What is a "high road preacher"?

This is a term a few fellow bloggers and I have coined.  This happens when someone imposes or projects their personal standards of morality onto others.  There are many different types of high road preachers.

We are all, to an extent, high road preachers.  That is, we believe our standards for morality apply to all.  In a sense, we all have our own unique moral philosophy.

As I have stated that there are many different moral theories in previous blogs.  I contend that each person lives by their own unique philosophy  - and no, I cannot claim this applies to every person - this is merely a generalization.

I have seen faith minded argue Divine Command and Moral Relativism in the same breath.  I have seen Prima Facie argue Utilitarian theory in one sitting.  Probability suggests that the very philosophy we maintain as individuals are also held as expectations for society in general and thus, formulate our opinions of others.

For example, the Marine puppy tosser (I refuse to show the video - it makes me sick).  How did that make you feel and why?  I have heard both defenses and cases against this issue.  Personally, violence makes me sick anymore.  I have seen enough to put it behind me.  Yet let us examine how it is we have come to evaluate these issues.  In different societies, cruelty to animals is accepted - often argued with "Divine Command."

Exhibit A: Dogs and Cats Skinned Alive In China.  This is most likely justified through Egoism.  Capitalism can also be linked to egoism* (refer to exhibit C)

          B: Ritual Animal Sacrifice in the bible (Divine Command):

1. God gives detailed instructions for performing ritualistic animal sacrifices. such bloody rituals must be important to God, judging from the number of times that he repeats their instructions. Indeed the entire first nine chapters of Leviticus can be summarized as follows: Get an animal, kill it, sprinkle the blood around, cut the dead animal into pieces, and burn it for a "sweet savor unto the Lord." Chapters 1 - 9

   C: The link between capitalism and egoism
   

 And there are many more example how otherwise immoral acts can indeed be justified by some measure.  My argument is situated in the premise of moral relativism.  I know many people do not like this - it makes them uncomfortable.  By definition; however, morality is relative.  We allow things to happen in our society today that we may rail against in the near future.  For example: WAR.  War is a huge issue with me, but it can be, has been, and will be justified by these different moral theories on a cumulative level. 

Let's take a look at some quotes from current influential leaders in our society today and the differnt forms of justification they use:

Pat Robertson:

"We have allowed rampant secularism and occult, et cetera, to be broadcast on television. We have permitted somewhere in the neighborhood of 35 to 40 million unborn babies to be slaughtered in our society. We have a Court that has essentially stuck its finger in God's eye and said, 'We're going to legislate you out of the schools, we're going to take your Commandments from off the courthouse steps in various states, we're not going to let little children read the Commandments of God, we're not going to let the Bible be read -- no prayer in our schools.' We have insulted God at the highest levels of our government. And, then we say 'why does this happen?' Well, why its happening is that God Almighty is lifting His protection from us." (in response to the 9/11 attacks)

[Divine Command]

George Bush:

A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.
America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.
Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we responded with the best of America with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.

[Prima Facie] *typical politician lingo

Karl Rove:

"We face a brutal enemy who will kill the innocent for one purpose and that is to gain control of the Middle East and to use the leverage of oil to bring down the West, and to attack us again."

[not even based on a moral theory - this is an appeal to fear supported with unsubstantiated Prima Facie]

Where am I going with this and what does it have to do with the "high road preacher"?

My point is that there are so many different perspectives on morality with no stick to measure actual morality.  Who defines it?  You? Me? Pat Robertson? Do we speak for everyone in every walk of life?  There are substantiated arguments for and against peace, killing animals, torture, imprisonment, lying, stealing, adultry...ect.

There is no "god" here to correct us - and even if there was, would we agree with this "god"? I, for one, say if it were the "god" from the Quran, holy bible, book of Momon say hell no!  There is no absolute.  The only absolute is your own unique contention - which is highly subject to change.  Therefore, how is it that you measure the justices and injustices of the world other than with your own stick?  Whether that stick you measure with was instilled by public institution, parental figures, church....who says?  What exactly is "the high road," and what authority do we have to correct the world as we see fit in every miniscule detail?

I argue, none but our own. That high road you judge others by is none other than your own ideal.