Is Christian morality superior or inferior to secular morality? Why?

It seems to me that Christian morality ultimately falls back on what god wants, whether or not that is for the well being of humans, while secular morality is based upon what is the in interest of a human's well being.

It seems to me that morality which is centered around what is in the best interest of people is necessarily superior to one which as a foundation relies on what a god wants or (more realistically) what people reckon their god wants.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

astrosandorbits · 26-30, M

I cant necessarily say one is superior over the other for sure. The christian argument would perhaps be that because it is what God wants, it benefits humans more than what we could do/want for ourselves using our own moral compass. Even on things we perhaps disagree with or dont understand. I am not a Christian, but i have heard this argument before: We do not know best what is good and bad for us; only God does.
A big one to me is what is just? Was it just for the god in the old testament to kill numerous tribes using the israelites and ordering the men to kill the children and women? Justice and what is just is important in my opinion to issues that are especially sensitive (i.e., the death penalty)
Another big question goes back to the philosophical argument of morality itself: Is morality objective or subjective/relative?
I do believe in an objective moral code. I dont know all the answers of course... but i do think a lot of good moral sentiments come from the Bible, and they have become fundamental building blocks of various western societies. Of course not everything weve adopted in our societies is good or ideal, but many things are.

In the end, it is hard to say that when it is centered on what people want it is better. Simply because we want many things we shouldnt want (and we know better).

Idk it's a good question, and i could take my response in so many directions. I havent even scratched the surface. If this was a question on an exam, id qualify the statement 😅🤟

Pikachu

@astrosandorbits

[quote]because it is what God wants, it benefits humans more than what we could do/want for ourselves using our own moral compass[/quote]

Indeed. But that demands relying on faith that what appears to be monstrous is actually benevolence.
I'm not too comfortable with that.
It's the theological equivalent of "Trust me, bro". lol

[quote]A big one to me is what is just?[/quote]

Agreed.
And i think that's a key point with regard to the superiority/inferiority of Christian morality.
Is it just to murder men, women and children so that you can live where they're living? Is it just to punish the son for the crimes of the father? Is it just to kill otherwise innocent people on the basis that they have associated with the guilty party?
Well under the Christian moral system the answer is "Yes" on all counts because these are examples of god's justice but in any other context most of us would agree that this does not represent justice.

Diotrephes · 70-79, M

@astrosandorbits You're forgetting that according to the biblical fairy tale, God said in Genesis 3:22 (NKJV) = "22 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”—

So, humans are just as smart and knowledgeable about good and evil as the God creature is. Therefore, we no longer need his input on those issues.