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Tag Archives: morality

Secular Morality (Letter to Editor)

19 Wednesday Nov 2014

Posted by Ron Thomas in Atheism, Editor, Morality

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

atheism, letter to editor, morality

Recently, in the Mattoon Journal-Gazette, there were two atheistic letters to the editor that intended to address my contention that the moral code of an atheist or agnostic is strictly that of one’s personal standard. Consequently, I maintained, there is no objective or transcendent moral standard by which one can judge something thought, said, or done by another as wrong – except that someone thinks it to be wrong.

One man took such great exception to my letter that he said I was “flippant” and “straw-manning” my opponent’s position. Building a straw-man was hardly the case! After reading what he had to say a couple of times, he still offered nothing better than an “I think” (subjective) approach concerning a moral standard of right and wrong. This is no surprise because the source from which one moves in an “I think” approach is nothing more that one’s personal perspective – and it can’t be any other way. He admits as much when he said, “That is to say morality is, inherently, from man.” He wants to have objectivity, but anything that originates with man can be nothing of the sort!

One woman took exception, as she always does, to my remark that atheists have no moral code that is objective or transcendent of man. I previously wrote: “Atheism, as an ideology, is devoid of a moral code that can, or will, benefit man.” I further commented that an atheist has to adopt another moral standard and make it their own in order to judge something wrong (or right). She didn’t care much for this so she proceeds to lay out a moral code with four points, all dealing with the consequences of actions (toward self, others, groups, and other living things). That which she offered, however, is nothing more than her personal perspective or opinion. Why does one need to think and operate in this way? Is it because there is some compelling reason outside of man that says as much, or is it because there is something inside man that judges such? What makes it obligatory? What she argued for is this: the consequences of one’s action, related to “harm,” is one’s moral standard (or code). I suppose, then, since it is “harmful” to correct a child (from the child’s perspective at least), then discipline is immoral.

Letter to editor

03 Friday Oct 2014

Posted by Ron Thomas in Editor, Morality, Wisdom

≈ 17 Comments

Tags

agnosticism, atheism, morality, objective moral standard, subjectivity

Is it not interesting to hear atheists/agnostics speak of morality? In their elitism, they speak about that which they do not subscribe, as if they even know about that which they speak. The arrogance of it is a marvel. We are told, “[t]he very thought that there are no moral absolutes, in spite of what many religious leaders and other claim, is anathema to them.” I wonder if this is an absolute, and she is certain of it!

As has been said many times previous, morality comes from man, or not man. These are the only two options available for intelligible conversation. If it comes from man, then all is subjective, and Hitler (Stalin, etc.) did nothing morally wrong. If one asserts that they did, by what standard will the judgment be made?

If morality comes from “not man,” what is the source? Since atheists and agnostics have no source outside their personal “I think,” they are then unable to ascertain a source that can have any objectivity, and thereby benefit man. Would they offer rocks and dirt as the source, or the beasts of the field? Perhaps they would offer us the moon and the stars as a source?

Atheism, as an ideology, is devoid of a moral code that can, or will, benefit man. All the atheist can do is adopt the Christian moral code, and then ridicule others for their adoption of it. But, then, should we be surprised by such an empty ideology?

Printed 10.1.2014 in the Mattoon Journal-Gazette

HE HAS PREPARED US

26 Thursday Dec 2013

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

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Tags

armor, battle, Ephesians, fight, morality, satan, voting

                Earlier this week a brother posted a link on Facebook concerning the aggressive nature of Satan’s forces standing opposed to the Lord’s way. Not long before that post on Facebook I received an email concerning the current administration leading us headlong into the future with leaders standing up for immorality. Thursday’s newspaper had a lead news piece and picture concerning homosexual marriage and, finally, a lead news item was that a current television star (on the A&E channel) was suspended because of his remarks in relation to homosexuality and hell.

Joshua said to the men: “Proceed, and march around the city, and let him who is armed advance before the ark of the LORD” (Joshua 6:7). Thinking about the above paragraph in relation to the words in Joshua, I can’t help but to think about what the Lord said with regard to the armor we are to have on. In part, Paul said this: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:11-13, NKJV).

