Christians: what do you think about moral relativism?

Question

“Moral relativism” seems like such a dirty word sometimes, especially to us Christians. I see it, however, as just a part of life. It’s quite closed minded to look at everything in black and white, when reality has several shades of gray.

The ten commandments tell us not to lie, so is all lying a sin? What about Rahab, who lied to the city guard to protect the Hebrew spies she was hiding in Joshua 2...was she wrong in doing so? She is later listed as a person of good faith in Hebrews and an example of righteousness in James.

There are many such examples for other “sins,” too. What about that hypothetical question about the man stealing the medicine with the jacked-up price to save his dying wife? Or a police man killing a person to stop a shooting spree?

Basically my question is this: if you are a Christian, what do you think of moral relativism? How do you determine if an action is a "sin"? Are things always either right or wrong, or is there some type of an in-between?

I wanted to add another example of lying but I ran out of room so here it is:

A similar instance of the whole Rahab thing is the people who hid Jews during WWII. When the Nazis came knocking at their doors, were they sinning when they said that there were no Jews inside?

Answer 1

I think there are black and white rights and wrongs... but people tend to pick and choose what they think falls under that category. In all seriousness, though, I think the answers to most of your questions here actually ARE in the Bible. The ten commandments, for example, do NOT tell us not to lie. They tell us not to bear false witness, which means that you don't make stuff up about people in court. In other words, it is the lies that hurt people that are wrong, not lies in general. And if you study Christian history and theology you will find that many theologians that have shaped our beliefs over the centuries have justified theft to save a life, and the Bible is full of examples of people killing in self defense. There is nothing wrong with those things, and few people think otherwise. So those are not very good examples. In any case, I do believe in moral relativism, but not because there is not a clear cut right and wrong, but because what that dichotomy consists of is up for debate and is subject to circumstances. I think if you look across the board, however, to what most religions and ethics experts and law makers and decent people believe right and wrong is, with the exception of the obvious cases of people being greedy and selfish and trying to justify it, you will find many things that there is little debate over. Those are your culprits. Those are your right and wrong.

Answer 2

I think you are right on. Jbuns says a lie might be the right thing to do at the time, but then implies you have to ask forgiveness later. I don't understand why one should ask forgiveness for doing what is right at the time.
(I haven't looked at the other answers yet, that's why I'm only picking on Jbuns!)
The 10 commandments say not to kill, but the rest of the law describes circumstances in which one must kill. It has been said the commandment means 'you shall do no murder'
- then we define what murder is.
It is obvious that a lot of the Scripture is a common sense thing, but common sense inspired by God. To say : 'I cannot tell a lie. The Jews are hidden in this cupboard' - would have been morally wrong, although pharisaically right.
On the other hand, the fact that someone is listed as an example of righteousness, does not mean they never sinned. They were all sinners.
But it seems that Rahab's lie was an example of her faith.
I think God-s purpose is more our relationship with Him in faith, rather than whether we always follow the right rules. Even the rules He laid down. And I think that is the gist of the New Testament message.
For instance, when I was small, my father might have said" 'Don't step into the street'. But if a motor bike came tearing down the sidewalk, and there was a fence between the sidewalk and the lawn, I wouldn't have had any doubt that my father would approve my jumping into the street.
In the same way, the rules we see in the Bible are often general rules, that have exceptions when it is to avoid a greater wrong.
On the other hand, there are absolutes. There is never justification for adultery, for example. Stealing to feed one's starving children? I don't know. One thing is clear: I wouldn't judge the person. I would rather condemn the system (at least in our Western Society) that would allow a person to be reduced to only that possibility - and unfortunately, some very religious people often share the responsibility for such conditions. So while I wouldn't justify the stealing, I don't think God would really be very condemning of it at times.
If we were at war, we would think nothing of stealing the enemy's ammunition or weapons. In fact it would seem like a heroic thing to do, wouldn't it?

Answer 3

Moral relativism, ethical relativism-it's all the same; situational ethics. You decide you don't like someone, pull out a gun and waste them. You like some other kids coat-take it. It's all ok, just don't take back what I've stolen from you. People who claim there are no moral absolutes live the life of a moral relativist, but make no mistake about it; if you steal their car or money, they'll become an absolutist real quick while they're calling the police. Otherwise, they're always telling us how "understanding" and "tolerant" the rest of us should be when dealing with misfits and the criminal elements among us. For some reason, Rosie O'Donnell comes to mind. She shot her mouth off about how ALL Americans should have their guns confiscated, except, of course, her bodyguard's side arm. The hypocrisy of these people is simply breath-taking.

