Does it matter that this reduces morality to individual piety?
Oops. Asked this question earlier with the word "faith" instead of "morality". Made no sense whatsoever.
2007-03-26 17:26:20 · 16 answers · asked by Me, Thrice-Baked 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Wow! Good answers!
2007-03-26 17:41:35 · update #1
Hi Contemplative,
You wrote: "Anyone who tries to earn a good relationship through service instead of through sensitive interaction is acting in vain." I'm not quite sure what you mean by that. Could you explain a little further?
2007-03-26 18:08:34 · update #2
Not at all. the belief in Jesus Christ and morality are not mutually related, definitely not.
For instance, the Dalai Lama has said that compassion and affection are human values independent of religion.
You see, the belief of God doesn't have any pronounced effect on whether a person behaves morally or not.
Morality comes from altruistic motivation, not from the fear of a supernatural being or punishments after death.
2007-03-26 17:29:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Morality is based on law. I believe morality is based on the tenets of Christianity, but it is on the ideology rather than my relational skills that my sense of morality is based.
Through relationship, there is salvation, which is a different matter. While I strongly believe in personal responsibility and the need for adherence to moral code, salvation is not something I can earn by enough good behaviour.
It's not that good behaviour is unimportant, it's just not the currency of love. It's not the ultimate purpose of relationship.
Anyone who tries to earn a good relationship through service instead of through sensitive interaction is acting in vain. No one likes to have someone earn love. That comes with a sense of entitlement, which is contrary to love.
Morality has a bearing on relationships, but it is not determined by it.
2007-03-27 00:43:39 · answer #2 · answered by Contemplative Chanteuse IDK TIRH 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are two types of morality personal and social. Personal morality is your values, your rights and wrongs. Societal are generally defined by law and in some areas religion. Slavery was considered morally correct until a few went against the social morals.
As long as man has free will, it will be unlikely that personal and social morals will mesh completely - but that isn't always a bad thing.
2007-03-27 05:58:02 · answer #3 · answered by Sarcasma 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is my belief that morality can only be derived from one's own free will. Choosing to act as one does is independent of faith, although the behaviors which are suggested and shown by Jesus are usually considered very moral.
However, I have seen deeply religious people engage in usury without remorse, I have seen the truly faithful who try constantly to live by the words of Jesus fail in moral situations where less faithful men tread easily.
One does not need to have faith in Jesus to be moral, and having faith in Jesus does not make one moral. However, one who listens to his words may find strong moral guidance regardless of faith, although said faith can reinforce said guidance.
However, it could easily be said that anyone who truly believes in Jesus, strives for a strong relationship, and listens to his words will generally act in a moral fashion, at least so far in a similar (yet not identical) fashion as to that which Jesus himself lived.
2007-03-27 00:35:26 · answer #4 · answered by BDOLE 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not! True morality has nothing whatsoever to do with following any one faith over any other. It also has nothing to do with following certain rules. True morality is strictly about things like Love, Kindness, Compassion, Sharing, Empathy, Generosity, Unity, the understanding that there is enough for everyone, and that God has always intended for everyone to have their needs met, no matter what, and the understanding that we are all one...with each other and with God...LITERALLY! Separation and scarcity are only illusions. *sm*
2007-03-27 18:45:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
morality is ever changing into what society wants to make it. Kind of like voting for a president. Not all agree but versions are out there and conformity to who's values is the proper guideline.
2007-03-27 00:46:26 · answer #6 · answered by Dennis James 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. I have no relationship with Jesus Christ, him being a dead man and all, but I have morals. Nobody needs a book to tell you not to kill or steal or lie. Those are just -human- morals, not Christian ones.
2007-03-27 00:29:26 · answer #7 · answered by ....... 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not. There are those who have no relationship with any church, yet who act in a manner which should be lauded by the best that humanity has to offer.
There are those who outwardly proclaim adherence to a religion (none can know their hearts, of course) but who do stunningly immoral things.
2007-03-27 16:58:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Christian morality depends on a relationship with Jesus. Human morality doesn't. Some Christians will argue that without Jesus, or their god, that there would be no morality at all. It seems that God only allows free will among those who have freely chosen Him, but imposes his will to impart order on the world on those who do not believe in Him.
It's a strange, strange god they have. If you do what he wants, you're free to do as you will. If you choose him, you've chosen freely, but if you don't choose him, he imposes his morality on you, but doesn't give you the benefit of choosing to believe in him.
Strange.
2007-03-27 00:31:25 · answer #9 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not only "not determined by", but it's simply not a factor for atheists. Our morality derives from upbringing, law, school, conscience, convention, decency, ethic, goodness, honesty, honor, integrity, moral code, natural law, nature, practice, principles, standards, values, etc.
“Morality does not depend on religion.” -- John Ruskin
“The death of dogma is the birth of morality.” -- Immanuel Kant
2007-03-27 11:08:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