Hot Topic (10/5): Are some things always wrong?

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

 

(Ventura, CA) - Americans unanimously denounced the September 11 terrorist attacks as a textbook example of evil, suggesting that there is a foundational belief in an absolute standard of right and wrong. Subsequent research, however, has shown that in the aftermath of the attacks, a minority of Americans believes in the existence of absolute moral truth. Even more surprising, the data from a pair of nationwide studies conducted by the Barna Research Group of Ventura, California showed that less than one out of three born again Christians adopt the notion of absolute moral truth. The surveys also found that few Americans turn to their faith as the primary guide for their moral and ethical decisions.

Truth Is Relative, Say Americans

In two national surveys conducted by Barna Research, one among adults and one among teenagers, people were asked if they believe that there are moral absolutes that are unchanging or that moral truth is relative to the circumstances. By a 3-to-1 margin (64% vs. 22%) adults said truth is always relative to the person and their situation. The perspective was even more lopsided among teenagers, 83% of whom said moral truth depends on the circumstances, and only 6% of whom said moral truth is absolute.

The gap between teen and adult views was not surprising, however, when the adult views are considered by generation. While six out of ten people 36 and older embraced moral relativism, 75% of the adults 18 to 35 did so. Thus, it appears that relativism is gaining ground, largely because relativism appears to have taken root with the generation that preceded today's teens.

The Barna study also showed that there is a racial component to this issue, as well. Among whites, 60% endorse relativism, compared to 26% who adopt absolutism. Among non-whites, however, 74% support relativism and just 15% believe in absolute morality. (Fifteen percent of Hispanic adults and only 10% of African-American adults contended that moral truth is absolute.)

Not surprisingly, born again Christians were more likely than non-born again individuals to accept moral absolutes. Among adults, 32% of those who were born again said they believe in moral absolutes, compared to just half as many (15%) among the non-born again contingent. Among teenagers, there was still a 2-to-1 ratio evident, but the numbers were much less impressive: only 9% of born again teens believe in moral absolutes versus 4% of the non-born again teens.

(Read more here.) 

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Do you believe in moral absolutes?

Are some things always right and other things always wrong? 

Or is moral truth relative to the circumstances?

[home-sweet-home]

Do you believe in moral absolutes?  Yes

Are some things always right and other things always wrong?  Yes. Murder is always wrong (killing is not always wrong, but murder is.) Sexually abusing a child is ALWAYS wrong. Stealing is always wrong.

Or is moral truth relative to the circumstances? I do not believe so.

[stormcris]

Morality is always relative. Cutural norms for morality is still relative.

[Merry74]

Yes, there are moral absolutes and our society would cease to exist without them.  Yes, some things are always wrong.  And no, truth (moral or otherwise) is not relative.

[looneymom424]

Morality is taught during childhood each religion and culture has their own.

Do you believe in moral absolutes? YES

Are some things always right and other things always wrong?  Yes killing is wrong, respecting your parents is always right

Or is moral truth relative to the circumstances? no

[mmtosam06]

Quoting home-sweet-home:

Do you believe in moral absolutes?  Yes

Are some things always right and other things always wrong?  Yes. Murder is always wrong (killing is not always wrong, but murder is.) Sexually abusing a child is ALWAYS wrong. Stealing is always wrong.

Or is moral truth relative to the circumstances? I do not believe so.

[rozepyle]

Quoting stormcris:

Morality is always relative. Cutural norms for morality is still relative.

[MrsRStewart]

God has told us in His Word what is right and what is wrong.  Even without reading it, people have a moral compass placed within them by God, telling them the difference. 

[cowgirlsr2]

Yes, yes, no.