In a recent Breakpoint column, Chuck Colson highlighted an example of civility in action. He cited a teacher who countered vulgar behavior by boys in his class by modeling respectful etiquette toward women. The example had its desired effect and produced a marked change in the boys’ behavior and attitudes toward girls.
For followers of Christ in the twenty first century, civility is essential to navigating the 7 Global Currents. Civility is needed as a foundation for Christians seeking to practice Mediation. Civility is required for Mutuality, as we demonstrate respect for people whom we may have previously disregarded. With the Global Currents of “Monoculture” and “Migration,” the mixing and collision of different cultures can provide flashpoints if our attitudes are not leavened with civility.
Colson cited Arnold Toynbee:
One clear sign of a civilization’s decline is when the elites—… the “dominant minority”— begin mimicking the vulgarity and promiscuity exhibited by society’s bottom-dwellers. The result: The entire culture is vulgarized.
Christians are called to be in the world and not of it. How can the church respond in a culture where civility seems to be disappearing?
To see the full quote go to: http://www.informz.net/pfm/archives/archive_957710.html
I think that the church has a responsibility to instill a deep appreciation of the worth and dignity of every human being, no matter how rich or poor, no matter how educated or uneducated because this is what Jesus would do. He says (paraphrased) that when you feed a person who is hungry or give a drink to someone who is thirsty, you are doing it as if it were to him. To add to your example of treating a woman with civility, when a woman is treated with respect and honored, not treated as an object as happens in the most liberal and most illiberal societies, the society changes. This love and honor empowers people, men and women. But in order to do that, we have to tap into the source of love (the Holy Spirit) and know that we ourselves are valued beyond all measure. Without that, we will always relapse back to the norms around us, both in terms of how we view ourselves and how we treat others.
I love your point–that objectification of women happens in both progressive and backwards societies. You note that, when respect is shown to women, “the society changes.” That’s actually the premise behind microenterprise and other ministries I’ve seen around the world, which provide stability and civility to communities by empowering and resourcing women.