Why Does Morality Tend To Be So Narrow?

[Ninja Turtles]

Whenever I see topics of morality they tend to fall into two categories: sexual morality and the morality of fantasy. People are always so quick to jump on issues concerning specific types of sexual morality (i.e. homosexuality and abortion), yet there seems to be ignorance of, the more "common" problems of sexual morality. Which would people say is worse, homosexuality or the epidemic of divorce (and I'm talking about families that fracture and form new ones)? I always see people jumping all over homosexuals, but saying nothing of these "evil" divorced couples. Why?

It is of my opinion that it is accepted, and since it appears to be widespread, no one says anything. In addition, abortion is a mirror for many so it's hard to condemn what so many around you have done.

The next is the morality of fantasy. People will rail against entertainment and the amount of violence seen in entertainment; however, when it comes to commentary on the REAL violence committed in the world, all of a sudden there is silence. Commentary on the morality of those that actual commit the violence, especially at the state level, is overlooked. And the question has to be why?

Why is Christian morality often so narrow? I see several topics on morality in this section, but it seems some people are patently focused on abortion and homosexuality, as if no other problems exist. I guess I shouldn't try to generalize Christians, but perhaps I should ask why do the fundamentals of many that strongly focus on morality home in on one or two subjects, especially when there are much bigger problems?

 

[ScottishJohn]

I think for most people it is more conmortable for them to challenge the morality of those they feel furthest away from. So easily identifiable groups or phenomenon such as sexual orientation are easier to criticise because there is no chance of being accused of subscribing to the same morality. Things like divorce are more difficult, the chances are that someone you know and like has been infortunate enough to go through a divorce so it is more problematic to take a moral highground without alienating someone you care about.

I don't think there is anything wrong with saying you disagree with a certain lifestyle or action because of moral reasons, however I think the way in which you do this is important, and also the circumstances. Quite often it is to easy for people (Christians and Non Christians) to be hurtful and filled with hate in this kind of activity.

 

[Ninja Turtles]

I don't think there is anything wrong with saying you disagree with a certain lifestyle or action because of moral reasons, however I think the way in which you do this is important, and also the circumstances. Quite often it is to easy for people (Christians and Non Christians) to be hurtful and filled with hate in this kind of activity.

I don't have a person disagreeing with one's lifestyle either, however, for some I believe they take it too far, kind of like that splinter in your eye and the plank in my own.

 

[Westvleteren]

Fear.

Just from the people I know and have observed, Christians tend to focus on these narrow issues because they see them as issues they can do something about. Homosexuality and abortion can be dealt with at a local level, and appeal to a broad base of people merely on principle. The larger problems of epidemic divorce and violence are, in practical terms, beyond their control to change and that frightens them.

Where I live, I found during the last election that people acted as though George Bush were not running against Democrats as represented by Kerry, but against Democrats as represented by Clinton. Time and again I heard myself saying, "It's 2004; Clinton isn't running." Yet Christian conservatives of my acquaintance insisted that Bush was the superior moral choice because, "just look at Clinton and his shenanigans."

Why did they focus on that tiny issue, when there was so much more to look at in Bush's record as a politician? Because marital infidelity was an issue they could grasp, and hold a solid opinion on, and vote against. Mistakes in the war against terror, dishonesty about the Iraq war, disastrous international policy and fairweather domestic policy, were all things that were too big and nebulous and--most importantly--scary for them to get a hold of.

Morality is not the issue; it's the dodging of the issue.

 

[Zaac]

Whenever I see topics of morality they tend to fall into two categories: sexual morality and the morality of fantasy. People are always so quick to jump on issues concerning specific types of sexual morality (i.e. homosexuality and abortion), yet there seems to be ignorance of, the more "common" problems of sexual morality. Which would people say is worse, homosexuality or the epidemic of divorce (and I'm talking about families that fracture and form new ones)? I always see people jumping all over homosexuals, but saying nothing of these "evil" divorced couples. Why?

It is of my opinion that it is accepted, and since it appears to be widespread, no one says anything. In addition, abortion is a mirror for many so it's hard to condemn what so many around you have done.

The next is the morality of fantasy. People will rail against entertainment and the amount of violence seen in entertainment; however, when it comes to commentary on the REAL violence committed in the world, all of a sudden there is silence. Commentary on the morality of those that actual commit the violence, especially at the state level, is overlooked. And the question has to be why?

