How do you decide what is right and what is wrong?

Question

I use a moral compass based on the Bible but others don't so I am curious how do you know?

Based on some of the answers I have gotton it is morally okay to insult someone's beliefs even if they haven't pushed them on anyone. Not everyone has parents that are good about teaching morals. We all have to figure them out somehow. I was just curious. I can't believe how it is so accepted to disreguard others feelings and beliefs and then say that their way is right. What is up with that?

Answer 1

If it does not go against our conscience, then it is right. If not, it never will be.

Answer 2

OHHHhhhh! That ages old question!

What is ever right, and what is ever wrong?

The subjective opinion is the relative compass, isn't it?

And pouringforth go all the opinions, all have their own answers, all slightly different, all contrasting or matching, on any particular of the subject.

Why do we all have differing opinions? Why are there so many different ways to approach the subject?

Because the Knowledge was gained long ago, and we struggle endlessly with what to do with it.

It seems it was insinuated by the act of a man and a woman. Before that, they chose to partake of something that they were told not to touch. What did they know before that? God's will and opinion on what was right, and what was wrong.

What happened after they took of the thing that God told them not to take? Separation from the source of that opinion.

And so some still desire to know that opinion, and He gives it in the scriptures. Yet we are unable to follow closely enough. We find ourselves often doing the very thing we condemned in our judgement.

The ability to do wrong has not been taken away, as yet. So we concern ourselves with this question:
"How do you decide what is right and what is wrong?"

God said that if you trust Him, He will forgive.

That is right. Everything else is probably wrong.

Answer 3

It's amazing how many people love to bash the BIBLE,most read it with a closed mind, an see only what they want it to say. If they read it with hate in their heart, they will find horror an think that's what it's teaching an be blind to the love an understanding! This a lesson in how most can't see or think pass their noise. Those who say they relay on their own conscious, an not one based in a good moral foundation(BIBLE) an their conscious is form from a druggie,a drunk,child molester,whore's,pimp's,murder's,etc. their idea of right and wrong is quit different from one how is based in the BIBLE. It is true, that all who say they are of GOD are not good people; but those who are, are more likely to be good an loving people an contribute to their community, than those who are taught by those with low moral standards.

Answer 4

Stick with the moral principles that you believe are right. Don't allow others to negatively influence you. I would caution you about a general statement such as Bible based. There have been many a bad idea defended by people on the basis of the Bible. Study and understand exactly what you mean when you use the Bible as your guidance.

Answer 5

The Bible does not specifically address every given situation that may arise. When something comes up not covered, I look at it this way in no particular order

1) Will it hurt someone? Is the pain necessary? (Surgery to remove a cancer tumor hurts, but it keeps the person alive)

2) Will it benefit me?

3) Is the cost, to me and others, reasonable?

4) Is it going to be fun?

5) Would I want someone else to do the same thing?

6) If someone finds out (i.e. it becomes public knowledge) will it bother or embarass me? (Note - choose bother OR embarass because I routinely give much to charitable things but do not want people to know and would be embarassed if people found out).

Answer 6

Based on the bible? Nonsense. I'll bet when you were about nine or ten -- long before you ever read the bible -- you already knew what was right and what was wrong, and why. So did I.

And much of what the bible teaches is downright immoral. But if you're actually read it, then you already knew that, didn't you?

Answer 7

you use your moral compass, i make decisions i feel are right and wrong based upon my own morals.

They are not based on the bible, but that doesn't mean they are any less moral, they are just as moral.

Everyone on this planet makes decisions based on their own morals and beliefs that have been formed by their own worldview, and it is wrong to judge them according to your own moral set.

Answer 8

Morality is based on conscience, which is part of human nature, which in turn is a product of evolution.

Answer 9

good question.

i believe that morality is NOT subjective.
certain action are right or wrong not because someone decided they were, but because they just are.

things that hurt others in any way are wrong. even if the ultimate goal is good.
this encompasses killing, theft, assault, rape, impersonation, ect.

anything i would not to have done to myself.

Answer 10

Being able to understand what makes things right and what makes things wrong helps us to determine what is morally right and wrong. you know that what is considered wrong when it has the potential to cause harm to oneself or others. you know what is morally right has the potential to create goodness in oneself and others. sometimes our judgement in whats right and wrong is a bit farfetched, but just by being able to make mistakes and learn from them teaches us what is wrong, and that in itself teaches us how to make that right. its more of an instinct that we feel that is right and wrong

Answer 11

How do I decide?

If I know God wouldn't approve, I know it's wrong. The only way to know what God does or doesn't approve of is to study the Bible.

I wish I could say that if I know God doesn't approve, I won't do it, but I do sometimes.