{"id":5697,"date":"2024-01-09T06:18:04","date_gmt":"2024-01-09T10:18:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/it-may-be-popular-but-is-it-right\/"},"modified":"2024-01-09T06:18:04","modified_gmt":"2024-01-09T10:18:04","slug":"it-may-be-popular-but-is-it-right","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/it-may-be-popular-but-is-it-right\/","title":{"rendered":"It May Be Popular, But Is It Right?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Profit<\/a>
\n
\"Just<\/p>\n

When I was young, my mother told me what it was like to grow up in Berlin when Hitler and the Nazi party came to power. They personified the worst of humanity. It is unfathomable how one person caused so much misery. But he didn\u2019t act alone. Neighbors snitched on neighbors. Families ratted out family members. And many citizens lived in silence<\/a> out of fear. When she recounted stories, I often wondered why so many people were silent while an evil person caused so much death and destruction. The whole nation turned on the Jewish people. This goes to show you that just because something\u2019s \u201cpopular\u201d doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s right. As Martin Luther King, Jr., said, \u201cThe ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.\u201d<\/p>\n

I understand that Hitler\u2019s Third Reich controlled the media, shut down dissenting voices, and imposed severe punishment if one didn\u2019t toe the party line. In addition, children were brainwashed and blindly followed their peers without questioning what was occurring all around them. But ask yourself, why should an innocent little girl be subjected to rocks being thrown at her by other children when she walked to school? What were they thinking? Where were their parents? And where were all the people who knew full well what was happening?<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a very fine line between staying silent to inhumanity, and being an active participant.<\/p>\n

Although it pales in comparison<\/em>\u2026How often do people overlook illegal activities, cover up abuses, fail to stand up for injustice, or sit idly by while people bully<\/a> their victims?<\/p>\n

There\u2019s No Excuse<\/h3>\n

There are several reasons why people ignore heinous behavior. First, some people simply don\u2019t know better, although they should. Others cover up wrongdoings because they benefit personally. Furthermore, some people fear reprisal, while other folks are misguided \u2014 influenced by popular whims, misleading information, or propaganda. Last, some people think immoral behavior is excusable because, \u201cEverybody does it,\u201d \u201cI was told to do it,\u201d or \u201cIf most people believe this, who am I to question it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Just because it\u2019s popular doesn\u2019t make it right.<\/p>\n

If a lot of people cheat, lie, or steal does that give you permission to follow suit? If your boss tells you to do something unethical does that let you off the hook? If the masses believe something, does that make it true?<\/p>\n

If you believe everything<\/em> you hear, surrender your principles, or commit acts that you know are blatantly wrong, whose fault is it? There are no excuses. You, and you alone, are responsible for your actions<\/em> or inaction<\/em>. Period.<\/p>\n

People can\u2019t make you do things without your permission.<\/p>\n

Popular Doesn\u2019t Always Mean Right<\/h3>\n

Just because someone pressures you to adopt their opinion or demands that you do something, doesn\u2019t mean you should. While you may think that\u00a0following the pack\u00a0is a safe bet, don\u2019t assume that they have done their due diligence. In fact, they may be dishonest, self-serving, or have a hidden agenda. And they may be leading you right off a cliff. You have an obligation to challenge popular opinion and say no! Moreover, there\u2019s a huge difference between right and wrong. And it\u2019s the job of decent, law-abiding citizens to point out that reality to those who have forgotten.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d be the first to admit that it\u2019s exhausting to swim against the tide. It\u2019s hard to speak up when others are silent. And it\u2019s difficult to do what\u2019s right instead of what\u2019s easy. But if you don\u2019t live with honor and integrity, you may regret it one day. You have one life to live. You can choose to be a positive force in the world or sell your soul to the highest bidder. It takes courage<\/a> to stand up for what\u2019s right. History will judge you based on your chosen path. After all, action has consequences. So does inaction.<\/p>\n

LISTEN UP \u2026\u00a0\u00a0Listen to Your Conscience. That\u2019s Why You Have One<\/em>\u00a0is now available as an audiobook. Check it out on\u00a0,\u00a0, or\u00a0iTunes<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Follow me on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a>,\u00a0X<\/a>\u00a0(Formerly Twitter),\u00a0Pinterest<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n

What Are Your Thoughts?<\/h3>\n

Please leave a\u00a0comment\u00a0and tell us what you think or\u00a0share it with someone who can benefit from the\u00a0information.<\/b><\/p>\n

Additional Reading:
\nEver Hear the Excuse \u201cEverybody Does It?”<\/a>
\nWould You Do Something Unethical If You Could Get Away with It?<\/a>
\nIs There a Difference Between Right and Wrong?<\/a>
\nWhere Do Bullies Learn to Be So Mean?<\/a>
\nForgiveness: It\u2019s Good For You<\/a>
\nAre You Blurring the Line Between Right and Wrong?<\/a>
\nGroupthink: What Makes You Think Others Know Better?<\/a><\/p>\n

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The post It May Be Popular, But Is It Right?<\/a> appeared first on Frank Sonnenberg Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n