The rising cost of living has also kept parents busy with work and weakened family bonds, and the absence of the role of religious and media institutions has had a negative effect on Egyptians' fundamentals and shaken their trust in one another, leading to some erosion of the moral system. Some point to the negative effects that accompanied the events of January 2011 and their impact on values and morals, such as "protesting and demanding wages without work, deliberately insulting national and religious symbols and managers and superiors at work, insolence and insults and posting comments against morals and religious and social values, spreading a culture of violence and turning stadiums into arenas of battle and killing, while trying to convince themselves and others that what they are doing is for the sake of freedom and the defense of right and virtue, whereas these acts are crimes for which the law and history will hold them accountable. It may be the policies of colonial powers and international and regional alliances to divide targeted countries by destroying values, morals and fundamentals so that chaos prevails, creating an environment conducive to achieving their aims and ambitions. Giving up morals and values for any reason is tantamount to giving up human dignity and tolerant religious values. Re-establishing values and morals does not come through words or slogans but through practice, example, role models and the rule of law. Values and morals are the foundation for reforming society, and the rule of law means that the State, its institutions and the people are all subject to the umbrella of law and justice without discrimination, while confronting corruption and deviation in their various forms and holding to fair and swift account any crimes committed out of instincts or desires. Building the State is accompanied by restoring our fine values and morals, in which the banners of love and sincerity fly high, rejecting violence and hatred; carrying out scientific studies to address domestic violence and deal with the phenomenon of street children and verbal violence; respecting others and strengthening the bonds of good relations between people; and committing to respectful sports fandom without insults, foul language or improper acts – so as to heal any social or class rifts and preserve security and safety in an advanced society that is morally, scientifically, culturally, developmentally and economically progressive, building a future worthy of the coming generations.