A question of morality: Christians, Theist or Atheist can answer.?

Question

I personally think true morality comes from self-sacrifice not from the promise of a reward or the fear of punishment. is that against Christian teaching?

I also believe that morality is an evolved trait that helped our ancestors to survive, so we gained it as well. What do Christians/Theists think about that?

Answer 1

Well, you're in good company. Most anthropologists accept that, because humans are social animals, we evolved a set of cooperative (ie.,moral) behaviors that enhance our species' ability to survive.

I do not believe that altruism (self-sacrifice) is essential for morality. A great deal of moral behavior is not altruistic. For example, helping a little old lady across the street is moral behavior that does not involve much self-sacrifice. Not being a thief requires no self-sacrifice beyond giving up that which never really belonged to you, in the first place. I think of moral behavior as doing the "right" thing, with neither fear of punishment, nor promise of reward, as a motivating factor. We behave morally because it makes us feel good about ourselves and buys us favor with the people whose opinions we value, our friends and associates.

Answer 2

Very good point, but perhaps not the entire picture.

Can you think of times when too much self-sacrifice wouldn't be moral? I can. Like if a person neglects his own health for no other reason than because he has a neurosis that compels him to focus on other people's needs more than his own.

I think real morality comes from an understanding of what is real -- love -- and the strength to be able to help other people. I strongly agree with you that giving or helping out of either fear of punishment if I don't, or hope for some kind of quid pro quo, is not a very moral motivation. It's not necessarily IMmoral -- just not as purely moral as somebody who gives or sacrifices out of the sheer strength/ability to do so.

Answer 3

I don't know that morality is an evolved trait so much as a necessary social construct for group living; in which case I suppose it evolved from the development of group living, although not as a trait.

Answer 4

Self-sacrifice is a bedrock principle of Christianity. However as imperfect humans who are unable to always do good, we are also presented with the One who gave the ultimate self-sacrifice for all mankind by giving His life; namely Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.

I agree that self-sacrifice and cooperation is a learned behavior. We learn as life progresses that it is more effective for ourselves and others to cooperate and be moral. I do not agree however that these traits are 'evolved.' I think that a baby when born is a blank-slate. The person as they grow and age learns from and interacts with their environment.

I think the perception that these traits are evolved traits simply comes from that fact that society has matured from the days of competition for any scrap of food, shelter, etc.

Answer 5

I don't think it's an evolved trait in any physical or physiological sense, but I believe the teaching of basic morals has evolved through traditional parenting and social conditioning. One woman's opinion.

Answer 6

I think morality is about living in a civilised society.


Moral rules come from our wish to live together in peace, we are social beings. It comes from the wish to be united, and so to make each of our universes better. Whoever does not respect those moral rules is isolated

It's kinda like why laws exist

Answer 7

Jesus says in John 15:13

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

This are the words that Jesus lived and left for us as an example. Truly they are about self-sacrifice.

As far a morality being an evolved trait, one can easily argue that man is a self-centered animal. Christianity tells us to go against our basic instincts, not to be a slave to our genes and chromosomes. It is this ability that separates us from the animals.

Answer 8

the 1st 3 would seem superficially achieveable yet once you scratch the exterior you will see that it it somewhat isn't any rationalization in any respect, the universe is complicated and it does % a proof, yet to postulate something infinitely extra complicated (and consequently unbelievable) in its place isn't a possibly or effective rationalization. As for the 4th nicely it somewhat is merely and demonstrably incorrect. we don't get our morality from the bible. human beings examine the scripture and cherry p.c.. the bits that they deem to be morally acceptable and discard something. you're utilising your ethical intuitions to choose the bible to be an acceptable guarantor of your ethical intuitions. Your intuitions are nevertheless familiar and your reasoning is around.

Answer 9

we are born with a certain sense of right and wrong but morality is taught and is usually passed down parent to child and as the child grows older they get a sense of broader morality from society and if they choose from the Bible. If no one were to teach a newborn any morals and the newborn grew up isolated from society I don't believe that they would have a clue about morality.

Answer 10

I agree with you that morality evolved as a survival instinct.