3.11.4

Discussion Points: Spiritual Values

Test yourself

Are Spiritual Values Merely Human Values?

Here are arguments for and against the idea that spiritual values are merely human values.

Illustrative background for Argument for - Ten CommandmentsIllustrative background for Argument for - Ten Commandments ?? "content

Argument for - Ten Commandments

  • Some people might argue that spiritual values and human values are very similar.
    • For example, the Ten Commandments have many core ethical demands that are universal — you do not need to be religious to follow those that are not about God.
    • ‘Do not steal’ and ‘Do not kill’ are commandments that are laws in the vast majority of societies, including more secular societies.
Illustrative background for Argument against - distinct valuesIllustrative background for Argument against - distinct values ?? "content

Argument against - distinct values

  • But many Christians would disagree as if the two are the same, then there is nothing that makes Christianity distinctive.
    • Upholding the dignity and the sanctity of human life over personal choice (for example, when considering euthanasia or abortion) and loving your enemies are examples of values that make Christianity distinctive, but would not be shared by all of society or secularists/humanists.
Illustrative background for Argument against - salvationIllustrative background for Argument against - salvation ?? "content

Argument against - salvation

  • Christianity talks of an afterlife and a creator God who loves and sustains the world and wants people to worship him. Many values are based upon reaching salvation and this eternal life.
Illustrative background for Argument against - Jesus' teachingIllustrative background for Argument against - Jesus' teaching ?? "content

Argument against - Jesus' teaching

  • Jesus’ stories, which many Christians try to emulate the teachings of, include messages such as ‘turn the other cheek’.
  • These are arguably standalone Christian values.

Jump to other topics

1Philosophy of Religion

1.1Ancient Philosophical Influences: Plato

1.2Ancient Philosophical Influences: Aristotle

1.3Ancient Philosophical Influences: Soul, Mind, Body

1.4The Existence of God - Arguments from Observation

1.5The Existence of God - Arguments from Reason

1.6Religious Experience

1.7The Problem of Evil

1.8The Nature & Attributes of God

1.9Religious Language: Negative, Analogical, Symbolic

1.10Religious Language: 20th Century Perspective

2Religion & Ethics

3Developments in Christian Thought

3.1Saint Augustine's Teachings

3.2Death & the Afterlife

3.3Knowledge of God's Existence

3.4The Person of Jesus Christ

3.5Christian Moral Principles

3.6Christian Moral Action

3.7Development - Pluralism & Theology

3.8Development - Pluralism & Society

3.9Gender & Society

3.10Gender & Theology

3.11Challenges

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