Christian vs Non-Christian Morality

[golgotha61]

Can anybody name a single moral action that a Christian can do but that a non-christian cannot?

Drich gave an excellent answer and I would like to expand on his premise. If you are asking if a non-Christian can perform a righteous or moral act based on God's law, then yes it can be done. (Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while). The standard is God's law and holiness and not man's concept of morality, like Drich describes, rightly so, as "man's failed attempt at God's stated righteousness".

There are moral acts defined by man's standards that would be considered immoral compared to God's holiness and righteousness, so the standard of morality must be God's standard. As a side note, there is one specific act of morality that a non-Christian cannot perform and that is: "Matthew 22:37 (KJV) 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."


There are some truths though that take this discussion to another level and that is accountability and forgiveness. Believers commit immoral actions just like non-Christians do, the real issue is being held accountable for and judged by God for those immoral actions or, a better term, sins. The question that would have the greater impact on a person then is "how do I receive forgiveness for my immoral acts?"

 

[AlexBP]

Morality is doing right, no matter what you are told. Religion is doing what you are told, no matter what is right.
...
Was it Gandhi who said "I like your Christ, but not your Christians"?

So you're quoting Gandhi at us. Do you have any idea what Gandhi said about atheists?

 

[drich0150]

Morality is doing right, no matter what you are told. Religion is doing what you are told, no matter what is right.

Morality is doing what you are told is right by the general consensus of the culture at large.

Righteousness is the standards of God despite what pop culture dictates "morality" to be.

The "Church" follows the righteousness of God over that of popular culture.

 

[elman]

Morality is doing what you are told is right by the general consensus of the culture at large.

Righteousness is the standards of God despite what pop culture dictates "morality" to be.

The "Church" follows the righteousness of God over that of popular culture.

I disagree with your defintion of morality. Morality is not determined by majority vote. It is what God writes on your heart that allows you to know what is the loving thing to do regardless of what someone else is trying to get you to do. It is the same as righteousness and no church that is visable follows the righeousness of God without exception. Churches are routinly influenced by popular culture.

 

[drich0150]

I disagree with your definition of morality. Morality is not determined by majority vote. It is what God writes on your heart that allows you to know what is the loving thing to do regardless of what someone else is trying to get you to do.

so when The Nazis "felt" that god wrote on their hearts to exterminate the Jews they were simply following the will of God despite what scripture told them He wanted? "Just following orders..of god."

For that matter how do you explain every signal instance when the Expressed or written will of God (As recorded in the bible) contradicts what people "Feel" is morally right?

It is the same as righteousness and no church that is visible follows the righteousness of God without exception. Churches are routinely influenced by popular culture.

This fits my original definition of "Morality" in post number 2. At no point did I say Christianity is or has obtain God's righteousness by the accomplishments of its deeds or goals. Christianity is also subject to the rule of "morality." I simply pointed out one does not have to be Christian to be moral. Believers and Unbelievers alike do indeed equally fail in the pursuit of true righteousness. again that is what "morality" is, A Failed attempt or can even be a personal sense of righteousness. One that often time allows for the sins we as a society find acceptable. that is why "morality" can never equate to true righteousness.

 

[elman]

=drich0150;58744495]so when The Nazis "felt" that god wrote on their hearts to exterminate the Jews they were simply following the will of God despite what scripture told them He wanted? "Just following orders..of god."

You argue that morality is determined by the majority. I said it is not; and the Nazis were immoral and God did not write on their hearts it was good to exterminat the Jews.

For that matter how do you explain every signal instance when the Expressed or written will of God (As recorded in the bible) contradicts what people "Feel" is morally right?

If we feel it is wrong to murder our son in sacrifice to God then the bible is not God speaking to us if it tells us it is right to murder our son in sacrifice to Him.

This fits my original definition of "Morality" in post number 2. At no point did I say Christianity is or has obtain God's righteousness by the accomplishments of its deeds or goals. Christianity is also subject to the rule of "morality." I simply pointed out one does not have to be Christian to be moral.

I believe one is being Christian to be moral. Morality is about loving others and being righteous in our relationships with others.

Believers and Unbelievers alike do indeed equally fail in the pursuit of true righteousness. again that is what "morality" is, A Failed attempt or can even be a personal sense of righteousness.

No the failed attempt at righteousness is not morality.

One that often time allows for the sins we as a society find acceptable. that is why "morality" can never equate to true righteousness

.Again society finding something acceptable does not make something moral. The Natzi were not moral in killing the Jews.