them. Most of these morals are ignored by the Christians who profess to live by them.
Objective Morality is a Contradiction in Terms
Other Christians claim their god has implanted in all of mankind an objective morality, despite the fact that different people in different times and cultures have very different morals. One would have thought Yahweh might have implanted in certain Asians and Africans a sense of morality which includes not throwing rocks at people for adultery, chopping off hands for thievery or marrying and having sex with children. Perhaps it might have been a good idea to instill within the priests of the Inquisition a sense of morality that didn’ t include setting people on fire.
To say something is objective is to say it is not influenced by feelings or opinion. This is not the case with morality. Two plus two equals four is an example of objectivity. Feelings and opinions are irrelevant to this basic fact of arithmetic. Disagreement is logically impossible. It would be nonsensical to say“ But it is my opinion that two plus two equals fifteen.” It would even be nonsensical to say“ It is my opinion that two plus two equals four.” No, it’ s not an opinion. It’ s a fact.
It is equally nonsensical to say“ It is a fact that you shouldn’ t throw rocks at people.” Morals are, by their very definition, opinions. It is my opinion people shouldn’ t throw rocks at others, but some will disagree. Some might say it is objectively dangerous to throw rocks at people, but one must still form the opinion that“ danger” is wrong or immoral. Some might say only a lunatic or deviant would disagree, but this is redundant, as it is merely a reflection of the opinion one has of the behavior being discussed. And it should go without saying that stating an opinion about behavior is after all— an opinion— and is not an endorsement of said behavior.
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