By the sheer size and force of Satan’s army, the fight ahead of us is monumental, but it’s a fight with which we must be engaged. It is terribly unfortunate (evil) when Christians engage in support of such evil via ignorance and the ballot box (a vote for Satan, not the Lord). Christians must be engaged in this battle; it’s the Lord’s charge and to not be is to be in support of that which the Lord opposes. Be sure, therefore, you are properly armed to face a foe you have no prayer of successfully opposing on your own—you need the Lord. He has prepared us for this battle. RT

It Seems Unfair

29 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Ezekiel, morality, sin, whirlwind

It seems so unfair that the behavior of the generation before us makes me suffer today. It may be unfair, but it is the course of life. That which is sown must be reaped by those who have sown it and by those who will experience its ramifications. When abortion is sown into the wind, the whirlwind of harvest is a devaluing of life (consider euthanasia). When homosexual marriage proponents sow the wind immoral selfishness, the whirlwind reaped is the degeneracy of morality for the larger community. When political survival is sown, the whirlwind of “at all cost” is reaped. It seems so unfair when men and women who call themselves Christians vote for men and women who are politically partisan rather than for the ways of Christ. It seems so unfair—and it is. Now let us reap what we have sown.

Socially Conscience and Accepted

07 Monday Oct 2013

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

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conscience, morality, politically correct, social, truth

Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets. (Luke 6:26, NKJV). We all have a desire to be received by our fellow man; in fact, we try to conduct ourselves in life in such a way that we will be received favorably. Many in life try to be socially conscience, kind and gentle when speaking, benevolent in actions, and never try to speak a bad word with regard to another to anyone. These are commendable to be sure, but are these things that will gain us the eternal home that the Lord promised to those who love Him? The answer is no. Consider what the Lord said a few verses earlier: Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake (6:22).

From these two passage we gain some clear teachings from the Lord. First, the fact that men speak well of us may be a good thing, but let us be on our guard because it may be they speak well because we don’t speak of Christ to them. Second, we don’t want others to hate us for anything that we do, but if we are doing the Lord’s bidding, shall we be discouraged when they do? Some just really want to hate!

Let us be mindful of the Lord’s exhortation. For instance, when a person walks the life the Lord walked, the walk of the Lord’s servant will have conviction written all over it, and those in this world, walking after the pattern of Satan, will not like at all anything of righteousness (John 16:8-11). Therefore, let us choose wisely to whom we give our lives and for what reason. RT

The West Lost God

22 Monday Jul 2013

Posted by Ron Thomas in America, Morality

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Europe, government, morality, Titantic

Last week I mentioned the discussion I am currently having with a brother who left the Lord entirely; this week, keeping the same theme (“up to the challenge”), I recently read an article that is quite discouraging, but not surprising. The article title is “How the West Really Lost God” (Christian Research Journal, vol. 36, no. 3, 2013, pp. 20-23). The article addresses the loss of “religiosity” in both Europe and the United Sates. In Europe, the Lord has been gone for quite a long time. (What I mean is that even the little semblance we have toward the Lord in this country is not in Europe at all.) People in western culture have accepted the humanistic approach to life and brought confusion into the norm; this is their religion. It is quite disappointing to see. While they consider themselves wise in perpetuating this confusion/multi-culturalism, the wisdom they brought is, among other things, nothing more than moral chaos to people. Children are born outside of marriage, people of the same sex become intimate, alcohol and party are promoted as the accepted “joys” of life; it is hedonism (self-indulgence) at its worst. In Europe, this has been going on for years—long before the debauchery arrived on our shores.

Not to be outdone, however, are our own leaders in this country. This includes teachers, local government officials, preachers, police and county law enforcement personnel, state and national government leaders, business owners (“If you want to make money sell alcohol.”), etc., etc.

