Thoughts on Moral Relativism

Dear Friends,

As one who has lived to see our culture move from the Modernist Era (where people believed in the concept of absolute truth, and one of our goals in life was the pursuit of that truth) to the Postmodernist Era (where it is assumed everything is relative, there are no absolutes, and no one’s viewpoint is any better than anyone else’s) – it has been a difficult transition.

It is true the absolutist mindset could be bigoted and most definitely needed changing, for there were far more things that were culturally relative than the vast majority in the Modernist Era ever thought. Yet, going to the opposite extreme and suggesting, “there are no absolutes” and “everyone’s truth is equally valid,” was equally unwise and will lead to the devaluation of life and horrific consequences if taken to its logical extreme. A better way to put it would be, “There are a tremendous number of things that are culturally relative, and a good number that are absolute and without which a humane society cannot exist.” Today I want to share some thoughts from various authors on why it’s necessary to retain some absolutes. Enjoy.

The Argument for Absolutes

“When truth dies, so do ethics.” Greg Koukl

“If there is no God, the labels ‘good’ and ‘evil’ are merely opinions.” Dennis Prager

“When you start with some version of the assertion, ‘There is no truth,’ you have disqualified yourself from offering a second assertion.” Daniel Taylor

“If there are no moral absolutes, there is no logical or objective reason to be kind and tolerant, or not to be cruel and violent.” J. F. E.

“If there is no God who says, ‘Do not murder,’ there is no way of saying murder is objectively wrong. One can say, ‘I don’t like it,’ or ‘I think it is wrong,’ or ‘I feel it is wrong,’ or ‘My society says it is wrong,’ but one cannot say, ‘It is wrong.’ For that, you need God.” Dennis Prager

“A person who says that there are no truths, or that all truth is relative, is asking you not to believe him. So don't!” Roger Scruton

Adolph Hitler once said, ‘I wish to raise a generation of young people who are devoid of conscience, imperious, relentless, and cruel.’ If morality is subjective, and anyone’s opinion is as valid as anyone else’s, then this statement is totally acceptable. Who are you or I to judge? It is Hitler’s opinion against yours, and who’s to say you’re right and he’s wrong?

“Where divine truth does not give wisdom or restrain the sinful bent of man, the powerful who are the best at spreading misinformation will win the day.” Anonymous

“The statement: ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,’ concludes with the words: ‘I am the Lord.’ It is this conclusion that contains the ultimate reason for that solemn command. True and timeless is that command, but if God were not God, there would be no truth, no timelessness, and no such command.” Abraham Joshua Heschel

“New York Times columnist Anthony Lewis declared: “Certainty is the enemy of decency and humanity.” What does that comment have to say about him, since he sounds pretty certain that certainty is the enemy of humanity?”

“If it is my moral code I’m following rather than God’s, I get to do whatever I want whenever I want.” R.G.L

“Moral outrage is absurd if you reject objective truth.” John Hendryx

“The key question isn’t, ‘Is it ever OK to steal?’ but ‘Is it ever wrong NOT to steal?’ If there is no absolute truth, then the matter of stealing doesn’t matter – which is a good deal for any thief.” R.G.L

“Subjectivism is the disease that will certainly end our species (and in my view, damn our souls) if it is not crushed. The fatal superstition is that men can create values, or that a community can choose its ‘ideology,’ like men choose their clothes." C.S. Lewis

“To suggest that all things are relative and there are no absolutes is to affirm or establish an absolute, thereby rendering that man’s life philosophy invalid from the start.”

“For the relativist the golden rule is that there is no golden rule.”

“God’s character IS the moral absolute of the universe.” Francis Schaeffer

“It is difficult to maintain moral objections and outrage at “injustices” when one has rejected moral absolutes.” R.G.L

“Without God, everything is permitted. One can do anything. How can we be virtuous without God?”
Fyodor Dostoevsky

“If there is no standard, there can be no error.” Greg Koukl

“Whenever a relativist says, “You should not force your morality on other people,” I always ask, “Why not?” What will he be able to say? He certainly can’t respond by saying “It’s wrong?” That option is no longer open to him… A person can wax eloquent with you in a discussion on moral relativism, and then somehow find a way to complain if someone cuts in front of him in line.” Greg Koukl

Just Some Thoughts to Ponder, Pastor Jeff