The Axiom Of Respect Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior
By Treating Themselves And Others
Respectfully And Respecting
Only Those Who Earn It
Unbeknownst to me, America is currently engaged in a “war” on Christmas. Today in CNN’s “Heated Debate Again Over ‘War On Christmas’ Claims,” I read that our country is apparently divided into two hostile camps: those who feel the holiday season has become too secular (the “pro-Christmas side” according to Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council) vs. those who say “holiday season” rather than “Christmas season” because they do not want to offend fellow Americans who do not celebrate Christmas (the anti-Christmas side??).
Our elected officials, ever cognizant of what is truly critical to our nation’s success in these trying times, have made sure to take action on this issue: “Republican Rep. Henry Brown of South Carolina introduced a resolution this month asking that the House express support for the use of Christmas symbols and traditions and frown on any attempt to ban references to the holiday.” As imperative as this fight is, it is no wonder that the battle for Christmas has left our Congress without enough time to do anything else, like actually read proposed legislation before voting on it. Oh well.
Here’s a thought: How about we all stop fighting amongst ourselves over religion and start thinking of our country as a collection of unique individuals who all belong to the same great family. Our society is composed of those of many faiths (or no faith), and we each have varying traditions and symbols that are significant to us. None of these differences, however, should overshadow the fact that we are all American. Moreover, if we as a nation hope to successfully overcome present and future obstacles, this must be the tie that binds us, regardless of our religion, race, age, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.
Treating others respectfully, an essential part of Magna Sententia, includes respecting the differences of others. This does not mean that we have to agree with the beliefs and practices of others; it just means that we hold ourselves to a high standard of behavior and are cordial to those around us, even if we don’t agree with them.
Thus, whether you personally prefer “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Hanukkah,” “Happy Kwanzaa,” or “Happy Atheist Kids Get Presents Day,” please try to remember that others may not share your beliefs and what is truly important is a pure spirit of love and kindness, not the specific avenue by which it comes. Also, if someone wishes you a sincere “Merry Christmas,” even though you do not celebrate Christmas, search for the deeper meaning of the message, a wish for your health and happiness. Focus on intent, not word choice.
I hope all of our readers have a wonderful holiday season!
Ellie Sherise
Co-Creator of Magna Sententia
Co-Author of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society
The Axiom Of Respect Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior
By Treating Themselves And Others
Respectfully And Respecting
Only Those Who Earn It
After hearing about one celebrity tantrum after another, Serena Williams’ “tirade” at the U.S. Open pushed me too far, and I hope she did the same for you. (“Serena Williams: ‘I Had Really Just Lost Control’“)
In the past, I was always extremely disappointed when public figures behaved badly, but now I am going to do something about it: I am through with every athlete, actor, musician, or any other public figure who goes on an expletive-laden rant. I am vowing today not to watch, purchase products, or otherwise support anyone who thinks they are above the need to act decently and treat others respectfully.
For a long time, I was a huge fan of Sling Blade, the movie for which Billy Bob Thornton (who also directed and starred in the film) won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Over the years, I heard snippets about his personal life that seemed a bit odd and watched his other films (which were not nearly as good), but I still thought he was a talented artist. Unfortunately, I watched his rude, arrogant radio interview on a Toronto radio station. (“Billy Bob Thornton Makes Waves During Music Interview“) Now, I wouldn’t give one cent to watch or listen to anything Billy Bob acts in or creates. If I see him on television, I turn the channel. To me, he no longer exists.
The same goes for Christian Bale. Unlike Thornton, I never thought Bale was a good actor, but I tolerated him. However, after his profanity-filled tirade aimed at Shane Hurlbut, the director of photography for Terminator: Salvation, you could not pay me enough to watch Bale in any film. (“Bale Apologizes For ‘Terminator’ Tantrum“) He’s gone the way of Billy Bob. They are both disgusting.