Many in this country don’t know what is right because the parents of the children, by and large, did not teach what was right. “How can you say such a thing like that?” one might incredulously ask. Parents taught, no doubt, but exactly what did the parents teach, and why did they teach it? It has been said unknown number of times that parents teach what is important, and they even teach the “why” of it. Personal hygiene is a good example; people understand the importance of brushing one’s teeth, taking a bath, having clean clothes, etc. Understanding, however, that each of us will stand in front of the Judge of all the earth—now that is not something that is readily (or easily) taught! This is because the parents little believe it or don’t even know it at all. Those children, not taught, will become (and are now) our leaders in the community.

Our country is on the ship called Titanic! Though the Titanic is going down, the Lord has prepared a life-boat for all that love Him. The ship is going to sink, but we don’t have to sink into the frigid waters; with much effort we can save as many as the Lord gives us opportunity (cf. Galatians 6:10;  James 5:19-20). This is a challenge to each of us;  there is no need to shy away from the evidence that is very obvious.

Here are some things you can do: first, consecrates the Lord in your life (1 Peter 3:15), second, apply the two great commands all over again (Matthew 22:34-40), third, do good unto all people (Galatians 6:10), fourth, be sure your life is a reflection of the glory of God (1 Peter 1:13-16), and fifth, live life industriously (2 Thessalonians 3:6-13).

Doing these things, because we have learned from the Lord, means that we will teach our children the same.

Philosophy Professor, Morality, and Atheism

13 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

atheism, morality, philosophy professor

Letter to editor,

In recent history the Catholic Church has been rocked by moral scandal. This is brought to the forefront of our attention with the recent resignation of the current pope. Whatever failings there might have been (or are) with individuals in the Catholic Community, by and large, they are an institution that promotes morality based upon a standard that is higher than anything human.

Contrast this with the standard of morality by an atheist, agnostic, or skeptic; their moral code is strictly the standard of self. Of course, it can’t be any other way. This foolish approach to life results in hedonism – a philosophy that sets forth pleasure or happiness as the greatest good. This selfish philosophy was exactly the way men like Joseph Stalin lived life.

Since this way of thinking has nothing but self as the standard of evaluation, remarks like the following show a lack of depth: “Those of us that don’t believe in God, know the good or bad that comes to this nation is solely the work and responsibility of humans” (Letter to editor, 11.20.2012). Much in this sentiment is true, but to know what is “good” or know what is “bad” in an objective way is impossible when the standard of evaluation is one’s self.

In a different context, but in a related way, an EIU philosophy professor wisely wrote: “The only way to deepens one’s belief is to have those beliefs challenged and questioned. In much the same way I challenge and question those beliefs of my colleagues and students which I think are mistaken” (Letter to editor, 10.6.2012).

Atheism is devoid of an objective standard of right and wrong! Because it offers nothing but emptiness people assign meaning to various actions and activities. In the case of one letter writer it appears that self, President Obama, and atheism

 

Will it be printed

16 Friday Nov 2012

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

homosexuality, logical argument, morality

I am not sure this letter will be printed, but I have sent it to the newspaper; we will see. 

Letter to editor,

The newspaper declares that “Mayor Rahm Emanuel Tuesday ranked legalizing gay marriage as his No. 3 legislative priority in Springfield — behind pension reform and a Chicago casino — and said he plans to get “very involved” in passing a gay marriage bill” (Chicago Sun-Times).

And there are those who maintain that the support of a particular candidate does not mean that they support the moral vision of that candidate. These same people are, most likely, confused about other things also. There is no way to sugar coat it: those who voted for such people have directly contributed to the moral failings of our society as they support those who themselves have promoted legislation that is contrary to the standard of the Lord.

Argument 1: 1) Objective morality is beneficial to man; 2) God’s will is objective morality; 3) Thus, God’s will is beneficial to man.

Argument 2: 1) That which is opposed to God’s will is immoral; 2) Homosexuality is opposed to God’s will; 3) Thus, homosexuality is immoral.

Argument 3: 1) That which is immoral is evil; 2) Homosexuality is immoral; 3) Thus, homosexuality is evil.

Those who support that which is immoral also support that which is evil

The logical arguments can be sustained in the crucible of debate.

People have convinced themselves that they are not guilty of making a direct contribution to evil, but try telling that to the Lord.

