Do you think Christianity fosters positive moral character?

Answer 1

Yes it does, because philosophically and logically, Christianity's belief that a higer moral authority exists, means that its adherants will strive for greater morality.

This is a key distinction between Christianity and non-believers, who hold that no higher moral authority exists. Therefore their appeal to moral behavior is based on nothing or simply what every individual believes to be good or bad. Such a philosophy is nothing more than hedonism as its basic levels.

Answer 2

I'm not sure if 'christianity' does or not... I think if the parents are true born again Christians, and live moral lives that are not 'masters' over their children.. but treat their kids with love and respect they deserve... i think it fosters positive moral character... since they are to be like Christ... and when they tell their children why they act as such, the kids will know it is because they strive to be more like Jesus

i believe that non-christians can also foster positive character... as to what their 'reason' for acting as such, that i cannot answer.... it may be what was modeled to them by their parents, or guiding by the spirit within them

Answer 3

To answer that question I think you really need to uderstand what the bible says about Christians and "positive moral character".

Jesus commanded his followers to live lives of love, humility, and service to others. Jesus sent the Holy Spririt to help his followers with this command. The "fruit of the spirit" the bible says is "love joy peace patience kindness...".Jesus also commanded his followers to preach His truth in His name so that others may come to know Him.
But, the bible says that all people are sinners, Christians and non-christians alike. If this were not the case, Christ would not have needed to come and redeem us. The bible says that even Christians, who know what is right, will continue to sin against God and their fellow man. Paul said, in the book of Romans, I know the right thing to do and I want to do it, but I sin anyway. This was the great apostle Paul. Fortunately, God has made provision for this. He says, if have faith in Christ and confess our sins, he will be faithful and forgive us from our sins. Even though a Christian has been forgiven of his sins by God, he often pays the consequences here on earth. The bible teaches us this and I think we can see that this is true in our practical experience.

Another important thing that the Bible teaches us about human beings. We are basically self serving hypocrites. The bible says that many will come in the name of Jesus that do not know Him. These are people who claim a christian justification for their actions, but they are not followers of Christ. If you study Christs teachings you will see that these people do not represent Christ at all. Unfortunately these are many peoples only representative of "Christianity".

Bottom line, yes, if you follow the teachings of Christ you would be practicing "positive moral character" in the eyes of most people. But, even the most faithful Christian will mess up. Most importantly, just becuase someone claims to be a Christian does not mean he is following the teachings of Christ. You will not see positive moral character from someone who is using Christianity in this way.

If you really want the answer to this question, go to the bible and read the new testament. The new testament gives a pretty clear outline of how a christian should behave. Base your opinion on what the bible says and not on the behavior of people who may or may not follow christ.

Answer 4

The belief that no matter what one does, as long as one is 'saved' means that one can abuse other people on earth. This is dangerous.

If Christians were to actually listen to the words of Christ in the Bible, where he says that beyond loving God, the greatest commandment is to love thy neighbor, then it could be positive.

However, so many people get caught up in Paul's words and obsolete parts of the Old Testament (Deuteronomy etc.) that they forget the rest.

Then, of course, there's the argument about 'what is moral.' Is it moral to kill someone who is disobeying God's law? Is it moral to make them psychologically suffer? Or is it moral to understand how the world actually works, without having to use an external code of morality formed by desert people and desert people under Roman law?

Answer 5

of course it does. Christ's teachings are not just confined to the pages of a "book." He is a living Person and guides everyday life decisions in the Christian. I live to give Him joy, therefore I try not to do anything that would hurt Him (just as spouses do for each other). This in turn leads to moral character for it is the development of the Character of Christ in me. Our social Law was built on Judeo-Christian ethics and principles. Why? Because they are moral, make sense to the preservation of society, and work. So it is with the individual life....Christ simply "works!"

Answer 6

Not always. People are individuals, with different character traits...so you have some moral christians, and some who are not. You have some moral atheists and some who are not. People are people, no matter what setting they may be in.

Answer 7

The True Christian Faith indeed dose foster good character development... however there are many who think they are Christian and are not... and there are many the world thinks of as Christian who are not... just because someone claims to be a Christian dose not make them one...and... there are innumerable variables in defining "moral"... that is why there are so many "religions", states, nations, ethnic groups, etc, etc.... and why there are so many wars... what you think of as moral, I, as a Christian, might think of as a sin...and vise-a-versa..... those of the True Christian Faith to not impose our moral standard on others... but... in a free country... we do try to get others to assist in voting in certain standards for the regulation of society... that is what freedom is... and in most cases the majority of non-Christians agree and vote with us... if given the truth by honest public representatives and the press.

Answer 8

Hypothetically.

However...reality says otherwise. "Positive moral character" is not supposed to include:

A sense of superiority over those who are not Christians.
The supreme arrogance to dare to speak/judge for God.
Attempts to shoehorn religious dogma into science.
Outrageous abuse of followers in the name of the faith.
Contempt for people who have no choice in being who or what they are.
Authoritarianism.
Liscense to tell other people whether or not they are being "moral".
Book burning.
Fear/hatred for anything not covered in the Bible.
Efforts to ban books they don't like.
Killing the pets of atheists or Wiccans.
Holding up signs that say "God hates _______!"

etc...

Answer 9

No.

Every Christian I know is a hypocrite- talks of acceptance and love then bad mouths gays and other religions, and every Christian I know has more family problems then those without religious beliefs.

You know I think that if someone can prove to me that Christians heaven exsists then I will wait until the moment of my death to repent my sins, as it seems to be the goal of most Christians.

And if my belief's anger you- remember Jesus wants you to love and respect other's beliefs

Answer 10

You can use a book like the Bible to justify any kind of behavior you wish, from rape to child abuse.
Red states with the highest Christian population also have the highest crime rates.
Christianity fosters ignorance, nothing more.

Answer 11

Yea right, go work in a women's clinic. Try to marry your same sex partner.

Trying to force ridiculous, idiotic, and asinine religious dogma on this country through our laws is not a sign of moral character. It is a sign of small minded ignorance.