RE: What does religion have to offer?
July 19, 2019 at 11:03 pm
(This post was last modified: July 19, 2019 at 11:06 pm by BryanS.)
(July 19, 2019 at 1:05 pm)Aegon Wrote: What about a situation where one has a blend of their own morals from experience and the Bible, and is aware that they are doing that? What about those who recognize it is possible to be good for goodness sake while simultaneously saying that it has a basis in their faith? I don't know, it feels like you're oversimplifying both the Bible and morality.
The Bible is quite explicit about morality coming from the authority of god (Moses's tablets delivered from Mt Sainai, and Jesus's sermon on the mount delivered in homage to that act). Indeed, if there is a morality that is independent from what any god says (as atheists argue) then what need for god? A Christian such as you describe has essentially decided to do away with any need for god.
Often times, such a Christian who has their own morality separate from their faith will selectively call on authority of their faith to insist on a morality that is in conflict with society's evolving mores. Everyone knew homosexuality was morally wrong, and the Bible seemed to agree. From the Bible, one can learn just how a master is to treat his slaves. And the Bible is quite clear about the subservient roll wives must have to their husbands. The religiously devout are often the last to acknowledge changing morality, and the Bible and resulting Christian faith deserves much of the blame.
(July 19, 2019 at 1:24 pm)Brian37 Wrote: I wouldn't limit "a la carte" to Christianity. It owns no patent on that. Every religion, bar none, has sub sects under the same umbrella label that do not agree with the other interpretations of the other sects of that same religion.
I of course agree, but just arguing the Christian angle since that appears to be my audience at the moment. This is an attribute of religion in general.
