When You Have Sacred Values ​​

We all have ideas or things that are important to us. Some of these things are so important to us that we give them value. The value increases in importance when several people value the same thing. However, it is sometimes difficult to quantify or exchange the things we value. We call these difficult-to-identify or intangible things sacred values.

Our sacred values ​​must be respected and protected by all. When something becomes a sacred value, it also becomes our moral responsibility to live by that value. The value becomes incomparable with other values. It is impossible to exchange the value for tangible or intangible things.

How are sacred values ​​formed?

There are many ways in which an object or an idea can become a sacred value. However, there are two processes by which values ​​that are sacred to large groups of people become sacred. Both processes start with the perception of a threat.

In the first process, we see how quarrels between two opposing groups can threaten an ideal. This threat will lead a group to place greater emphasis on the ideal so that it becomes a ritual, and therefore it is transformed into a sacred value.

This process divides the world in two, the sacred and the profane. At the same time, the sacred value brings us together with the members of our group, while at the same time separating us from the opposing group.

On the other hand, in process number two, it turns out that the greater a threat, the more rituals the group members will perform. These rituals are related to the sacred value. Group members will perform these rituals more frequently, which strengthens the relationships within the group. In addition, these rituals create the norms of the group.

What effects do sacred values ​​have?

Sacred values ​​influence the decisions we make. Any decision that threatens or goes against our sacred values ​​will be rejected, even if the decision is unproductive or wrong. Sacred values ​​include moral beliefs, which imply codes of conduct. They tell us what is right and what is wrong.

Therefore , we vigorously defend our sacred values, and we use psychological strategies to do this. Some of these strategies include moral outrage and purification. Moral indignation refers to experiencing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral resistance to values ​​that contradict your own sacred values.

On the other hand, moral purification consists of performing symbolic acts that confirm our commitment to sacred value.

The benefits of sacred values

Normally, we like to think that our behavior is rational and that we make decisions where we need to weigh costs and benefits. But many of our decisions are governed by our beliefs and what we perceive to be right and wrong. This is something that happens when it comes to sacred values.

While omitting sacred faith from our decision-making process may be the rational thing to do sometimes, we will not do it.

Despite this , sacred values ​​have some advantages, from an evolutionary perspective. For example, we can not sell a sacred value. Not everything is for sale. This resistance allows us to provide more support to people who share our values.

Likewise, sacred values ​​are timeless. They are always important, no matter the events that happened thousands of years ago. Therefore, we maintain our commitment to that value with other people who share our sacred faith.

Jerusalem as a sacred value

We can find a current example in Jerusalem. This ancient city, which is the center of the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis, has become a sacred value for both groups. Both Israelis and Palestinians see Jerusalem as a crucial part of their identities. Because Jerusalem is a sacred value, the offer of money against giving up the city is not an option.

When President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, he threatened the city’s status. The Palestinians saw this as a threat to one of their sacred values. Therefore, they rejected this idea. This rejection has manifested itself in violence.

All Donald Trump did was maintain the conflict. If he sought to resolve the conflict, it was certainly not the right way to do it.

On the other hand, one way of resolving unmanageable conflicts may be to realize potential symbolic submissions, without any significant benefit. However, the symbolic submissions must acknowledge the values ​​of the other group and let their voices be heard.