Are Humanity’s Shared Values Losing Meaning?

As the world is always changing, it seems clear that people seem more divided than ever over fundamental core values that were once considered universal. Concepts that historically transcended cultural boundaries such as truth, justice, compassion, and dignity now face relentless redefinition and debate over their value and meaning.

Social media has amplified ideological echo chambers, creating parallel realities where basic facts become debatable. What constitutes truth now depends on political affiliation, cultural background, or personal preference. Justice becomes subjective, shaped by group identity rather than universal principles. Even compassion is weaponized, with one group calling another into question if their ideological positions do not align.

This fragmentation reflects deeper philosophical shifts. Postmodern thinking has successfully challenged any claim of absolute truth. However, the resulting relativism leaves society without stable moral anchors. When all perspectives are equally valid, none carry transformative power.

Technology can accelerate the erosion of values. Online interactions can strip away human nuance, reducing complex moral questions to binary choices. Algorithms reward extreme positions while moderate voices disappear into digital silence. Many virtual debates lack the depth necessary for genuine long-term change.

Without shared values, societies struggle to address collective challenges. Climate change, poverty, and injustice require unified responses based on common moral ground. When fundamental values become negotiable, collective action becomes difficult, if not impossible.

The loss of shared meaning also creates individual spiritual poverty. Humans need transcendent purpose that connects them to something greater than personal preference. Pure individualism, however liberating it appears, ultimately leaves people isolated and directionless. We were created for community with God at the center. A world without that is ultimately lost.

Perhaps the solution lies not in creating new values, but in rediscovering eternal ones. Throughout history, lasting moral progress has emerged from recognizing transcendent truths that exist beyond human opinion. When we celebrate principles rooted in divine design rather than cultural consensus is when spiritual revival occurs.  Only when we acknowledge objective moral reality can we rebuild the shared foundation necessary for human flourishing and genuine community. May we each contribute to the next Great Awakening with truth, love and grace.