Why is it so common when parents say goodbye to their children (usually forever) in the movies for the parent to leave their children with a command?
"Be good."
That's pretty much what God told the Israelites to do, and we all know how well those guys lived up to that type of pressure.
As an astronaut is sailing towards his inevitable doom during the third act of "Deep Impact", he is able to meet via satellite, his newborn child. Pretty much all he can figure to tell the little pigsqueek before he suffers to save mankind, is to 'be good.' The child will have to live the whole of its life with that singular command from its father. Those are the only words they ever shared together. Be good.
Why does the parent feel compelled to leave their children with this? It appears to be an instinctual thing to say. But why? Why should we all want our children to be good? For who's sake do we make such imperative commands?
I think this is a fine, practical proof for the existence of objective truth. It is written into our hearts, our instincts, to yearn to be the good guy. Furthermore, as parents, we can find redemption and solace in the hope that the children we raise will grow up to be the good guy, even if we ourselves have failed to do so.
It seems to me, that in all we do, we are seeking a way to find salvation for ourselves.
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