Labeling harmless actions/things/activities as immoral.

[Robert65]

Why does Christianity label harmless action/things/activities as immoral? Examples:Heavy Metal, Dungeons & Dragons, long hair on men, braless women, etc. Secondary question: What is the boundary that separates action from immoral action? If you cannot answer question 2 then how can you know right from wrong in terms of morality?

Note. If you claim something is immoral/wrong/bad, please say why with as much detail as possible.

 

[Ken-1122]

Why does Christianity label harmless action/things/activities as immoral? Examples:Heavy Metal, Dungeons & Dragons, long hair on men, braless women, etc. Secondary question: What is the boundary that separates action from immoral action? If you cannot answer question 2 then how can you know right from wrong in terms of morality?

Note. If you claim something is immoral/wrong/bad, please say why with as much detail as possible.

Good/bad, right/wrong, moral/immoral, are all subjective, not objective; meaning they are based on personal opinion, beliefs and point of view. So when asking where is the line drawn between right/wrong, that subjective line will be drawn in different places depending on who you ask

 

[Dansiph]

God labels those things not Christianity. That is what I believe

 

[Archer_on_Fire]

Why does Christianity label harmless action/things/activities as immoral? Examples:Heavy Metal, Dungeons & Dragons, long hair on men, braless women, etc. Secondary question: What is the boundary that separates action from immoral action? If you cannot answer question 2 then how can you know right from wrong in terms of morality?

Note. If you claim something is immoral/wrong/bad, please say why with as much detail as possible.

I've wondered that too. People still play Dungeons and Dragons? I don't care about Heavy metal. I could care less about whether or not a woman wears a bra of if a man decides to wear his hair long.

 

[Silmarien]

Why does Christianity label harmless action/things/activities as immoral? Examples:Heavy Metal, Dungeons & Dragons, long hair on men, braless women, etc. Secondary question: What is the boundary that separates action from immoral action? If you cannot answer question 2 then how can you know right from wrong in terms of morality?

Some Christians label these things immoral, but none of them is inherently so. Music celebrating drugs and objectification is probably immoral, though, and a Lawful Evil cleric who wanders around worshiping dark gods and summoning fiends might be also, depending on how you're playing it.

 

[Samaritan Woman]

Why does Christianity label harmless action/things/activities as immoral? Examples:Heavy Metal, Dungeons & Dragons, long hair on men, braless women, etc. Secondary question: What is the boundary that separates action from immoral action? If you cannot answer question 2 then how can you know right from wrong in terms of morality?

Note. If you claim something is immoral/wrong/bad, please say why with as much detail as possible.

There's nothing immoral about men with long hair but with regards to braless women that crosses over from poor taste into immorality especially if she is big breasted and wears provocative tops. Men struggle enough with sexual temptation as it is and if they see a women's breasts and nipples hanging out or really obvious that is not a good thing; a Christian woman should never be caught doing this as they are instructed to be modest according to the NT letters. God desires His children to not tempt the opposite sex into sinful thoughts and actions. So a women who goes out in public without a bra is engaging in immoral behavior as she is violating God's standards.

Regarding Heavy Metal music, I haven't really listened to it since my high school days (20+ years) but can say that secular rock/pop music promotes idolatry (most often of the opposite sex), sexual promiscuity, and often an insolent defiance toward God. So that type of music is definitely immoral as it completely violates God's precepts.

Regarding your second question, what classifies an action as "immoral" depends on if it violates the word of God; a Christian should not base his/her morals necessarily on present society's norms as they can be fluid and even evil (such as the case as Nazi Germany).

 

[Dansiph]

There's nothing immoral about men with long hair but with regards to braless women that crosses over from poor taste into immorality especially if she is big breasted and wears provocative tops. Men struggle enough with sexual temptation as it is and if they see a women's breasts and nipples hanging out or really obvious that is not a good thing; a Christian woman should never be caught doing this as they are instructed to be modest according to the NT letters. God desires His children to not tempt the opposite sex into sinful thoughts and actions. So a women who goes out in public without a bra is engaging in immoral behavior as she is violating God's standards.

