Why do Christians claim to get their morals from the bible?

[Muravyets]

I don't understand why using the Bible for moral guidance has to be an all-or-nothing proposition. Yes, I get my morals from the Bible. I don't get ALL my morals from the Bible, and I don't take ALL of the morals from the Bible either. I do not understand the insistance that, for example, if I believe that the parable of the Good Samaritan is a good moral guideline, then I must also accept all of the unsavory and anachronistic morals demanded by Leviticus.

Sounds like you don't get your morals from the Bible at all. You pick and choose which parts of the Bible you're going to use as a blueprint based on...your values. Your moral sense. Your conscience. Your reason.

You get your morals from the same place as everybody else: from a combination of the culture in which you were raised, the values you were taught as you grew, and your own experiences and reason combining to create your own individual moral judgment.

So he externalizes. So the language of the Bible clicks with him in such a way that it allows his conscious mind to formulate and hold consciously concepts that otherwise he would merely feel as impulses and not be able to express and explore intellectually. I do not think it is at all incorrect to describe that kind of processing as "I get (some of) my morals from the Bible."

Other people "get their morals from" other sources, or other mixes of sources, but to my mind, it amounts to the same thing. None of the sources are the SOURCE of morality. They are the expression of morality which, itself, arises out of the self + the group.

That's how I see it.

[Custodiscia]

You can justify pretty much anything by appeal to scripture.

Get caught doing something naughty? Find the right verse, and that's okay - you were serving a higher power.

Umm, can one not do this with anything? "Oh, it's ok that I conquered that city, and burned it to the ground, slaughtering every citizen... Genghis did it, and he's remembered in the annals of history."

So, your point seems a bit too general as it relates to this context specifically.

Actually, if you read the old testamnet, this happens quite a lot.

[Requetium]

We as Christians must claim all of our morals from the Bible because it is the inspired word of God. However there are limits. For example the stoning of women for committing adultery. That is in the Bible but we shouldn't do it because Jesus showed us that it is better to forgive and rehabilitate than to sentence to death. So really you this question shouldn't be "why do Christians claim all their morals from the Bible" but "why do Christians clam to get their morals from Jesus?" And the answer to that is because we should all strive to be like Jesus, the only perfect man.

[New Azura]

We as Christians must claim all of our morals from the Bible because it is the inspired word of God. However there are limits. For example the stoning of women for committing adultery. That is in the Bible but we shouldn't do it because Jesus showed us that it is better to forgive and rehabilitate than to sentence to death. So really you this question shouldn't be "why do Christians claim all their morals from the Bible" but "why do Christians clam to get their morals from Jesus?" And the answer to that is because we should all strive to be like Jesus, the only perfect man.

The Bible must be viewed in context. There are two parts to the Bible: Old Testament and New Testament. The Old Testament serves largely as the backdrop to the fundamental issues that will conflict mankind until the Day of Judgment (sin, man's nature, etc.), and serves as the history of the Hebrews/Israel which necessitates Christ's arrival. The New Testament is the capturing of the final covenant between God and Man: that for His Son, Jesus Christ to take our punishment for us on the cross of Calvary. The New Testament establishes new laws, new customs, and new practices that we are to abide by. Not everything in the Old Testament was thrown away, of course, and Christ teaches us that. But we learn through the Epistles that we are not bound by the old laws (meaning the Hebrew laws or the Mosaic laws, excluding the Commandments) and have been "grafted" into the family, so to speak.

[The People of George]

You can justify pretty much anything by appeal to scripture.

Get caught doing something naughty? Find the right verse, and that's okay - you were serving a higher power.

Umm, can one not do this with anything? "Oh, it's ok that I conquered that city, and burned it to the ground, slaughtering every citizen... Genghis did it, and he's remembered in the annals of history."

So, your point seems a bit too general as it relates to this context specifically.

"I do it because the Mongols did it" isn't half as good as an excuse as "God Told Me" (or the other favourite, "the Devil Made Me Do It").

