When speaking of first and second languages, people automatically assume that they are referring to a form of communication, a vocabulary. However, Bellah et al. refers to first and second languages when describing the moral vocabulary that Americans have, which I found very interesting. Bellah et al. suggest that the first language of American individualism, or of this moral vocabulary, is a sense of religious values that focus on the community and the self. People consider situations and then make decisions based on what is best for their self. Even if that person decides to volunteer, an act that many people would say is actually selfless, there is still a strong sense of doing something to benefit the self. When asked why a person volunteered, typical answers can include "it felt good to give some of my time/skills to others" or "I felt bad for them, so I had to help" or "I had a sense of obligation (from a group they are a part of)." In each case, the real reason people decide to volunteer is because it makes them feel good, so there is some sort of personal gain involved. Bellah et al. also suggest that this first language of moral vocabulary is universal in America. Everybody has this sense of doing things that will benefit them in some way down the road.
The second language of moral vocabulary are actual religions, such as Lutheran, Islam, Catholicism, etc. However, it is interesting to note that some of these religions have taken this American individualistic vocabulary and integrated it into religion. An example of this are religious youth groups. Some churches will form these youth groups, with promises of taking trips or making things. For some children, the only reason they are a part of these youth groups is because they will be getting something out of it. They put in the time going to church and learning about a particular religion, but at the end of the day their only interest is what they are going to get out of it for themselves. This suggests that the idea that the second languages are derived from the first language is plausible, because people are still looking at how being a part of a religion/church will benefit themselves.
I think this is an interesting point, and something I thought about during class earlier this week. If people are so concerned with getting something out of everything they do, do you believe altruism exists at all? If so, in what circumstances?
ReplyDeleteWould this preoccupation with being rewarded for your actions make religions themselves (the second-languages) simply created to get something out of the world? Perhaps even out of other church-goers? Just some thoughts, I'd be curious as to what Bellah might say about that.
This comment led me to wondering if Bellah would consider groups, such as companies, teams, schools, even religions to live by this rule of languages, where they are firstly considered with the groups "self". For example, anybody who represents a company and wants their company to succeed considers how their actions will impact the company. Im curious as to what Bellah would have to say to that.
ReplyDelete