Why Do We 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 value them immensely. As more people come to appreciate them, the value we place on them only increases. However, sometimes it is difficult to exchange them. These hard-to-name or intangible things are also called 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 this value. The value becomes incomparable with other values. It is impossible to exchange a sacred value for material or intangible goods.

How are sacred values ​​formed?

There are many ways in which an object or idea can become a sacred value. In general, however, there are two processes that ensure that something that has great value to a large group of people eventually becomes a sacred value. Both processes start with the perception of a threat.

In the first process, a quarrel between two opposing groups can threaten a particular ideal. This threat makes the group attach more importance to this ideal, turning it into a ritual, making it a sacred value.

This process divides the world into two sides, the sacred side and the profane side. The sacred value not only unites us with the members of our group, but at the same time separates us from the other group.

However, the greater the threat, the more rituals a group will devise. And this is what the second process involves. These rituals are, of course, all related to the sacred value being compromised. The members of the group will perform the rituals more and more, which strengthens the relationships between the group members. Moreover, these rituals also determine the norms of the group.

What are the consequences of sacred values?

Sacred values ​​influence the decisions we make. We reject any decision that jeopardizes or conflicts with our sacred values. Even if this is very unproductive. Sacred values ​​contain moral beliefs that entail rules of conduct. They tell us what is right and wrong.

This is also one of the reasons why we so fiercely defend sacred values. Sometimes we even use psychological strategies to do this. Some of these strategies include moral outrage and purging.

Moral outrage involves feeling a cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aversion to values ​​that contradict your own sacred values. Moral purification, on the other hand, consists of performing symbolic acts that affirm our commitment to our sacred values.

The Benefits of Sacred Values

We like to think of ourselves that our behavior is rational and that we make decisions by weighing the pros and cons first. However, many of our decisions are unconsciously driven by our beliefs and our idea of ​​right and wrong. Something similar happens when it comes to sacred values.

While it would be rational to disregard our sacred values, we often tend not to.

Still, having sacred values ​​from an evolutionary perspective also offers benefits. For example, sacred values ​​cannot be bought and sold. So not everything is for sale. This makes us feel a greater need to support the people who share our values ​​with us.

At the same time, sacred values ​​are also timeless. They will always be important regardless of the events that took place thousands of years ago. We therefore maintain our commitment to these values ​​with other people who share the same sacred values.

Jerusalem as a sacred value

In fact, Jerusalem is a current example of this kind of sacred values. This ancient city, fought over by the Palestinians and Israelis, has become a sacred value for both groups. Both  Israelis and Palestinians see Jerusalem as a crucial part of their identity . Because of this, it is also not an option to buy this city with money.

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

All Donald Trump did was perpetuate the conflict. If his wish was to resolve the conflict, this was certainly not the way to go about it.

A deep – rooted conflict can only be resolved through potential symbolic concessions without realizing any material benefit. However, these symbolic concessions must recognize the values ​​of the other group and give the group the opportunity to make its voice heard.