People have their own free will, the devil may tempt you to do something but ultimately it is up to you to follow through...and when people say "God told me" if it doesn't line up with with the Word says then they didn't hear it from God.

People say that 'god' and 'the devil' told them to do things for exactly the saem reason - it's easy to blame someone who isn't there to call you a liar.

And what i am saying is Christians who do that as a scape goat are wrong...

But, that is why Christians might claim to get their morals from the Bible, no?

There's sufficient conflict in trhe text that - as I said before - you can CLAIM just about any set of morals, or any single moral principle, if you're just willing to look around.

I'm not sure i understand your question. What the Bible teaches are things we try to live for. Meaning no, we are not perfect, yes we fall...but we know that if we repent (and have a true will to change, because God sees the intent of our heart, so if we are not sincere and we are not willing to change we are not forgiven) we will know that God will be forgiven and it is a clean slate. And just like everyone else we get our morals from circumstance also...how we are raised, who we hang out with etc. But if you claim to be a Christian, and your morals do NOT line up with the Word of God you are wrong.

[The People of George]

The bible was written by man...not god...enough said? Why they would listen to man instead of their god is beyond me.

God spoke through the men who wrote the Bible.

[The_pantless_hero]

We as Christians must claim all of our morals from the Bible because it is the inspired word of God. However there are limits. For example the stoning of women for committing adultery. That is in the Bible but we shouldn't do it because Jesus showed us that it is better to forgive and rehabilitate than to sentence to death. So really you this question shouldn't be "why do Christians claim all their morals from the Bible" but "why do Christians clam to get their morals from Jesus?" And the answer to that is because we should all strive to be like Jesus, the only perfect man.

I thought Christians got all their morals from Paul.

[Sdaeriji]

You get your morals from the same place as everybody else: from a combination of the culture in which you were raised, the values you were taught as you grew, and your own experiences and reason combining to create your own individual moral judgment.

Right...and the Bible and my Catholic faith were big parts the culture in which I was raised, the values I was taught as I grew, and my own experiences. So, I think it's completely accurate to say that I got some of my morals from the Bible.

[Lunatic Goofballs]

The bible was written by man...not god...enough said? Why they would listen to man instead of their god is beyond me.

God spoke through the men who wrote the Bible.

According to the Bible.

[Farnhamia]

The bible was written by man...not god...enough said? Why they would listen to man instead of their god is beyond me.

God spoke through the men who wrote the Bible.

According to the Bible.

Which has been good enough for millions of people for thousands of years. That's not good enough for you, Mr. Big Shot Moderator?

Yeah, circular reasoning works because circular reasoning works.

[The Ahemalt Outcasts]

Guys I asked you a question, I would appreciate it if you would answer it.


( Page 4 @ the bottom of the page )

[New Azura]

Guys I asked you a question, I would appreciate it if you would answer it.


( Page 4 @ the bottom of the page )

What question was that, again?

[Treznor]

I'm just wondering why Christianity is the only major religion attacked for their beliefs?

It isn't. It's the only major religion that posts to this forum, which tends to make it a target. No one argues that Christianity shouldn't be allowed to exist, which has been argued about Islam. No one complains about evangelical Buddhists because they don't post here. No one argues that Mormons are deluded because...wait, yes we do because they've posted here.

Christianity isn't being singled out here. Christians make Christianity a big target in this forums, so it gets the attention its followers demand for it.

[The Ahemalt Outcasts]

What about Satanist, and other folks who don't believe in god. I see quite a few posts about them.

[Treznor]

What about Satanist, and other folks who don't believe in god. I see quite a few posts about them.

What about them?

[Lunatic Goofballs]

I'm just wondering why Christianity is the only major religion attacked for their beliefs?

I'm assuming you've been off-planet the last eight years, so I'll fill you in on a few happenings lately: See, 19 Saudis representing a radical version of Islamic beliefs crashed airliners into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Since then, Islam has come under nearly constant attack from many media and government sources as an 'evil' religion. Immigration in Europe has also generated new hate toward Islam as nations seek to bolster their population figures to avoid declines due to the fact that fewer and fewer young people have excessive children. Recently, the true villainy of Tom Cruise has led to an unveiling of Scientology as the true source of Evil on Earth and an epic battle between Scientology and the heroic forces of Anonymous continues to rock the Internet.