Sadly, Serena Williams’ behavior has caused her to meet the same fate: I have always liked her and her sister, but after what she did to the line judge at the U.S. Open, I will never have another good thing to say about her. She is just like all the rest of those self-indulgent, egotistical, Kanye West-like celebrities.
If you feel the same, please join me and stop supporting public figures who are unworthy of respect. Maybe, if we hurt their wallets, they will shape up – or at least go away (which would be my first choice).
Anna Sherise
Co-Creator of Magna Sententia
Co-Author of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society
It is very important for every American to remember September 11th: the devastation of the attacks, those who were lost, those who were injured, and those who helped their fellow man in any way they possibly could.
Ellie Sherise
Co-Creator of Magna Sententia
Co-Author of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society
The Axiom Of Respect Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior
By Treating Themselves And Others
Respectfully And Respecting
Only Those Who Earn It
The rescue of 29-year-old Jaycee Lee Dugard, after she was held captive and repeatedly raped for 18 years by Phillip Garrido, has raised a lot of questions about Stockholm syndrome and the confusing relationship that sometimes occurs between captives and their captors. (“Victims Of Repeated Abuse Suffer Complex Trauma“)
What is Stockholm syndrome? Granted I am not a psychologist, but according to the American Heritage Medical Dictionary, Stockholm syndrome is: “A phenomenon in which a hostage begins to identify with and grow sympathetic to his or her captor.”
Time’s “Stockholm Syndrome” is a very informative article on the condition’s history:
[Stockholm syndrome] was first widely recognized after the Swedish bank robbery that gave it its name. For six days in August 1973, thieves Jan-Erik Olsson and Clark Olofsson held four Stockholm bank employees hostage at gunpoint in a vault. When the victims were released, their reaction shocked the world: they hugged and kissed their captors, declaring their loyalty even as the kidnappers were carted off to jail. Though the precise origin of the term Stockholm syndrome is debated, it is often attributed to remarks during a subsequent news broadcast by the Swedish criminologist and psychiatrist Nils Bejerot, who had assisted the police during the robbery.
The article also mentions many other high profile cases in which Stockholm syndrome, “also known as terror-bonding or traumatic bonding,” seems to have played a part: Patty Hearst helped the Symbionese Liberation Army rob a bank after being kidnapped by them in 1974; Shawn Hornbeck, who was “kidnapped and held captive by pizzeria worker Michael Devlin in 2002 for more than four years, identified himself as Shawn Devlin when he contacted the police to report a stolen bike just 10 months after his abduction”; and Natascha Kampusch was quoted as sympathetic to her captor Wolfgang Priklopil in a documentary, even though he “abducted [her] at age 10 and held [her] for eight years in a windowless cellar.”
Interestingly, while it is not Stockholm syndrome, my experience has shown me that it is not uncommon for abused children to have a similarly confusing relationship with their abusive parents. Oftentimes, these children make excuses to defend their parents’ behavior, try desperately to please their parents, and even go so far as to believe that they deserve the cruel behavior they suffer at the very hands of the people whose duty it is to protect and care for them.
As adults, many abused children continue to allow their parents to demean them, intimidate them, falsely accuse them, and belittle them. Alas, these “adults” can be reduced to acting like children by the mere sound of their parents’ voices. If this is you, please know that you are not alone. Also realize that you don’t have to be afraid of your parents any longer and you can break free from their lifelong grip. It isn’t easy, but you can stand up for yourself.
According to Magna Sententia, parents have no right to treat their children disrespectfully, and whether you are 5 or 65, you have every right to be treated respectfully by the people in your life, including your parents.
Anna Sherise
Co-Creator of Magna Sententia
Co-Author of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society
Disclaimer
Anna Sherise and Ellie Sherise are not licensed or trained healthcare professionals, counselors, or financial advisors. This article is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended to take the place of the care and advice given to you by your physician, counselor, other healthcare professional, or financial advisor. Sherise Media LLC, its members and representatives, specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this article and/or website.