What’s Important?

26 Friday Oct 2012

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

morality, politics, voting

Letter to Editor,

I was glad to read the perspectives last week by a representative of the democrats and a representative of the republicans.

Jan Braden, as a representative of the democrats, spoke in generalities about what their party can do to support the middle-class, sharing with us notable democrat leaders of the past with what they have done, and the government’s role in collegiate education. Though Jan may not be in agreement with the national party in all respects (there is agreement with most of what they stand for), Jan thinks what the republicans stand for ought to scare you. The piece closes with an exhortation to all of us to vote.

Dave McCabe, as a representative of the republican position, puts emphasis upon the founding documents of our country, and maintains that the best form of government is left with the states, not the federal government. He illustrates this with two vehicles, one traveling 65 mph (the federal government’s revenue speed), and the other at 5,700 mph (the federal government’s spending speed). The latter will crash shortly. He closes his piece with an exhortation to each of us to vote as well.

It’s is not likely that any particular person will be in agreement with all that the national party of which they are affiliated stands for. I am a conservative man; I have chosen to be that way based on a number of factors. Being conservative, however, does not align me with one party or the other – though, admittedly, I am going to be closer to one than the other. That said, however, I am an independent. I vote issues, not political affiliations.

I am opposed to the murder of innocent children in the womb; thus, I will never knowingly support a candidate that believes in the public policy of doing so (also known as abortion). Moreover, I will never compromise, knowingly, what the Lord said about the sanctity of marriage. Marriage is one man with one woman for life; as the saying goes, God did not join together “Adam and Steve.” These are two hot-button issues in our political discourse, but they need not be the only hot-button issues.

Morality plays an important role in governing. John Adams once said: “We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion…Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other” (10/11/1798; referenced in America’s God and Country, pages 10-11).

The moral debauchery of society is apparent: many heterosexual unions are not tied together by marriage; drinking and getting drunk is promoted by the alcohol industry and local venders; some people in the business community make it a point to not serve the customer, but get an upper hand on him; greed, lying, stealing, manipulation, and the list goes on and on.

When you vote – what do you consider to be important?

Printed 10/24/2012)

Partisan for God

31 Friday Aug 2012

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

morality, politics

Letter to Editor,

Where do we begin? That is the question asked, and it seems to be a good starting point when considering for whom we will cast a vote in the presidential election this November. We could consider the candidates themselves and their political websites; we could read the editorial section of The New York Times or the Wall Street Journal; we could even watch the debates between the candidates and then choose. We could do all these things or we could just start with what we think ought to be done and vote based on that.

That is where I will start. I have two non-negotiable litmus tests that a candidate must pass before I will even consider him (her) further. Since I am a Christian, my litmus test standard is that of the Lord’s. For a number of months now I have been writing to defend His standard when considering the sanctity of life and marriage; thus, I have a core set of beliefs. This is where I will start. I encourage others to do the same – have a core set of beliefs.

We can be pragmatic as one might think is suggested in last week’s editorial by Keith Stewart. The problem with pragmatism, when taken to its ultimate end, is that there is no such thing as objective truth or right and wrong – only that we need to be moderate and willing to compromise our core-set of beliefs. A pragmatist will deny such an ultimate end, but that is where it takes him. To be fair to Keith, I don’t think he affirmed a pragmatic course, only civility is discussion, with an openness to competing ideas.

In society we all are engaged in the “battle of ideas.” Each person thinks he and she are right concerning that particular idea. Let us engage in debate with regard to these ideas. Is there such a things as truth and, if so, what is that truth based on? Facts are truth, but is there truth of any other sort, such as moral truth? I have been arguing, and will continue to do so, that there is objective moral truth; that truth starts at the very foundation of man’s Creator: God.

Whether you are a Democrat, Republican, Independent, Libertarian, Socialist, or of the Green Party, let us engage in a conversation of ideas. For me, I refuse to be a partisan of political ideology. I will, however, engage in the debate as a partisan for the Lord’s way. To borrow the words of a well-known, but retired, football player, “I like that kind of party!”

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