Virtue Versus Religious Beliefs

Admin Wed 06 Jul 2016, 11:41 am

Virtue Versus Religious Beliefs
Barrie McClymont, the late Director of ACTS
International, New Zealand, in a published letter to
the Editor of the "New Zealand Herald," writes:
Dear Sir,
The suggestion that religious belief should take second
place to virtue makes superficial sense, but does not
stand the light of closer scrutiny.
First, the historical excesses of religions of all
types must be seen as the excesses of human failing,
not of religion itself. There is an abundance of
evidence that shows man without religion is more prone
to act in non-virtuous ways.
Second, when we talk of virtue, we must ask what
virtue, whose virtue? Is this virtue to be that of our
neighbors, our workmates, our friends, the folk who
make the films we view, the film censor, the prime
minister, the leader of the opposition, et al.?
Third, we have to accept a field of reference before we
can agree on what is virtue. Many people's virtues and
ethics are subject to change whenever that change is
convenient, and are therefore of dubious value. The
Bible sets out clear guidelines, and from the Law and
the old covenant in the Old Testament to the new
covenant in the New Testament (as delivered through
Christ), so-called "ethics" stand aside for morals,
false beliefs are exposed and clear guidelines are
given for virtuous living.
I cannot imagine how rudderless it would feel not to be
a Christian. Belief must precede virtue, and virtue
makes real sense only as it relates to a field of
reference.
-- Barrie McClymont, Te Atatu,
Auckland, New Zealand.