Relativism: Bad for Society

Recently I read an article in my local newspaper that read “Moral relativism problematic for modern ethics”. This article described the confusion in many spheres that relativizing the truth has caused.

Whether democrat or republican, conservative or liberal, all of us would agree that the Holocaust was horrific. We would also agree that we all abide by some sort of moral code and standard. Do you think lying is bad? Most would agree it is unacceptable. Do you agree that someone killing another innocent human is bad? We would all agree to that.

The point is that relativism is itself contradictory. If a person asserts that everything is relative and there is no truth then he in fact is claiming to know something that he agrees may not be true. After all I'm sure in the mind of Hitler he thought he was doing the right thing but we all agree what he did was horrendous. How can an atheist say that one should not commit adultery, if the atheist doesn’t believe in a divine being or any moral absolutes? The famous philosopher Socrates once said “A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true.”

I notice how often staunch liberals assert that the views held by Christians are wrong and that we are haters because we believe in God’s Law. Where do unbelievers get their moral standard to assert such wrongdoing? The fact is they have no basis beyond their own opinions. The moment that men base their lives and destiny on opinion and feelings is a dangerous one. Laws and moral standards must be based on Gods Law to ensure stability. 

“No free government now exists in the world, unless where Christianity is acknowledged, and is the religion of the country.”

-Pennsylvania Supreme Court 1824 

“It is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue.”

–John Adams