Christianity is a faith based on teachings and principles of Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus Christ. Believing in Jesus as the son of God is central to Christian faith and it is the cornerstone of all the teachings. Christianity centers around the life of Jesus, his teachings and the beliefs of the church that he founded. This thus leads to the question of whether Christianity is moral or not.
When discussing the morality of Christianity, it is important to consider what other faith traditions have to say on the matter. According to Imam Ibrahim, Prophet Muhammad’s uncle, when asked about the best religion he replied, “When asked that question, I’d say that any religion which guides its followers to be in a balanced state of awareness, goodness and doing good deeds is the best. This is what I’ve learned from my readings of the Quran and Torah and the teachings of Jesus and Moses.” Likewise, author Stephen Prothero said in his book, The American Bible: How Our Words Unite, Divide, and Define a Nation, “No religion is moral or immoral on its own. All religion becomes moral or immoral depending on how its believers go about following it.” It is the individuals who adhere to the beliefs of Christianity who ultimately determine whether or not it is a moral religion.
Those who study and debate the morality of Christianity regularly point out what they see as its key tenets. Richard W Wood in his research article, “The Ten Commandments: Christianity as a Moral Religion”, cites several as examples. These include the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, and the Ten Commandments. While some may argue that the content of the Ten Commandments may not be suitable for today’s moral importance, it still provides a solid set of guidelines and standards for how to behave ethically.
Psychologist Joshua Greene believes there is a scientific basis for many Christian moral principles. In an article for Psychology Today, he explains, “Research has shown that our brains are programmed not only for survival and pleasure but also for morality. Different societies may disagree about the particulars of morality, but human psychologies seem tuned to notice transgressions and to care about fairness. Our brains don’t just demand justice—they demand punishment of wrongdoers.” Greene goes on to explain that the common thread between modern science and Christian teachings is that the best way to lead a moral life is by avoiding pain and suffering while seeking pleasure and meaning.
In addition to scientific evidence, experts often point to its historical roots as well. For instance, the New Testament scholar N.T. Wright claims that the root of moral teachings in Christianity is found in the Hebrew Bible. He explains, “The New Testament was strongly informed by the Hebrew Scriptures, which are accepted by all branches of Christianity as part of their canon.” He also argues that the moral teachings of Christianity, as found in the Old and New Testaments, can provide a blueprint for a more ethical society.
In conclusion, whether or not Christianity is moral can be debated from various angles. Different faith traditions may have various approaches to the matter, but the common thread is that morality must be learned and practiced if it is to have any effect. While scientific and historical evidence can provide a foundation for moral teachings, ultimately it is up to the individual to determine how to follow the teachings in order to be a moral person.
Sectarianism in Christianity
Throughout the timeline of Christianity, differences in doctrine and beliefs have divided the faith with some groups going as far as forming their own ‘sects’ to express their beliefs. These sectarian differences have been an active area of discussion, specifically the way they affect unity in the Church and the notion of Christian morality. As religion scholar Diane Winston from Princeton University explains, “Christianity is especially noteworthy for its countless riffs and renditions and its aggressive sectarian competition.”
Influential Protestant church leaders, such as the German reformer Martin Luther and the Puritan John Calvin, strengthened the sectarianism within Christianity during the Reformation with their works, calling for a different way of interpreting the Bible. Sectarianism became more visible during the Counter-Reformation as Catholics sought to respond to the ideas of the Reformers with their own. Then, during the 19th century, denominations such as the Pentecostal Church, the Baptists and the Methodists emerged, further dividing Christianity into smaller sects.
Therefore, the presence of multiple divisions within Christianity can make it difficult to reach a unified understanding of morality or to adhere to the teachings amongst different doctrinal groups. Different views on moral issues exist between groups and between denominations, which can cause tension and resistance towards one another. The presence of sectarianism in Christianity does not foster morality as true cooperation is needed in order to be unified in this regard.
In light of this, it is important to point out that the Church has sought to mitigate division by encouraging ecumenism. Ecumenism, unifying the Church, has been a fundamental goal of the Catholic Church since the 1960s, when Pope John XXIII called the Second Vatican Council and invited individual denominations of Protestantism to the table. It is no wonder then that in 2015 Pope Francis called on Christians to set aside their differences and recognise the unified power of the Church.
Morality in practice
Many Christian denominations preach moral values that aim to inspire followers to be better in their day to day lives. This is done in a variety of ways, such as by incorporating traditional Christian values in sermons, bible study groups, and church activities.
It is also important to recognize that not all denominations have the same approach when it comes to morality and its practice. For example, some denominations focus heavily on the importance of following the ‘absolute’ teachings of the Bible, emphasising a strict adherence to rules. Others use story-telling as a way to teach moral lessons and emphasise the importance of service, compassion and living in harmony with others.
In addition to sermons, various forms of religious education are also used by different denominations to encourage morality. At a Catholic Church, for example, young people learn about the Ten Commandments and how to live as moral followers of Jesus. Another example is youth groups at Protestant Churches which challenge teenagers to think critically about issues and how their decisions can affect others.
Overall, it is clear that Christianity provides an opportunity for its followers to be taught and to practice moral values. It is these values that will, in turn, lead to a kinder, more just, and more unified world.
Morality in the Digital Age
Social media, digital and streaming technology have revolutionised the way we interact with and consume media. But when it comes to moral living, do these digital tools provide an opportunity for deeper moral engagement?
The answer, according to Dr. Stephen Skinner, professor of theology and ethics at Emory University, is yes. He believes that social media has the potential to be a powerful force for good. He explains, “Technology provides us with a unique opportunity to embrace uncertainty, develop relationships with diverse people, foster understanding, and care for the vulnerable among us.”
Social media can also be a terrific platform for sharing stories of moral imperative. For example, organizations such as Catholic Charities and Feeding America have leveraged the power of social media to share stories of personal commitment and social change. In the same way, Christian families can use social media to share their own moments of moral guidance and challenge each other to take on more responsibility in the real world.
This is not to suggest that digital technology is a cure-all for moral dilemma. Digital tools can just as easily be used to spread misinformation or to encourage harmful behaviour. Nevertheless, when used in the right way digital tools can be used to enrich moral engagement – to help us indulge in difficult conversations, to think more critically, to deepen our understanding of moral teachings and ultimately to live as moral people.
The Issue of Abortion
Abortion has long been a topic of controversy and division within the Christian faith. Many church denominations will encourage followers to uphold pro-life views and criminalise abortion in cases that are not strictly considered life-threatening.
On the other hand, some churches will advocate for pro-choice laws and recognise the right of women to make their own decisions on the matter. They often recognise that there are often complex factors at play in the decision to have an abortion, such as health risks and financial difficulty. They further argue that this decision should be made without fear of judgement from the Church or from society.
Additionally, it is important to note that even within pro-life denominations, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Professor Sarah Sterson from Vanderbilt University explains, “There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to abortion, including the circumstances of each individual case. Depending on their beliefs, different denominations may encourage their followers to be more compassionate or provide support for those considering the option of abortion.”
In any case, it is clear that this is a difficult and complicated subject matter. Whatever beliefs or moral imperatives one holds, it is key to understand and respect the varying beliefs and opinions held by individuals as well as the Church itself.
