When Values ​​become Sacred

We all have ideas or things that are important to us. But some are so important that we end up giving them a value. These values ​​will be of particular importance, especially when they are shared by a greater number of people. They are considered secular, but sometimes their essence cannot be quantified, negotiated or traded. In such cases, they will become sacred values.

These sacred values ​​must absolutely  be  respected and protected, against all odds. When a preference becomes a sacred value, it also becomes a moral imperative. As a moral imperative, it becomes incomparable with other values ​​and impossible to exchange for tangible or intangible goods.

How are sacred values ​​formed

A preference for an object or an idea can turn into a sacred value in different ways. However, when it comes to sacred values ​​for all members of a group, there are mainly two processes. Both of these processes start from the perception that there is a threat.

According to the first process, conflicts between groups can lead to a preference being threatened. This threat will cause the group to incorporate their preference into a ritual, thus transforming it into a sacred value.  This will result in  dividing the world into two, the sacred and the profane. On the other hand, the sacred value will unite us with the members of our group, separating us more from the people of other groups.

According to the second process, the  greater the threat, the more rituals will be. These rituals, related to sacred value, will be repeated more often, which will serve to strengthen relationships with members of our group. In addition, these rituals will be used to commit to the norms of the group.

What are the effects of sacred values?

Sacred values ​​will influence the decisions we make. Any decision endangering or criticizing our sacred values ​​will be rejected. Even if this decision is unproductive. In addition, sacred values ​​incorporate moral beliefs, which involve rules of conduct as to what is right and what is not.

Therefore, we will stand up for our sacred values ​​above all else, and we will use psychological strategies to do so. Some of these strategies are moral outrage and moral cleansing. Moral outrage refers to cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aversion to values ​​that are contrary to or different from sacred values. Moral purification, on the other hand, consists of performing symbolic acts reaffirming the commitment to sacred value.

The benefits of sacred values

We generally tend to think of our behaviors as rational and that when making decisions, we consider the balance between costs and benefits. Nonetheless,  many of the important decisions we make are guided by our beliefs about what is right and what is not. Something similar is happening with sacred values. While getting rid of them would sometimes be rational, we don’t.

Sacred values ​​have advantages from an evolutionary point of view. For example,  we will never monetize a sacred value. Everything is not for sale. This resistance will make us more united with those who share our worth.

Likewise, sacred values ​​will be timeless. They are still important, even though these are events that happened thousands of years ago, so we will maintain engagement with others who will themselves hold this value as sacred. throughout their life.

Jerusalem as a sacred value

A current example of sacred values ​​can be found in Jerusalem. This ancient city, disputed by Palestinians and Israelis, has become a sacred asset to both groups. Concretely, it is about its  status which has become a sacred value. Therefore, offering money to deliver the city to the other group will be pointless.

When President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, he also threatened the city’s status. Palestinians viewed this recognition as a threat to one of their sacred values, so the response was rejection, which manifested itself through acts of violence.

This recognition only perpetuated the conflict. If what is sought is the resolution of the conflict, threatening a sacred value is not the solution. Making symbolic concessions, without material benefit but recognizing the values ​​of the other, can pave the way for resolving intractable conflicts.