do most christians truly believe morality comes from religion?

Question

time and time again, i read a christian answer that says "godless heathens live without morals" or some other quote that amounts to the same thing. do christians really believe they are the only ones with morals? seems kind of sad to me if they do. also a bit arrogant and hypocritical, eh?

now before i get an answer that says: "non-christians are arrogant and hypocritical, too", please try to stay focused and dont go off on a tangent. thanks in advance.

hmm... from glancing at the answers, maybe i should have asked if most christians truly believe that morality comes from their god. yikes... seems like many actually do.

and it still seems a bit arrogant and hypocritical to me for some reason... go figure.

Answer 1

It certainly doesn't come from the secular world..........

Answer 2

Christians are often accused of trying to ram their morality down people's throats. In some instances this might accurately describe what some Christians have done. But for the most part, I believe, the criticism follows our simple declaration of what we believe is right and wrong and our participation in the political and social arenas to see such standards codified and enforced.
The question that needs to be answered is whether the high standards of morality taught in Scripture have served society well. Has Christianity served to make individuals and societies better and to provide a better way of life?

In the era following "the disruption of Charlemagne's great empire", it was the Latin Christian Church which "patiently and persistently labored to combat the forces of disintegration and decay," and "succeeded little by little in restraining violence and in restoring order, justice, and decency."{

The Vikings provide an example of how the gospel can positively affect a people group. Vikings were fierce plunderers who terrorized the coastlands of Europe. James Kennedy says that our word berserk comes from their fighting men who were called "berserkers." Gradually the teachings of Christ contributed to major changes in these people. In 1020 A.D., Christianity became law under King Olav. Practices "such as blood sacrifice, black magic, the 'setting out' of infants, slavery and polygamy" became illegal.

In modern times, it was Christians who led the fight in England against slavery. Also, it was the teaching of the Wesleys that was largely responsible for the social changes which prevented the social unrest which might have been expected in the Industrial Revolution.

Answer 3

I'm sure there are some that believe that, but I have found that the Christians who tend to think a little deeper would say that morality is a natural inclination implanted into each human being by God, and so when they ask that question, they are not saying if you live apart from God you are amoral or immoral, but that there has to be a reason why each person has a conscience, and they believe that reason is that God created us with it.

Answer 4

different peoples have different morals. I am not christian but believe any many of their morals.

I think people in this day in age are just frustrated to see people do acts that they see as wrong with every fabric of their being. We are protective of our children and dont ant them to practice them acts. Morality will ALWAYS be a problem because different people have different ideas as to what is and is not "moral" still some people have NO morals, by this i mean they live not as civilized adults. again this might be open to interpretation too .... lol good question

Answer 5

No, No 'true Christian' believes that.

Atheists are people who, whether they like it or not, have the law of God written on their hearts (Rom. 2:15). They are subject to the same laws of our country (and other countries) and they have a sense of right and wrong. They often work with people who are religious and have ethical standards as well as non-believers who are don't. So they are exposed to all sorts of moral behavior. In addition, they often form their own moral standards based on what suits them. Besides, robbery, lying, stealing, etc., can get you imprisoned, so it is practical and logical for an atheist to be ethical and work within the norms of social behavior. How ever you want to look at it, atheists, generally, are honest, hardworking people.

Nevertheless, some Christians raise the question, "What is to prevent an atheist from murdering and stealing? After all, they have no fear of God and no absolute moral code." The answer is simple: Atheists are capable of governing their own moral behavior and getting along in society the same as anyone else.

At the risk of labeling the atheist as self-centered, it does not serve the best interests of an atheist to murder and steal since it would not take long before he was imprisoned and/or killed for his actions. Basically, society will only put up with so much if it is to function smoothly. So, if an atheist wants to get along and have a nice life, murdering and stealing won't accomplish it. It makes sense for him to be honest, work hard, pay his bills, and get along with others. Basically, he has to adopt a set of ethics common to society in order to do that. Belief in God is not a requirement for ethical behavior or an enjoyable life.

