Difference right and wrong

[mindlight]

How can you tell the difference between right and wrong? How do you determine how to judge fairly? What do you need to understand to separate good actions from bad actions?

 

[Eryk]

Off the top of my head, I can think of two basic rules of thumb according to the Bible.

•If we put our hope in things of this world, that is idolatry.

•Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:10). Be careful not to cause others to suffer.

At all times we should rejoice, pray, and give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). This, coupled with a daily reading of the Scriptures (Deut. 6: 6-7) will focus our minds on God and teach us what he requires. They ground us in love, joy, and peace with soberness of mind.

If we are being judgemental against others in our thoughts or words, we can think of similar things we have done in thought, words, or deeds (Matt 7:3-5 and Romans 2:1). This will keep us humble, and we will think of the mistakes of others with understanding. We must not only judge rightly. We must do it with humility.

 

[SkyWriting]

How can you tell the difference between right and wrong? How do you determine how to judge fairly? What do you need to understand to separate good actions from bad actions?

James 4:17
So whoever knows the right thing to do
and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Mathew 7: 12
In everything then, do unto others as you would have them
do unto you. For this is the essence of the Law and the prophets.

Luke 6:31
Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Romans 13:8
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law.

Romans 13:10
Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.

Galatians 5:14
The entire Law is fulfilled in a single decree: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

James 2:8
If you really keep the royal law stated in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

How can you tell the difference between right and wrong? How do you determine how to judge fairly? What do you need to understand to separate good actions from bad actions?

Many don't understand the finer points. To understand this principle I suggest that people place their grocery carts neatly in the 'cart corral' instead of adding them thoughtlessly to the usual jumbled mess. Then think about what you just did and the impact it would have if everyone did the same. The impact on society of doing (such) things exactly right would be enormous.

 

[bhsmte]

How can you tell the difference between right and wrong? How do you determine how to judge fairly? What do you need to understand to separate good actions from bad actions?

How the actions impact the well being (of others) and whether they infringe on the rights of others.

 

[ananda]

How can you tell the difference between right and wrong? How do you determine how to judge fairly? What do you need to understand to separate good actions from bad actions?

In early Buddhism (as I practice it), "right" and "wrong" exists on a continuum, just like "hot" and "cold".

An act is more right if it results in a totality of less discontentment/suffering for one's self and/or others. An act is more wrong if it results in a totality of more discontentment/suffering for one's self and/or others.

 

[zephcom]

How can you tell the difference between right and wrong? How do you determine how to judge fairly? What do you need to understand to separate good actions from bad actions?

Three good questions. I am going to assume you are asking them from a moral point of view.

The difference between right and wrong is simple to say, a bit more difficult to accomplish in real life. 'Right' serves to lift people up, to benefit them or to make them or their condition better. 'Wrong' serves to put people down, to harm them in one way or another or to make them or their condition worse.

Judging fairly is a bit more difficult for average people. To judge fairly one needs to be able to first recognize one's own prejudices and biases. If one does not or cannot recognize their own prejudices and biases, they are unable to adjust their judgement to account for them. Without doing that, one is simply unable to judge fairly.

Finally one only needs to understand one thing to be able to know good actions from bad actions...is the action in question loving toward others or not. Loving actions are good, bad actions are not loving

 

[mindlight]

James 4:17
So whoever knows the right thing to do
and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Mathew 7: 12
In everything then, do unto others as you would have them
do unto you. For this is the essence of the Law and the prophets.

Luke 6:31
Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Romans 13:8
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law.

Romans 13:10
Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.

Galatians 5:14
The entire Law is fulfilled in a single decree: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

James 2:8
If you really keep the royal law stated in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well.

This is a good basis for ethical action. Do unto others as you would have them do to you.

It made me laugh though cause I immediately thought about a few family meals I cooked recently. I loved all of them and would be happy if someone cooked the same for me. My daughter hated all of them and ate toast those nights.

So I think there must be more diversity in the implementation of this action. It is love for my daughter to cook me just about anything. But i have to be far more selective in what I cook for my daughter for her to feel loved in the same way.

 

[mindlight]

Off the top of my head, I can think of two basic rules of thumb according to the Bible.

