If there is no absolute standard of morality then what are you left with?

Answer 1

Here is where something called "principles" comes into play. No, there is not always a clear cut law regarding an issue, but sometimes we have to see what The Bible says about related issues, and use our power of reason to come to a conclusion as to how God would view the matter.

Take for example the case of Joseph. I am referring to the first Joseph mentioned in the Bible in Genesis. In chapter 39, he has been appointed by Potipher, a court offical in Egypt, to mange his household. Potipher's wife likes Joseph and tries to get him to have relations with her. She is very persistant to the point where Joseph has to flee from her. Now you might say,"how does this apply? The law against Adultry is clear cut," and it is....now. But back in Joseph's day, there was no written law at all. The Bible had not yet begun to be written, and God's law concerning adultry did not exist yet. But Joseph knew the account of when God brought Eve to Adam, and when Adam spoke of them becoming one flesh. He knew the fact that they were to be "one flesh."(Gen 2:23,24) So he could reason on the matter, and conclude that God would not approve of him, if he were to give in to Potipher's wife.

There are many principles in the scriptures, such as 2 Cor 7:1, where it tells us to "cleanse ourselves of every defilement of flesh and spirit..."Though this scripture does not meantion specific a "defilement," we can apply that to several things, including, but not limted to, illicite drugs. It's clear that illegal drugs defile the flesh, by ruining our health.

This does not mean that when we obey Bible principles we will receive imediate rewards. In fact, in the short term , we may suffer somwhat. It is interesting that Joseph suffered a temporary problem because of his loyalty to God. If you read the account beginning in Genesis chapter 39, you will see that Potipher's wife ended up making a false accusation against Joseph and had him thrown into prison. But later, Joseph was elevated to second in power in all of Egypt. We also may suffer a temporary setback, as it were, but it will always work out for our good in the long run if we do what is right.

If you have a specific issue that you are trying to resolve, if you re post your specific need, the related Bible scriptures that weigh on the matter may be able to be provided for you.

AnswerWith no absolute standard of morality, one's values are left completely and totally up to the individual. If people were inherently "good," that might not be too bad. Sadly, even the smallest child can show that people are inherently self-centered.

We are born with our spirit � our connection to God � unborn. We tend to "look out for #1," which is always ourselves. Without an absolute standard of morality, which I interpret to mean some standard or set of standards that goes beyond my own opinion, there would be anarchy and chaos, because anybody could do anything without answering to anyone.

CHAOSWhere there is no absolute standard of morality, then everyone is left to their own standards of what's right and wrong. This is at the root of the great issues facing mankind and goes back all the way to the Garden of Eden.

God gave the first human pair a simple test designed to see if they would be obedient and accept his standards. As the creator, Jehovah God has the right that no one else has: to say What is Good and What is Bad. That was the name of the forbidden tree- the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Bad. As we know Adam and Eve turned their back on God's standards and disobeyed and chose (free will) to make their own standards. And as simple as it sounds, all history since then has shown exactly what the result of human rule has brought. Chaos, wars, immorality, disease and suffering.

Fortunately this same history has provided the evidence that God's way of ruling is best and he is justified in enforcing his sovereignty. Very soon all who refuse to accept his standards will be destroyed.

(Psalm 37:10-12) 10 And just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more; And you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be. 11 But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, And they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. . . .

Referring to the days of the last human governments the book of Daniel reveals that God will restore his original purpose for the earth by means of his government which will rule forever.

(Daniel 2:44) 44 "And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite;"

At last God's standards of morality will be The Standard that all must live by. All who do not accept will simply not be tolerated, not allowed to ever disturb the peace and harmony ever again.

AnswerThere can never be an "Absolute Standard of Morality." Because each individual, each group, each Nationality, each Region, each ethnic origins, each religion, each politics etc., have their idea of morality. And each of them believes that their morality is the "Absolute", and it's their duty to impose it to everybody else. Hello War !

Answer 2

Without an absolute standard of morality you would be left with religion. It would then be up to the those appointed to interpret the scriptures to tell us what they believe morality to be.

Fortunately, philosophy can provide a standard of morality that is essentially absolute - certainly less open to interpretation than most scriptures.

Answer 3

Even with all of the teachings of religion, laws made by governments and peer pressure, people can do wrong. Each of us is tasked to do the best we can with what we have to treat other people as we would wish to be treated, which is the Golden Rule. You can choose to do what will make things come out right for everyone - not always easy to decipher - and/or you can do what the religion, law or other people say. It depends on the situation and the consequences of action. It is not enough to depend on others to do right - support and oversight are needed.