Personal and Family Issues

Personal Ethics and Christian Beliefs

Golden Rule: Christians believe in the ethical principle ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’. This is called the Golden Rule.
Freewill and Responsibility: Christianity teaches individuals have freewill bestowed by God, and with this comes personal responsibility for our actions.
Sin and Forgiveness: Sin is considered a breach of God’s law and way. Christians seek forgiveness for sins through repentance and faith in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Conscience: Christians believe conscience is a moral sense, given by God, that guides decisions. What is right or wrong is determined by applying the Bible’s teachings and Holy Spirit guidance.

Family Ethics – Christian Perspectives

Sanctity of Marriage: Christian teachings uphold the sanctity of marriage, seeing it as a life-long commitment where love, trust and fidelity should be central.
Roles within Marriage: Many Christians believe in equality within the marriage and shared responsibility for child rearing based on mutual respect.
Divorce and Remarriage: Traditional Christianity does not encourage divorce unless in cases of adultery. However, many Christians accept that, in some circumstances, divorce may be the less harmful option. Views on remarriage vary.
Child Rearing: Raising children to follow Christian teachings and values is considered a key responsibility of Christian parents. This includes teaching about love, respect, honesty, and charity.

Christian Ethics on Social and Moral Issues

Abortion: Christian views on abortion generally align with the belief in the sanctity of life. However, there are differing views within the community, partially due to different interpretations of when life is believed to begin.
Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide: These issues are often opposed by Christians due to the belief in the sanctity of life and trust in God’s plan. Yet, some Christians argue for compassionate reasons.
Gender and Sexual Ethics: The Bible offers teachings on sexual morality, which form the basis for Christian stances. However, interpretations and acceptance of these issues vary widely among different Christian communities.
Poverty and Wealth: Christian ethics stress the importance of charity, generosity, and a just society. Wealth is seen as a responsibility and should be used to help others.

Ethics in Everyday Living

Honesty and Integrity: Christians believe lying is a sin. Honesty and integrity are important virtues promoted in the Bible.
Love and Compassion: Love (agape) is one of the central teachings of Jesus. He commanded his followers to love God and love their neighbour as themselves.
Forgiveness and Grace: Christians are taught to forgive others, remembering that they also receive forgiveness from God.
Service and Humility: Scriptures teach about serving others and living with humility, rather than seeking power and success.