The Axiom Of Responsibility Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior
By Taking Responsibility
For Themselves And Their Children
“Pop singer Chris Brown was sentenced Tuesday to serve five years probation and to spend more than 1,400 hours in ‘labor-oriented service’ for assaulting his pop star girlfriend, Rihanna.” (“Brown Sentenced For Rihanna Assault; Other Incidents Surface“)
Unsurprisingly, a “probation report” revealed that Brown and Rihanna were involved in two previous incidents of domestic violence:
“The first incident occurred in Europe about three months before the present offense,” the report said. “The victim [Rihanna] and the defendant [Brown] were involved in a verbal dispute and the victim [Rihanna] slapped the defendant [Brown]. He responded by shoving her into a wall.”
Another incident happened in January, three weeks before the Hollywood incident, when Brown and Rihanna were visiting her home country of Barbados, the report said.
“The defendant [Brown] and the victim [Rihanna] were visiting Barbados and were driving a Range Rover loaned to them by a local dealership,” the investigator wrote. “They had an argument inside the car. The defendant [Brown] exited and broke the front driver and passenger side windows of the car.”
Often in an abusive relationship, the level of violence escalates. Please be aware of early warning signs (controlling behavior, verbal and emotional abuse), and if you are a victim of domestic violence, seek assistance immediately. There are many safe houses throughout our country that can help you escape your abuser. (The number for the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which is open 24 hours a day in all 50 states, is 1-800-799-SAFE[7233].)
Ellie Sherise
Co-Creator of Magna Sententia
Co-Author of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society
The Axiom Of Respect Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior
By Treating Themselves And Others
Respectfully And Respecting
Only Those Who Earn It
As a woman, I am deeply disappointed with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s response to a student questioner at a town hall meeting in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday (“Question Riles Clinton; Translation Might Have Been Off“):
A male student rose to ask a question about Chinese financial contracts with Congo.
The student asked Clinton what President Obama would think of the deal, but pool reporters in the room said the translator made a mistake, posing the question as what would Bill Clinton think.
Clinton looked surprised when she first heard the translation in the headset, and then sharply replied, “You want me to tell you what my husband thinks? My husband is not the secretary of state, I am. You ask my opinion. I will tell you my opinion; I’m not going to channel my husband.”
Not only was Secretary Clinton’s response extremely rude, it also made it abundantly clear that she has no self-confidence. To many, as a former president, Bill Clinton’s views might be highly relevant in this situation, and if she preferred not to answer the question, all she had to do was say, “I feel uncomfortable speaking for my husband, but I believe. . .”
Moreover, her lack of poise and professionalism make her a terrible ambassador for America. Citizens of other countries judge our nation by our representatives, and on Monday, the citizens of the Congo encountered a seemingly bitter, impolite, self-righteous American Secretary of State, who in my opinion should be ashamed of herself.
To me, it is essential that women in high-profile positions conduct themselves above reproach because their behavior reflects on women in general. Our society has still not reached the point where gender discrimination is no longer an issue, and incompetence on the part of women in politics affects all women, especially those who are working hard every day to make this country great.
Lastly, if I were President Clinton, Secretary Clinton’s outburst would demonstrate to me a lack of respect, and more importantly, love. When we love someone, we don’t mind sharing their opinions with others when it is appropriate. Has Secretary Clinton ever thought that it is an honor both to him and to her that others even care about his opinion?
I think it is time for Secretary Clinton to take a deep breath and get control of herself. She is very influential, and her actions are not doing any of us any favors.
Anna Sherise
Co-Creator of Magna Sententia
Co-Author of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society
The Axiom Of Responsibility Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior
By Taking Responsibility
For Themselves And Their Children
Magna Sententia places a great deal of value on personal responsibility (i.e. including the right people in your life, admitting and honoring your limitations, setting attainable goals for yourself, as well as taking responsibility for your daily needs, financial well-being, future, health, happiness, actions, and children). This sounds like a whole lot of work (and it is!), much more work than letting someone else take charge of all these things. So what’s the benefit? What has personal responsibility ever done for us?
