Ethics and Morals (pt. dos)

Christian ethics are not respect-for-persons ethics (henceforth called RFPE.) Christians live with greater responsibilities than respecting people. That sounds horrible, but it's true. My highest reponsibility to others is to love them, not respect them. Because of this, I care more about someone's spiritual well-being than their physical needs. Once those are ok, I'll focus on the physical, but those have to be secondary. RFP will not hurt someone. Christian ethics will for the purpose of bringing them closer to God. I believe the kingdom ethic supercedes all other beliefs in Christian decision-making. If what I do doesn't bring this person closer to God, while also bringing me closer (which is another really important part of the equation,) I shouldn't do it. I really think I could write for days on this topic, but I won't. Maybe this summer I'll revisit.

I think any methodology to harmonize the different ethical systems in decision-making must recognize that some systems are more adhered to that others. We weighted systems based on their application rather than the number of applicants. While many people will jump around from system to system, most will also adhere to a certain system per issue. I think the application of egoism to the capital punishment issue is less important than the number of people who apply egoism to the issue. Consider if our legislators made decisions according to the application of egoism if our entire country consisted of utilitarianists. (Probably both are egoists, but anyway...) We wouldn't be happy with Congress and they wouldn't be representing the desires of the people well.

Now, we first have to figure out our ethical system. Before we say, "I'm a Christian, that's my ethical system," we really need to figure out what that means and if we're willing to live consistently in it. It's not as simple as WWJD. It's Am-I-willing-to-do-what-Jesus-would-do. AIWTDWJWD. We'd need bigger bracelets.

As for being ethical, it should be very important, and even moreso to Christians. Ethical people see us being unethical and it's not a good reflection of Christ. Again, back to the kingdom ethic. If our decisions do not bring us and others closer to God, something is amiss. I don't see how we can be successful if we are unethical. Said another way, I think Jesus would be ethical. And I should be willing to do what Jesus would do. I'd wear a bracelet to remind myself.

On to science and ethics. Briefly, they are perhaps more related now than ever. With the new knowledge we have that allows us to do things we never though possible, we have to be ethical. I love the section in Angels and Demons by Dan Brown where the chamberlain talks about the church's position on science and ethics. You should read it. I don't now believe science was as bad as he made it sound. I think the church has been guilty too. But I also think it's important for Christians to consider how they fit in a world of science and ethics, and how their relationship with God effects their relationship with this world.

And I think I just figured out why I took this class.

Thanks everyone. I'll be back.