Answer 4

God knows our hearts. He knows what our true motivations are. I don't think all things are black and white - MANY are, but there are also many situations with gray areas. I think those who hid Jews to protect them from the Nazis are all heros. And whether it's a sin or not, if my daughter had a life threatening illness that one expensive medication could cure - I'd steal it. Call me what you will people - that's just me being honest. I would steal, lie and kill - if any of those things was required to protect the life of my child.

Answer 5

Moral relativism is a dangerous idea. It is basically this in a nutshell. I will decide what is good and what is evil. That sounds like a very familar formula. I think Adam and Eve decided that they should decide for themselves what is good and what is evil and in so doing set in motion the course of mankind ever since.

Israel was constantly in trouble throughout their history for precisiouly this reason. Everyone did what is right in his own eyes.

I won't go to extremes of behaviour because it wouldn't be helpful but lets just look at a very simple act of moral relativsim. Lets say your in line at the supermarket with your nine items or less waiting patiently and I decide that I want to go before you so I excuse myself and push my cart past you and start unloading my cart in front of you. You would be outraged. You may not say anything but just the same you wouldn't be a happy camper. But lets just say you decided to confront me and tell me how rude I was. All I would simply have to say is "Don't push your morals on my. I'm in a hurry and so its okay for me to cut in front of you" .

This is moral relativism. I have decided that good manners and loving others as myself is not important if I'm in a hurry so I can treat others badly or even in a way I wouldn't wish to be treated. We can apply this same principle to murder, rape, child abuse and molestation. With moral relativism a child molesting man of the cloth could claim love for the child and so he was doing a greater good by molesting the child.

However, All that being said. Your examples are perfect examples of another principle. The preservation of life always trumps the Law. Yahshua never taught it was alright to break the sabbath but he taught it was okay to do good on the sabbath, to give life and health, to save an ox from the ditch. All of your examples are examples of the law being suspended to preserve life. Is it still a sin, oh yes, is it forgiven if offered up in prayer most definatly. However this is not a licence to sin indiscriminatly. It is the exception. It is not moral relativism it is common sense or to use the biblical term wisdom.

Answer 6

money has by no potential offered forgiveness, salvation or repentance. It by no potential will It grow to be rebellious of ladies human beings to positioned on pants then and now its some thing displeasing, my opinion. Slavery grow to be by no potential justified yet by no potential forbidden decrease back then the church very a lot prompted the government, on the instant there's a more advantageous separation between church and state, women human beings are to no longer be in authority of adult adult males, then and now critiques and prejudices of adult adult males: Interracial marriages isn't justified nor forbidden by utilising scripture.

Answer 7

A sin is a sin regardless of the motivation behind it. If you commit sin, you need to ask for forgiveness. The lie may be the right thing to do at them time, but it was still a lie and needs to be repented.

Answer 8

Yes, good question. I think God looks at the motives of our hearts.

Answer 9

great question!!

I think God knows whats in our hearts, If we lie, even to save someone's life, we shouls always ask for forgiveness for doing so, but I don't think God would hold it against us, because once again, he knows our hearts and our intent.

Answer 10

The Way, the Truth, and the Life
1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
Our father bears witness
2 In My Father’s house are many mansions;[a] if it were not so, I would have told you. There are in fact many flock yards.
I go to prepare a place for you.[b]
We are back.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
We all enter through the front door…even flesh with flesh, with the aid of all as always.
4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
One of which is Death….4 angels four directions for ways unk.
5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, and how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
There are many flocks, many colors, many flags, many knowings, and ways to prove yourself. We Love all that still.
The Father Revealed

7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also;
and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”
Cuz look around you and see if Our fathers Witness is perceptive to you, can you deign that He is not standing here with all of us all of the time?
8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? We always do the will of our Father, still.
10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me?
Even after I come back time and again in the same manner, still.
Through a woman, addicted to air, Alive like us… Just like my church people, enough.
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
That is why we say that We bear witness to each other.
The Answered Prayer

12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father
You are able now. If flesh and Spirit and systems unk. Could word efficiently peace would be a byproduct that is harnessed.
so now you as a people could manifest a title proof in each shade of truth that of Our Father beside us is Know to be beside us by us and stuff etc.
13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask[c] anything in My name, I will do it.
Jesus Promises Another Helper

15 “If you love Me, keep[d] My commandments. Commandments are from Our father and I 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
Indwelling of the Father and the Son

19 “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.
That I have returned, and Our father has proved Prophecy again.
20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
I Love you, don’t cha?
22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”
23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
His Will is absolute, is the truth.
The Gift of His Peace

25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said,[e] ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.
29 “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.