PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

September 29, 2024

THE DIGNITY INDEX

UNITE was founded in 2018 to ease divisions, prevent violence, and solve problems in the United States.  In October 2022 they introduced “The Dignity Index.”  The index scores distinct phrases along an eight-point scale from contempt to dignity.  Lower scores (1-4) reflect divisive language while higher scores (5-8) reflect language grounded in dignity.  UNITE uses the index to score political speech.  To learn more about the index contact unite.us.

Divisive Language

Level one escalates from violent words to violent actions.  It’s a combination of feeling the other side is less than human calling for or approving violence.

Level two accuses the other side not just of doing bad or being bad, but promoting evil.

Level three attacks the other side’s moral character, not jus their capabilities or competence.

Level four mocks and attacks the other side’s background, their beliefs, their commitment, their competence, their performance.

Language Grounded In Dignity

Level five listens to the other side’s point of view and respectfully explains their own goals, views, and plans.

Level six sees it as a welcome duty to work with the other side to find common ground and act on it.

Level seven wants to fully engage the other side – discussing the deepest disagreements they have to see what beak throughs they can find.

Level eight: I can see myself in every human being, I refuse to hate anyone, and I offer dignity to everyone.

In Galatians 5:19-24 (see also James 3:14-18) can be found what might be described as the two extremes of an Abundant Life Index.

Works of the Flesh

Fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these.

Fruits of the Spirit

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The Dignity Index provides an eight-point scale for assessing discourse in the public and political spheres.  It provides a clue to understanding the source of all the dissension and discord that we find concerning this year’s elections.  The index can also be of help to the individual person as he or she strives to live more according to the Spirit rather than the works of the flesh.  May we all strive to think about “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Philippians 4:8b).”

(Comments may be sent to davidh15503@embarqmail.com.)