Regarding Heavy Metal music, I haven't really listened to it since my high school days (20+ years) but can say that secular rock/pop music promotes idolatry (most often of the opposite sex), sexual promiscuity, and often an insolent defiance toward God. So that type of music is definitely immoral as it completely violates God's precepts.

Regarding your second question, what classifies an action as "immoral" depends on if it violates the word of God; a Christian should not base his/her morals necessarily on present society's norms as they can be fluid and even evil (such as the case as Nazi Germany).

I'm not looking to argue, just discuss. What about 1 Corinthians 11:14? I think a man should have short hair. But not shaved to the scalp, as far as I know

 

[Robert65]

God labels those things not Christianity.

Yet Christians are not in universal agreement upon what God says about those things thus an object demonstration of the subjectivity of Christian morality. The reason why some Christians believe Heavy Metal is immoral while other Christians do not is because morality is subjective.

Even if the Bible is the word of God, we humans are flawed and interpret it in a way that makes sense to us which may or may not be in line with the will of God.

 

[Robert65]

I've wondered that too. People still play Dungeons and Dragons? I don't care about Heavy metal. I could care less about whether or not a woman wears a bra of if a man decides to wear his hair long.

D&D is still going strong.

 

[Robert65]

Some Christians label these things immoral, but none of them is inherently so. Music celebrating drugs and objectification is probably immoral, though, and a Lawful Evil cleric who wanders around worshiping dark gods and summoning fiends might be also, depending on how you're playing it.

Well said.

 

[Dansiph]

Yet Christians are not in universal agreement upon what God says about those things thus an object demonstration of the subjectivity of Christian morality. The reason why some Christians believe Heavy Metal is immoral while other Christians do not is because morality is subjective.

Even if the Bible is the word of God, we humans are flawed and interpret it in a way that makes sense to us which may or may not be in line with the will of God.

But Christians will never be in universal agreement and they won't be a majority according to the Bible. It has been said to me that only a saved person can understand the Bible properly. I definitely have a clearer understanding of the Bible since becoming a Christian, that's all I can say atm. Also, heavy metal might be acceptable to Christians if it praises God etc. I think a lot of the Bible is not up for interpretation and is clearly written. Some needs explaining and discussion but I was surprised by how clear it is. D&D is less troublesome by my understanding.

I haven't been a Christian very long so I don't know much but I know sorcery is not a good thing in the Bible. I think D&D has magic etc? To be open, I'm not trying to be sanctimonious or an authority. I even played the videogame Dishonored a month or so ago which has character called the outsider who inhabits a world called the void, he gives the protagonist "magical" abilites. I did stop playing games for around a month when I became Christian. Then I argued it was maybe ok. Now I'm unsure again and have stopped. I think as long as it doesn't dishonour God I am generally ok however it's never that simple. Sorry for rambling on a bit

 

[bcbsr]

Why does Christianity label harmless action/things/activities as immoral? Examples:Heavy Metal, Dungeons & Dragons, long hair on men, braless women, etc. Secondary question: What is the boundary that separates action from immoral action? If you cannot answer question 2 then how can you know right from wrong in terms of morality?

Note. If you claim something is immoral/wrong/bad, please say why with as much detail as possible.

Things are immoral if they are contrary to God's intended design.

 

[Desk trauma]

Things are immoral if they are contrary to God's intended design.

What intended design does heavy metal run afoul of?

 

[bcbsr]

What intended design does heavy metal run afoul of?

Didn't say that particular is not good or bad. I just presented the question one should ask about such matters. Music contains three parts. Melody, the beat, and the words. It's the words I would primarily scrutinize. Music and Art are largely a reflection of culture. And as the culture continues to decay into chaos and violence, which is reflected in the tone of music today, I would be careful to characterize the teachings in the music.

 

[Robert65]

There's nothing immoral about men with long hair but with regards to braless women that crosses over from poor taste into immorality especially if she is big breasted and wears provocative tops. Men struggle enough with sexual temptation as it is and if they see a women's breasts and nipples hanging out or really obvious that is not a good thing

So women have to cover up because some men are weak? Thought religion was supposed to give men strength to resist such temptation? Labeling a woman going braless as immoral would be a label misplaced. The label belongs on the Christian men who lack the strength to keep to their religious convictions.

a Christian woman should never be caught doing this as they are instructed to be modest according to the NT letters. God desires His children to not tempt the opposite sex into sinful thoughts and actions. So a women who goes out in public without a bra is engaging in immoral behavior as she is violating God's standards.