On the other hand
Atheists' morals are not absolute. They do not have a set of moral laws from an absolute God by which right and wrong are judged. But, they do live in societies that have legal systems with a codified set of laws. This would be the closest thing to moral absolutes for atheists. However, since the legal system changes the morals in a society can still change and their morals along with it. At best, these codified morals are "temporary absolutes." In one century abortion is wrong. In another, it is right. So, if we ask if it is or isn't it right, the atheist can only tell us his opinion.

If there is a God, killing the unborn is wrong. If there is no God, then who cares? If it serves the best interest of society and the individual, then kill. This can be likened to something I call, "experimental ethics." In other words, whatever works best is right. Society experiments with ethical behavior to determine which set of rules works best for it. Hopefully, these experiments lead to better and better moral behavior. But, as we see by looking into society, this isn't the case: crime is on the rise.

There are potential dangers in this kind of self-established/experimental ethical system. If a totalitarian political system is instituted and a mandate is issued to kill all dissenters, or Christians, or mentally ill, what is to prevent the atheist from joining forces with the majority system and support the killings? It serves his self-interests, so why not? Morality becomes a standard of convenience, not absolutes.


But, to be fair, just because someone has an absolute ethical system based on the Bible, there is no guarantee that he will not also join forces in doing what is wrong. People are often very inconsistent. But the issue here is the basis of moral beliefs and how they affect behavior. That is why belief systems are so important and absolutes are so necessary. If morals are relative, then behavior will be too. That can be dangerous if everyone starts doing right in his own eyes. A boat adrift without an anchor will eventual crash into the rocks.


The Bible teaches love, patience, and seeking the welfare of others even when it might harm the Christian. In contrast, the atheists' presuppositions must be constantly changing, and subjective and does not demand love, patience, and the welfare of others. Instead, since the great majority of atheists are evolutionists, their morality, like evolution is the product of purely natural and random processes that become self serving.


Basically, the atheist cannot claim any moral absolutes at all. To an atheist, ethics must be variable and evolving. This could be good or bad. But, given human nature being what it is, I'll opt for the moral absolutes -- based on God's word -- and not on the subjective and changing morals that atheism offers.

Answer 6

I was moral as an atheist. I didnt steal but I did commit murder through abortion. I didnt curse my mother but I did curse in general. I didnt subject my daughter to child prostitution but I did fail to teach her to respect her own body so that she wouldnt prostitute her love to the first boy who gives her some attention.

As a Christian, I do not steal. I do not commit murder via abortion. I do not curse my mother. I do not curse in general.I teach my children to respect their bodies and keep themselves holy for God, not just for their next boyfriend and reinforce it by doing the same in front of their eyes AND behind closed doors.

I think that a person can survive this world with a loosely strapped moral compass. I believe that you can be a Christian and STILL have a loosely strapped moral compass. I believe that firmly grasping the tenant of your religion (which is the RULES associated with God) can help to catapult you from being moral by man's standards, to living Holy by God's standards.

I was a moral Christian from 25 to 34...and then I got serious about my religion and about God and decided to try and live 'holy and acceptable' in His sight.

Answer 7

It doesn't come from religion, it comes from God. Morality is divine legality. Not to be confused with cultural legality and ethics. Morality consists of principles grounded in reality and truth, the realm of God.

Answer 8

Some may, this one does not.
Morals comes from God, not religion.

However, God made good on His word that with the eating of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, that mankind would from that point on "know good from evil."

In it's simplest form, THAT is morality.
It comes from God, apart from religious belief.
It is a Godly trait, imbued to mankind.

Answer 9

Yes, but they are wrong. You can be moral with or without religion. If religion affords morals, where are the roaming gangs of athiests burning down churches and eating babies?

Answer 10

Christians believe in magic talking snakes, what do you expect, I mean really.

Answer 11

true morality comes form sesame street