Moral Relativism

Moral relativism is when morality is not defined by objective and/or universal truths, but instead make claims relative to social, cultural, historical or personal circumstances.  Moral relativists hold that no universal standard exists by which to assess an ethical behavior; it is the opposite of moral absolutism.  Moral relativists often see moral values as applicable only within certain cultural boundaries or in the context of individual preferences.  An extreme relativist position might suggest that judging the moral or ethical judgments or acts of another person or group has no meaning.

Jean-Paul Sartre held that a personal and subjective moral core lies or ought to lie at the base of individuals' moral acts.  In this view public morality reflects social convention, and only personal, subjective morality expresses true authenticity.

In popular culture people often describe themselves as morally relativists, meaning they are accepting of other people's values and agree that there is no one ‘right’ way of doing some things.  However, this actually has little to do with the philosophical idea of relativism; relativism does not necessarily imply tolerance, just as moral objectivism does not imply intolerance.

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Oh where oh where can my baby be
The Lord took her away from me
She's gone to heaven so I got to be good
So I can see my baby when I leave this world

In the early sixties, a song came out by J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers, entitled, "The Last Kiss."  The song is about a couple out on a date whom get into a auto accident.  The girl dies in her boyfriend's arms.  He mourns her death singing the above refrain.

This song sums up the attitude of a lot of people.  They think they can live a good life, if the good works they do outweigh the bad, then they will have earned their way to heaven.

Unfortunately, the Bible does not allow anyone to earn their way to heaven.  Numerous verses show us that good works have nothing to do with one entering heaven.  It is only by God’s grace we are allowed into His presence, and then only after our relationship with Him has been covered by Jesus’ sacrifice.  It is nothing we can earn, because God has done everything for us on a cross and through an empty tomb, two thousand years ago.

Titus 3:5 - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.

Ephesians 2:8 – 9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please him.

John 6:29 - This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

So, the moral relativist might argue there are no absolute rules for morality, but even they rely upon a set they wish not to acknowledge - bust out their car window, steal their stereo and suddenly their morality is based on the Ten Commandments – just so you never hold them to that standard! 

After all, you are being judgmental then…