Why is Christian morality often so narrow? I see several topics on morality in this section, but it seems some people are patently focused on abortion and homosexuality, as if no other problems exist. I guess I shouldn't try to generalize Christians, but perhaps I should ask why do the fundamentals of many that strongly focus on morality home in on one or two subjects, especially when there are much bigger problems?

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. MAtthew 7:13-14

Christian morality is so narrow because the path that leads to life is narrow. It's narrow because Jesus Christ is specific about how one comes to the Father.

Sin is sin is sin. And it should all be treated the same. None is more acceptable to Christ and that is who we need to concern ourselves with.

As you have touched on, people see a reflection of themselves in many of these issues and will not say anything about the sin being wrong. That has been the case for years and that is why sin in the church is currently at epidemic levels making the church look just like the rest of the world.

SO many in the church have been so lackadaisical and tolerant of sin that God's house has become a den of thieves. Christ cleared it out once and He will clear it out again.

 

[Ninja Turtles]

Christian morality is so narrow because the path that leads to life is narrow. It's narrow because Jesus Christ is specific about how one comes to the Father.

I know you have written other things, and you make some good points, but I take issue with this first statement. I think you misunderstood what I meant by narrow. I'm not asking about general morality where a Christian must adhere to a certain lifestyle to enter heaven, I am asking why is the focus of some even narrower. For many the extent of morality is against entertainment, abortion, and homosexuality (the subjects of overlap ). Commentary on the issues that are more of a mirror, as many of us have noted, is absent. However, I understand and agree with some of your assessments.

 

[Zaac]

I know you have written other things, and you make some good points, but I take issue with this first statement. I think you misunderstood what I meant by narrow. I'm not asking about general morality where a Christian must adhere to a certain lifestyle to enter heaven, I am asking why is the focus of some even narrower. For many the extent of morality is against entertainment, abortion, and homosexuality (the subjects of overlap ). Commentary on the issues that are more of a mirror, as many of us have noted, is absent. However, I understand and agree with some of your assessments.

Okay I see what you're saying now so let me address that. It's easy for Christians to address the biggies because they view those as being what has led to downward spiral of morals in our society. It's really easy to jump on the bandwagon of righteousness while neglecting the wagon full of unrepentant sin that's sitting in your own front yard.

Why? Because the church has made it such an easy thing to do. For rather than giving Christians God's Word, we've been feeding them the things that make them feel good without dealing with the consequences of unrepentant sin in their own lives. Also, our churches have become so seeker sensitive that the people within the church have had their worship and spiritual growth neglected.

The result is a church that can take a stand on some of your big taboo issues, but a church that is reluctant to deal with absence of Christian character. We can deal with abortion, but we don't want to deal with the content of the things we watch for entertainment. We can deal with homosexuality, but we don't want to deal with the addiction to pornography of many of those in our congregations.

The church needs revival. Ther has to be a grass roots getting back to God and HIS WORD and Christians casting themselves prostrate before His throne for forgiveness of their sins. Not just the whoppers, but ALL of their sin. There has to be a conviction of ALL sin.

This will happen and when it does, some churches are going to lose a lot of members. But God's remnant who are serious about repentance for ALL sin, will remain.

The time for Christians playing these games of virtually rating sin has long since passed. It's time to get serious about repentance of all sin. And those who do not will continue to put up this fake Christian front of being devoted to God while truly only being devoted to appearing holy.

 

[Ninja Turtles]

The time for Christians playing these games of virtually rating sin has long since passed. It's time to get serious about repentance of all sin. And those who do not will continue to put up this fake Christian front of being devoted to God while truly only being devoted to appearing holy.

This comment is pure gold, thank you for the response.

 

[jurand]

Why discussions on morality tend to be so narrow? Because there is not much interest nowadays in systematic and thorough study of morality. It should be grounded in philosophy and history, and free of propaganda served by media and pop-culture, where questions of ethics and morality are so often trivialized. Finally, personal contemplation and frequent speaking ith God is also very important.

 

[Brimshack]

The reality is that those issues are not hot topics because of genuine moral concerns, but becausesome people see an opportunity to use them as political leverage. Much that passes for morality is merely a symbolic expression of violencce

 

[The Seeker]

Because its only a sin if somebody else enjoys it