Well, there is the simple fact that we get more enjoyment out of things (goods or services) we appreciate, and we can’t fully appreciate a good or service unless we understand its true value, which isn’t its price tag but rather the time, work, and sacrifice it took to acquire or perform it. There is no way to understand time, work, and sacrifice unless we have personally experienced them, and personal responsibility forces us to experience them. More personal responsibility = more appreciation = more enjoyment.
Also, we feel better about ourselves if our lives have meaning, and our lives can’t have meaning unless what we do matters. If we are responsible for whom we include in our lives, our daily needs and financial well-being, our health and happiness, etc., then our choices matter. More personal responsibility = more meaningful lives = more self-esteem.
But there is something even more important: namely, personal responsibility’s direct relationship to freedom. Very few people would argue with the notion that humans naturally desire to be free, and it’s easy to see why. With more freedom comes more choice, and thus more say in our futures. (And when applied to the economy, more innovation, production, and upward mobility, as well as higher standards of living overall, but that’s a topic for another day. Don’t even get me started on health care.) However, freedom has its price; there is no free lunch. If we are free to make good choices, we are also free to make poor ones. With the freedom to succeed comes the freedom to fail, and what we make of ourselves and our lives becomes our responsibility. (Even when bad things happen to us that are beyond our control, we are still responsible for how we handle it.) More personal responsibility = more freedom = more control over our lives.
It is also true that less personal responsibility = less freedom = less control over our lives. If we let someone else take responsibility for all of our needs, we will have little (or no) say in how they are met. We can’t have it both ways, and to me, the choice seems pretty obvious.
Ellie Sherise
Co-Creator of Magna Sententia
Co-Author of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society
The Axiom Of Realistic Expectations Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior
By Having Realistic Expectations
For Themselves, Their Lives, And Others
Yesterday, the day after the “grand finale” of ABC’s The Bachelorette, Good Morning America interviewed this season’s Jillian Harris and her pick, Ed Swiderski. (Watch “‘The Bachelorette’s’ Morning After“) To be honest, the interview itself was enough to send me right over the edge: Harris acted like she was effervescing over a new puppy instead of committing to a new fiancé, and Swiderski played along beautifully in his role as her lap dog.
I’m fine with reality television talent shows, and even voyeuristic shows chronicling the life of music and television stars, but picking your spouse on a reality television show is just ridiculous. For me, marriage is too serious of a commitment, and much too personal of a choice, to be played out in front of television crews and a national audience. Further, the “contestants” on these shows and their relationships seem so horribly superficial, they damage the idea of marriage.
What type of message are we sending to young girls and boys with shows like this? That choosing their spouse is like picking a prize on a game show? Also, marriages often produce children, and even though most of these relationships don’t last (so why do people continue to watch them?!), the probability of this kind of show creating a union of two parents who are committed enough for the lasting relationship that children need is extremely low.
I realize that Trista Rehn married Ryan Sutter, a firefighter, in 2003 after meeting him on The Bachelorette in 2002 and they are happily married with two children. However, I believe they are the exception, not the rule, and the longer these types of shows air, the further away they get from “reality.”
Anna Sherise
Co-Creator of Magna Sententia
Co-Author of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society
The Axiom Of Responsibility Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior
By Taking Responsibility
For Themselves And Their Children
Tomorrow is the Fourth of July, and we want to encourage all Americans to take a moment and truly appreciate America. With all of our political, religious, and social differences, it is important for us to acknowledge how fortunate we are to be citizens of this great nation.
We must never forget the freedoms we enjoy here, freedoms some in other countries will never experience: We all have a voice in our elections. It is our right to speak and write freely, standing up for causes we believe in. We can worship as we choose (or not at all), without fear of government persecution. And most importantly, our government is founded on the belief that all people are created equal, allowing us to make the most of ourselves and our lives, as well as make significant strides against all forms of discrimination.
