Hi Maurice, I've given your post some thought and have come up with this...
Obviously, definitions can hamstring our conversation regarding selfishness or unselfishness, so perhaps we're using the wrong word? Instead why don't we try using the word "service" or "servant" instead?
I would suggest the motivation behind what America does, in many ways, is as a "servant leader".
The idea of servant runs deep in the Judeo-Christian heritage. In fact, references to it appear in the bible over a thousand times. It may not be chic today to say this, but America is still predominately a Judeo-Christian nation.
Regardless of your religious background, you'll have to admit Jesus was a leader. I believe he is the only religious leader who actually formed a management team and hired motivated inexperienced people to run his organization. Jesus continually asked questions like "How do I become first? "Who is the greatest", his responses were consistent "If anyone want to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all".
"Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is the least among all is the greatest". He washed the feet of others, and told his management team to set the example and do the same for others. "No servant is greater than his master, nor is the messenger greater than the one who sent him" were some of the things he said.
Once his disciples got his vision, he wanted them to go out and coach, support, facilitate and encourage others to do the same. This spirit of service is part of the culture and fabric of our society. Being a servant has transcended our nation into the leader of the world. Therefore, it is no coincidence, that the largest private charities directly helping other people, were begun by deeply religious people from the United States.
So, when there is a catastrophe Americans unselfishly rush to help.
When there is famine, we form private organizations to distribute food.
Where there is war, we attempt ways of seeking and keeping the peace.
Where there is suffering, we want to end it.
Where there is no liberty, no justice, and no freedom. We want to change it and sacrifice our most precious gift of all, our lives, in the cause of this service.
Today, America is performing a great service to the people of Iraq, Afghanistan and the greater Middle East. We're serving the most basic of their needs, to be free of torture and barbarity, and be able free to chart their own course in this world.
This mission is aligned with our most basic cultural values of service to mankind. It is why we lead when others are unwilling, it's part of our "calling", we're inspired when we serve. |
