How do Christian teachings about the Afterlife affect Moral Behaviour Flashcards
In Christianity, since its earliest days, there has been a tension between ‘…’ and ‘…’ as necessary for entry into heaven.
‘faith’ and ‘good works’
What will most Christians argue, faith or good works, is more necessary for entry into heaven? What are the other Christians arguments?
Most Christians will argue that both are acquired; the person who claims they accept that Jesus was the son of God and who goes to church every Sunday but does nothing for anyone else is not going to get to heaven, and neither is the person who raises a lot of money for charity and looks after others but has no Christian faith.
This is not a universal Christian view, however; some may argue that a death bed conversion where there is no time left to do any deeds, good or otherwise, will be sufficient for entry to heaven; and some will argue that a God of love will not give eternal punishment to people who have spent their lives caring for others, whatever their beliefs. Others also might argue that if someone is devoted to helping those in need, he or she is an anonymous Christian, living a Christian life without explicitly recognising it.
Why do critics argue that desire for heaven and fear of hell should not be used as the motivation for moral behaviour?
because if, for example, someone looks after people in need only because he wants to be rewarded in heaven, perhaps it is not moral behaviour after all but thinly disguised selfishness.
Immanuel Kant argued that the only right motivation for doing good is because it is the right thing o do, there should be no other motivation at all
For an individual, why does a belief in heaven and hell affect their moral behaviour?
because the individual will have an expectation of standing before God in judgement as a sole agent, personally responsible for his or her own choices.
Why may a Christian sometimes make moral choices which are in opposition to the view of the majority within the Church?
in judgement after death, it would not be a sufficient excuse to claim that they just went along with everyone else despite having misgivings
for example, a Christian might decide to go against gay rights despite the Church accepting equal marriage laws
