Natural design and Christian ethics

[Apex]

Natural design: The fundamental purpose of an object found in nature that was not made (or modified) by humans.

Should Christians define a system of ethics using natural design as support?

For example, a common argument against homoerotic behavior and birth control is that they subvert natural design. However, this line of reasoning appears indefensible if not consistently applied to all actions that repurpose natural objects. To illustrate this point, humans use their tongues to lick postage stamps and use horse hair to produce violin bows. Both of these activities use natural objects in a way that is contrary to their natural design. Yet, I have not heard anyone voice objections to such activities.

If natural design is going to be used to argue a certain behavior is immoral, it has to be applied consistently.

 

[Haipule]

Natural design: The fundamental purpose of an object found in nature that was not made (or modified) by humans.

Can Christians define a system of ethics using natural design as support?

For example, a common argument against homoerotic behavior and birth control is that they subvert natural design. However, this line of reasoning appears indefensible if not consistently applied to all actions that repurpose natural objects. To illustrate this point, humans use their tongues to lick postage stamps and use horse hair to produce violin bows. Both of these activities use natural objects in a way that is contrary to their natural design. Yet, I have not heard anyone voice objections to such activities.

If natural design is going to be used to argue a certain behavior is immoral, it has to be applied consistently.

I would argue, how do we know for sure what the intended "natural" design is? Clearly, we(some) are making assumptions: and based on what?! How CAN we assume that the "natural" design is NOT multifaceted?

 

[Apex]

I would argue, how do we know for sure what the intended "natural" design is? Clearly, we(some) are making assumptions: and based on what?! How CAN we assume that the "natural" design is NOT multifaceted?

True. I would agree that the fundamental purpose of a natural object might not be singular or discernible. Vestigiality comes to mind. This is just another reason why basing ethical principals on natural design appears futile.

 

[Haipule]

True. I would agree that the fundamental purpose of a natural object might not be singular or discernible. Vestigiality comes to mind. This is just another reason why basing ethical principals on natural design appears futile.

I would call God's righteousness "natural design". Yet, morality(God's, not mans) is but one small facet of the multifaceted jewel of all that God's righteousness is.

Certainly and naturally God designed and made everything that exists. However, His standard is His own righteousness. His own perfection.

No excellence exists beyond the perfection of His design, His standard, His perfection which is His righteousness.

As we seek His righteousness in the all things of our lives, we seek the excellency of all that He has made; all of it's power and, all of it's beauty!

 

[Apex]

Certainly and naturally God designed and made everything that exists. However, His standard is His own righteousness. His own perfection.

Correct. Creation is not the standard of morality, God is.

1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

I believe all systems of ethics should be defined using "agape" love as the foundation. This love is the essence of God.

 

[Apex]

For example, a common argument against homoerotic behavior and birth control is that they subvert natural design.

Here is the Catholic Church's response to birth control using "nature" as one of the primary arguments against its use:

Birth Control | Catholic Answers

"Contraception is wrong because it’s a deliberate violation of the design God built into the human race, often referred to as "natural law." The natural law purpose of sex is procreation. The pleasure that sexual intercourse provides is an additional blessing from God, intended to offer the possibility of new life while strengthening the bond of intimacy, respect, and love between husband and wife. The loving environment this bond creates is the perfect setting for nurturing children.

But sexual pleasure within marriage becomes unnatural, and even harmful to the spouses, when it is used in a way that deliberately excludes the basic purpose of sex, which is procreation. God’s gift of the sex act, along with its pleasure and intimacy, must not be abused by deliberately frustrating its natural end—procreation."