•If we put our hope in things of this world, that is idolatry.

So actions that express idolatries or addictive behaviour lacking true perspective might be ruled out as wrong.

•Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:10). Be careful not to cause others to suffer.

Pain or causing it is not really the focus of right and wrong. We spend too much time worrying about offending people who are driving in the direction of clifftops, minefields and other kinds of personal catastrophe. I hated my parents for stopping me from going to that concert at 15. But I was underage and not emotionally equipped for the experience so actually they did me a favour.

At all times we should rejoice, pray, and give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). This, coupled with a daily reading of the Scriptures (Deut. 6: 6-7) will focus our minds on God and teach us what he requires. They ground us in love, joy, and peace with soberness of mind.

Yes to that

If we are being judgemental against others in our thoughts or words, we can think of similar things we have done in thought, words, or deeds (Matt 7:3-5 and Romans 2:1). This will keep us humble, and we will think of the mistakes of others with understanding. We must not only judge rightly. We must do it with humility.

The humility to recognise we have often failed ourselves should be accompanied by the confidence to do what is right nonetheless. In a sense our own failings are not the focus bit rather what will restore the overall situation. Being right with God ourselves is a part of that though.

 

[mindlight]

How the actions impact the well being (of others) and whether they infringe on the rights of others.

Rights? I may respect people made in Gods image and the dignity inherent to every person but do people have rights? As a Christian i must do right by people, tell them the truth, deal with them fairly but the insistence they have a right to insist on this would have to carry some authority I could recognise. An atheist could not insist he had this right even though I would still choose to treat him fairly.

I do not burn another mans car cause it is the wrong thing to do. That possession is an extension of the man himself and I am not called to be so violent on a personal level.

 

[mindlight]

In early Buddhism (as I practice it), "right" and "wrong" exists on a continuum, just like "hot" and "cold".

An act is more right if it results in a totality of less discontentment/suffering for one's self and/or others. An act is more wrong if it results in a totality of more discontentment/suffering for one's self and/or others.

2/3rds of the planet are going to hell. I think that might be a little painful to hear but people on the highway to hell need to be told they are going the wrong way however painful and inconvenient that is for them , their families and whole country.

 

[mindlight]

Three good questions. I am going to assume you are asking them from a moral point of view.

The difference between right and wrong is simple to say, a bit more difficult to accomplish in real life. 'Right' serves to lift people up, to benefit them or to make them or their condition better. 'Wrong' serves to put people down, to harm them in one way or another or to make them or their condition worse.

Judging fairly is a bit more difficult for average people. To judge fairly one needs to be able to first recognize one's own prejudices and biases. If one does not or cannot recognize their own prejudices and biases, they are unable to adjust their judgement to account for them. Without doing that, one is simply unable to judge fairly.

Finally one only needs to understand one thing to be able to know good actions from bad actions...is the action in question loving toward others or not. Loving actions are good, bad actions are not loving

Pretty good answer. Doing something positive for someone is not just for this life and will not have merely this worldly impacts. It is hard to measure impacts you cannot see.

Maybe someone should walk into a gay night club with a megaphone, or a mosque with the same and say repent and believe in the good news of Jesus Christ!

 

[ananda]

2/3rds of the planet are going to hell. I think that might be a little painful to hear but people on the highway to hell need to be told they are going the wrong way however painful and inconvenient that is for them , their families and whole country.

I have no personal knowledge of this dogma.

 

[bhsmte]

Rights? I may respect people made in Gods image and the dignity inherent to every person but do people have rights? As a Christian i must do right by people, tell them the truth, deal with them fairly but the insistence they have a right to insist on this would have to carry some authority I could recognise. An atheist could not insist he had this right even though I would still choose to treat him fairly.

I do not burn another mans car cause it is the wrong thing to do. That possession is an extension of the man himself and I am not called to be so violent on a personal level.

Yes, people have rights. That is, if you believe in the rule of law in society.

 

[bhsmte]

2/3rds of the planet are going to hell. I think that might be a little painful to hear but people on the highway to hell need to be told they are going the wrong way however painful and inconvenient that is for them , their families and whole country.

Why would it be painful to hear this opinion, if many don't see any reason to believe it? In the end, it is a personal theological belief, which you are welcome to.