Oh, and China still represses Tibet and the Falun Gong.

Have I missed anything?

[Farnhamia]

I'm just wondering why Christianity is the only major religion attacked for their beliefs?

I'm assuming you've been off-planet the last eight years, so I'll fill you in on a few happenings lately: See, 19 Saudis representing a radical version of Islamic beliefs crashed airliners into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Since then, Islam has come under nearly constant attack from many media and government sources as an 'evil' religion. Immigration in Europe has also generated new hate toward Islam as nations seek to bolster their population figures to avoid declines due to the fact that fewer and fewer young people have excessive children. Recently, the true villainy of Tom Cruise has led to an unveiling of Scientology as the true source of Evil on Earth and an epic battle between Scientology and the heroic forces of Anonymous continues to rock the Internet.

Oh, and China still represses Tibet and the Falun Gong.

Have I missed anything?

Within Islam, the Sunnis and the Shi'ites are still yelling at each other (when they're too tired to use bombs and bullets), and they both have nothing but disdain for the Bah'ai. It's like Tom Lehrer's song "National Brotherhood Week":

Oh, the Protestants hate the Catholics,
And the Catholics hate the Protestants,
And the Hindus hate the Muslims,
And everybody hates the Jews.

[Lunatic Goofballs]

I'm just wondering why Christianity is the only major religion attacked for their beliefs?

I'm assuming you've been off-planet the last eight years, so I'll fill you in on a few happenings lately: See, 19 Saudis representing a radical version of Islamic beliefs crashed airliners into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Since then, Islam has come under nearly constant attack from many media and government sources as an 'evil' religion. Immigration in Europe has also generated new hate toward Islam as nations seek to bolster their population figures to avoid declines due to the fact that fewer and fewer young people have excessive children. Recently, the true villainy of Tom Cruise has led to an unveiling of Scientology as the true source of Evil on Earth and an epic battle between Scientology and the heroic forces of Anonymous continues to rock the Internet.

Oh, and China still represses Tibet and the Falun Gong.

Have I missed anything?

Within Islam, the Sunnis and the Shi'ites are still yelling at each other (when they're too tired to use bombs and bullets), and they both have nothing but disdain for the Bah'ai. It's like Tom Lehrer's song "National Brotherhood Week":

Oh, the Protestants hate the Catholics,
And the Catholics hate the Protestants,
And the Hindus hate the Muslims,
And everybody hates the Jews.

Ah, yes. Thanks.

[Sdaeriji]

I'm just wondering why Christianity is the only major religion attacked for their beliefs?

I'm assuming you've been off-planet the last eight years, so I'll fill you in on a few happenings lately: See, 19 Saudis representing a radical version of Islamic beliefs crashed airliners into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Since then, Islam has come under nearly constant attack from many media and government sources as an 'evil' religion. Immigration in Europe has also generated new hate toward Islam as nations seek to bolster their population figures to avoid declines due to the fact that fewer and fewer young people have excessive children. Recently, the true villainy of Tom Cruise has led to an unveiling of Scientology as the true source of Evil on Earth and an epic battle between Scientology and the heroic forces of Anonymous continues to rock the Internet.

Oh, and China still represses Tibet and the Falun Gong.

Have I missed anything?

There was also that Holocaust thing a couple years back.

[The Ahemalt Outcasts]

I'm just wondering why Christianity is the only major religion attacked for their beliefs?

I'm assuming you've been off-planet the last eight years, so I'll fill you in on a few happenings lately: See, 19 Saudis representing a radical version of Islamic beliefs crashed airliners into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Since then, Islam has come under nearly constant attack from many media and government sources as an 'evil' religion. Immigration in Europe has also generated new hate toward Islam as nations seek to bolster their population figures to avoid declines due to the fact that fewer and fewer young people have excessive children. Recently, the true villainy of Tom Cruise has led to an unveiling of Scientology as the true source of Evil on Earth and an epic battle between Scientology and the heroic forces of Anonymous continues to rock the Internet.