Fair enough but still think it is weird to place the impetus on the woman.

Regarding Heavy Metal music, I haven't really listened to it since my high school days (20+ years) but can say that secular rock/pop music promotes idolatry (most often of the opposite sex), sexual promiscuity, and often an insolent defiance toward God. So that type of music is definitely immoral as it completely violates God's precepts.

While you make good points, none of my immoral behaviors has ever been the product of listening to music. I do agree that pop does tend to glorify behaviors that may lead some down an egocentric path and that Metal can be brutal.

Regarding your second question, what classifies an action as "immoral" depends on if it violates the word of God; a Christian should not base his/her morals necessarily on present society's norms as they can be fluid and even evil (such as the case as Nazi Germany).

As the word of God is wide open to interpretation, what God says is relative to each individual thus subjective. I do agree however that morals should not be based upon social norms.

 

[Robert65]

I'm not looking to argue, just discuss. What about 1 Corinthians 11:14? I think a man should have short hair. But not shaved to the scalp, as far as I know

Why would such a harmless thing be seen as dishonorable? Also if it is dishonorable why are so many of the characters of the Bible depicted with long hair?

 

[Silmarien]

Yet Christians are not in universal agreement upon what God says about those things thus an object demonstration of the subjectivity of Christian morality. The reason why some Christians believe Heavy Metal is immoral while other Christians do not is because morality is subjective.

It's not all that subjective, really. Christianity does have an objective moral standard--life is inherently valuable, hypocrisy is undesirable, and so forth and so on. If a Christian interprets, "Love your neighbor as yourself" as "hate your neighbor," there is a serious problem. That's not really up for debate, even if what is entailed by loving your neighbor is, at least to a certain extent.

When it comes to applying these objective standards to the actual world, you'll see some variation, since different people stress different aspects of that moral standard. And fear and misunderstanding come into play as well--people of the Puritanical persuasion may (incorrectly) associate DnD with demon worship or wandering around without a bra with licentiousness. The underlying concerns there are common moral concerns for all Christians, to one extent or another, but most people are probably going to think they're being applied incorrectly here.

There's also an idea that pops up in the Pauline Epistles by which something that can be harmless to one person might trip up another. So if a Christian thinks that playing DnD is spiritually dangerous, they should abstain from playing it. That doesn't mean it's dangerous for everyone.

 

[Dansiph]

Why would such a harmless thing be seen as dishonorable? Also if it is dishonorable why are so many of the characters of the Bible depicted with long hair?

God made men and women, maybe hair length is an extra distinction between us? It could also have uses such as a man's mainly outside/working role. The way I see it though is, I believe in God and that he created the universe. So what he says to do I'm very much inclined to do.

I'm not sure why many Bible characters are depicted with long hair but many (if not all) of these depictions are from centuries and centuries after Christ. Also I use the KJV which says Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? Rather than it is a dishonour to him. Maybe it's the same but I think it's slightly different

 

[Humble me Lord]

I think your on the right path in post #8.

Christians can be in error of interpreting God's word. Some twist the words just enough to enable themselves enough peace of mind that they are not going against it. I call that creating your own God. Some even write their own versions of God's word.
I believe this causes allot of confusion can seem like many Christians don't really know what they believe in.

 

[zephcom]

Why does Christianity label harmless action/things/activities as immoral? Examples:Heavy Metal, Dungeons & Dragons, long hair on men, braless women, etc. Secondary question: What is the boundary that separates action from immoral action? If you cannot answer question 2 then how can you know right from wrong in terms of morality?

Note. If you claim something is immoral/wrong/bad, please say why with as much detail as possible.

Christianity is an organized religion. As such, it is duty bound to have rules and regulations about 'religious' things. It appears that much of Christianity has chosen 'morality' as the topic of much of its rules and regulations.

If there wasn't something in society which could be viewed as immoral, what would the preachers have to talk about on Sunday morning?

After all, Jesus left a really short list...love God with all your heart and mind and love others like you love yourself. There isn't much need for weekly meetings once you get those two things down.