(September 23, 2016 at 10:53 am)Catholic_Lady Wrote:(September 22, 2016 at 10:51 pm)Kernel Sohcahtoa Wrote: Thanks for your post, Catholic Lady. Out of curiosity, I've heard practitioners of religious faith, such as William Lane Craig and James White, say that their religion provides them with an objective basis for morality. However, if there is no concrete proof for the truth of their religion, then is it more accurate for them to say that their religious morality is faith-based, not objectively based? Thanks.
To you and others it would definitely make more sense to say it is faith based. But when a person has such a strong faith in their religion, they believe that their religion IS an objective truth. And when that "objective truth" gives them a basis for morality, then it would make sense that they see that basis as objective as well.
I can't speak for the men you refer to, but for myself, that's how I feel. I believe that my faith, which I see as being objectively true, provides me with an objective moral basis.
And you are correct that we don't have concrete proof to show that it's all true, but the sense of certainty for the believer is still there. Again, it's like with my husband. Perhaps that's an example you can better relate to. I don't have scientific proof that he loves me, but I truly 100% have faith that he does. If someone were to ask me if my husband loving me is an objective truth or merely my opinion, I would tell them he absolutely does. That it is objectively true. Even though I can't provide concrete proof of it to show you.
Thank you for your response. I think I understand. For individuals who have a strong faith in their religion, that religion is a part of who they are: it is like a nerve that connects them to something deeper. This deeper connection is so strong and loving and although it cannot be rationally proven, it feels so real and genuine that it must be the case that it is objective. I hope that I have accurately understood you. If I have not, then I apologize for my thickness. Thanks for your time, patience, and attention.