Oh, and China still represses Tibet and the Falun Gong.

Have I missed anything?

Islam of the past has been known to have the desire to conquer other countries. Maybe this is at least part of the Christians reasoning.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_conquests

[Lunatic Goofballs]

I'm just wondering why Christianity is the only major religion attacked for their beliefs?

I'm assuming you've been off-planet the last eight years, so I'll fill you in on a few happenings lately: See, 19 Saudis representing a radical version of Islamic beliefs crashed airliners into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Since then, Islam has come under nearly constant attack from many media and government sources as an 'evil' religion. Immigration in Europe has also generated new hate toward Islam as nations seek to bolster their population figures to avoid declines due to the fact that fewer and fewer young people have excessive children. Recently, the true villainy of Tom Cruise has led to an unveiling of Scientology as the true source of Evil on Earth and an epic battle between Scientology and the heroic forces of Anonymous continues to rock the Internet.

Oh, and China still represses Tibet and the Falun Gong.

Have I missed anything?

Islam of the past has been known to have the desire to conquer other countries. Maybe this is at least part of the Christians reasoning.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_conquests

Ah, well then attack away. It's not like the spreading of christianity to heathen natives has ever been used as a motivation for conquest in the past.

PS: What you just did was attack a religion other than Christianity. Just thought you ought to know.

[Farnhamia]

I'm just wondering why Christianity is the only major religion attacked for their beliefs?

I'm assuming you've been off-planet the last eight years, so I'll fill you in on a few happenings lately: See, 19 Saudis representing a radical version of Islamic beliefs crashed airliners into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Since then, Islam has come under nearly constant attack from many media and government sources as an 'evil' religion. Immigration in Europe has also generated new hate toward Islam as nations seek to bolster their population figures to avoid declines due to the fact that fewer and fewer young people have excessive children. Recently, the true villainy of Tom Cruise has led to an unveiling of Scientology as the true source of Evil on Earth and an epic battle between Scientology and the heroic forces of Anonymous continues to rock the Internet.

Oh, and China still represses Tibet and the Falun Gong.

Have I missed anything?

Islam of the past has been known to have the desire to conquer other countries. Maybe this is at least part of the Christians reasoning.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_conquests

As have Christian countries. And the Islamic world hasn't had a strong enough political base or the technology to stand up to the West since, oh, somewhere in the 17th century, when the Turks were finally driven back from Austria.

[Treznor]

I'm just wondering why Christianity is the only major religion attacked for their beliefs?

I'm assuming you've been off-planet the last eight years, so I'll fill you in on a few happenings lately: See, 19 Saudis representing a radical version of Islamic beliefs crashed airliners into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Since then, Islam has come under nearly constant attack from many media and government sources as an 'evil' religion. Immigration in Europe has also generated new hate toward Islam as nations seek to bolster their population figures to avoid declines due to the fact that fewer and fewer young people have excessive children. Recently, the true villainy of Tom Cruise has led to an unveiling of Scientology as the true source of Evil on Earth and an epic battle between Scientology and the heroic forces of Anonymous continues to rock the Internet.

Oh, and China still represses Tibet and the Falun Gong.

Have I missed anything?

Islam of the past has been known to have the desire to conquer other countries. Maybe this is at least part of the Christians reasoning.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_conquests

Christianity of the past has been to known to have the desire to conquer other countries. Maybe this is part of the non-Christians' reasoning.

[Lunatic Goofballs]

Sorry. I had a little bit of a snafu with the new mod controls. I think I have it sorted now.

[Treznor]

Sorry. I had a little bit of a snafu with the new mod controls. I think I have it sorted now.

Sure, rub it in. We don't mind, honest!

You guys, hurry up with those pitchforks!