 

[zephcom]

Pretty good answer. Doing something positive for someone is not just for this life and will not have merely this worldly impacts. It is hard to measure impacts you cannot see.

Maybe someone should walk into a gay night club with a megaphone, or a mosque with the same and say repent and believe in the good news of Jesus Christ!

I suspect I have a different idea of what the 'good news of Jesus Christ' really is. And I don't think it is loving to use that to beat people over the head with.

 

[SkyWriting]

This is a good basis for ethical action. Do unto others as you would have them do to you.

It made me laugh though cause I immediately thought about a few family meals I cooked recently. I loved all of them and would be happy if someone cooked the same for me. My daughter hated all of them and ate toast those nights.

So I think there must be more diversity in the implementation of this action. It is love for my daughter to cook me just about anything. But i have to be far more selective in what I cook for my daughter for her to feel loved in the same way.

So you feel that you would prefer that people consider your food interests?
One interesting thing about "doing unto others" is that the results change
due to continued introspect.

This is another reason church leaders avoid teaching it, the results do change.

 

[SkyWriting]

Rights? I may respect people made in Gods image and the dignity inherent to every person but do people have rights?

Not so much in the UK.


1Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
2Right to keep and bear arms in order to maintain a well regulated militia.
3 No quartering of soldiers.
4 Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.
5 Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, double jeopardy.
6 Rights of accused persons, e.g., right to a speedy and public trial.
7Right of trial by jury in civil cases.
8 Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishments.
9 Other rights of the people.
10 Powers reserved to the states.

 

[zephcom]

This is a good basis for ethical action. Do unto others as you would have them do to you.

It made me laugh though cause I immediately thought about a few family meals I cooked recently. I loved all of them and would be happy if someone cooked the same for me. My daughter hated all of them and ate toast those nights.

So I think there must be more diversity in the implementation of this action. It is love for my daughter to cook me just about anything. But i have to be far more selective in what I cook for my daughter for her to feel loved in the same way.

Would you feel as loved if your daughter made you a meal of food you don't like?

It is the consideration that you chose to make a meal of food -she- liked even if you don't like that food is the loving action...that you would put her likes and dislikes ahead of yourself is what demonstrates love.

It is the servant thing that Jesus talks about. The servant only seeks to please his master and not himself.

 

[Introverted1293]

How can you tell the difference between right and wrong? How do you determine how to judge fairly? What do you need to understand to separate good actions from bad actions?

I am sure that many Christians have said this on here. I am sure if you treat other people the way that you want to be treated then you are doing the right thing. And that's just not a Christian concept, I have heard many non-christians use that same concept. But it was Jesus who said it.

But this is how I think. I believe in treating other people in the way they want to be treated. Because not everybody may want to be treated in the same way you want to be treated. For example, you may be a very social person and you love saying hi to people everywhere you go because you like it when people say hi to you. But say that you have a neighbor that isn't all that social and doesn't really like to talk to a lot of people. What do you do? Do you continue to talk to him and annoy him? So for me I don't treat other people the way that I want to be treated, I treat other people the way they want to be treated. I keep to myself and I let people come up to me and introduce themselves to me instead of the other way around.

However if somebody is in distress of course they are going to want some help. I just saw a video of a 32 year old man who was drowned in a pond where a bunch of teenagers were filming it and laughing. It would be obvious to me that he would want somebody to help him. I mean he screamed for help. But even if you didn't it would be obvious that he would want some help. In my opinion it would be wrong to stand there and not do anything while this man drowns.

To be perfectly honest I don't know what I am talking about. I just think that we all have differences of opinion of what right and wrong is in some circumstances, but in other circumstances it would be obvious.

Most human beings believe it is wrong to hurt another human being and it is wrong to stand there and do nothing while another human being is getting hurt. But then you have issues like is it wrong to smoke weed because it does not hurt another human being. So it's really difficult for me to answer this question. I guess that just shows the lack of intelligence that I have.

So when it comes to right and wrong yes I have to go with what scripture says even if I don't understand the reasons why some things are sins and some things are not. I think that if I depended my on my own understanding of what right and wrong is it would probably bring death to me spiritually.