With all that America has given to us, it is our duty to stay involved in her future. This includes understanding the issues before our government and staying informed regarding decisions our elected officials are making each day. Magna Sententia states that each one of us is responsible for ourselves, and it is impossible to fulfill this responsibility completely if we do not know what is going on in our country and how these concerns are being addressed.
As we think about our lives here in America on this Independence Day, please don’t forget to remember the men and women in our armed forces who have sacrificed so much throughout our nation’s history for our freedoms and way of life. If you know people who have served our country, tell them how much you appreciate them and their service. Some of them have never heard a much deserved “thank you” from any of us.
Have a fun, safe day as you celebrate this Fourth of July and all that it means to be an American.
Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society
The Axiom Of Responsibility Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior
By Taking Responsibility
For Themselves And Their Children
This last Monday, Jon and Kate Gosselin announced their separation on their reality show, Jon & Kate Plus 8. This has caused quite a stir, but apparently, their children’s expensive, custom playhouses from Kids Crooked House, which were featured in the same episode, are receiving just as much attention. (“Jon and Kate Plus 8’s Crooked Houses Cost Thousands“)
“‘Within 60 seconds of Kate saying the phrase ‘crooked houses’ on TV last night there were 170,000 visitors to our Web site,’” said Glen Halliday, the owner of Kids Crooked House, the day after the episode aired. “Halliday and his Web developers are still scrambling to process the influx in requests the company has received since last night, but said that so far they are estimating that half a million people logged on to the site yesterday and nearly 7,000 people have requested catalogs as of 10 a.m. ET today.”
The playhouses range in price “from $1,249 for an original model [. . .] to $5,000 for the starting price of a customized home. [. . .] Halliday estimates that the [four] homes delivered to the Gosselin family [. . .] were ‘at least $7,000 a piece.’”
Okay, I get the appeal of the homes, and I see why parents would be excited to give them to their children. In fact, I think Halliday should be commended for coming up with such a creative, innocent, activity-oriented product for children. The only thing that bothers me is why Halliday came up with “crooked houses” in the first place:
Halliday was watching cartoons with his own set of multiples — his now 9-year-old twin boys when he thought of a way to entice them to spend more time outside, an idea that turned into Kids Crooked Houses.
“When we were kids a cardboard box was all we needed,” said Halliday, who also has a 5-year-old daughter with his wife. “But now with five cartoon network channels and everything else, our kids spend so much time sitting on the couch I think their imagination is being force fed to them.”
“That’s how the idea was sparked, by seeing my kids becoming lethargic,” he said. “I kept asking, ‘why aren’t you outside?’ That’s what builds character.”
I am only twenty-something, and I don’t want parents to think that the overstimulated society we are living in requires them to give their children things in order to build their children’s character. Quite the opposite, all children need are rules: My siblings and I were all in high school/middle school before we were allowed to have video games, and our TV viewing was limited to one show of our choice a day, which my mom had to approve of.
She also forced us to play outside, and if we ever complained of boredom, she always replied, “If you’re bored, then I have plenty to keep you occupied. Why don’t you (wash the windows, clean the bathroom, give the dog a bath, etc.)?” Let me tell you, we learned really fast never to complain and, more importantly, how to create our own fun. We played with cardboard boxes, a lot.
Many children today are missing the ability to create their own fun, and I believe that this is partially caused by parents giving their children stuff, instead of having rules and spending quality time with them.
If you have the desire and financial resources to buy your children a “crooked house,” that’s great. However, if you are working two jobs just so you can afford to buy your children a “crooked house,” please remember that material possessions don’t build character or make children good people. I don’t have enough space in this article to list everything it takes, but I can assure you that “stuff” and an environment of entitlement definitely aren’t on it!
Ellie Sherise
Co-Creator of Magna Sententia
Co-Author of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society
Posted by Anna & Ellie 
Posted by Anna & Ellie 
Posted by Anna & Ellie 
