Moral Compasses

A recent online survey queried, “is a belief in God necessary to have a moral compass?” My immediate response was, “morality is an intrinsic quality of the spiritual nature.”

“In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1Pt. 3:15).

Therefore, with sincere gentleness and respect for opposing opinions, I invite you to consider the following observations.

In secular circles it is proposed that having a moral compass without a belief in God is possible through various philosophical, ethical, and psychological frameworks. There are many ways people develop and navigate their moral beliefs without relying on religious faith. While this may not be an exhaustive list of these structures, the following ideologies cover the most common ones.

Several systems such as Utilitarianism (pragmatism), Deontology (duty), Virtue ethics (settled sentiment), and Consequentialism (ethical decisions made solely on the basis of an expected outcome), provide foundations for evaluating actions to determine what is morally right or wrong without appealing to religious beliefs. These systems often focus on principles such as maximizing happiness, following universal rules, cultivating virtues, or considering the consequences of actions.

In researching these ethical philosophies, I discovered that each, left entirely to its own merit, falls far short of a reliable source of morality.

Utilitarianism believes that actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority. Upon that definition of morality, minorities – the greater population at large – are irrelevant. If a “majority” determine stealing drugs to benefit the “majority” group is “right”, how can this serve as a universal moral compass?

Deontology uses rules to distinguish right from wrong. While such is vaguely reminiscent of the Old Testament Commandments, unless the “rules” are revered universally, like many civil laws, they can differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas?

Virtue ethics merely proposes that whatever has been established in each individuals conscience as right or wrong is sufficient. Raised among thieves, stealing is right.

Consequentialism is to philosophy what cause and effect is to science. The idea that ethical decisions should be based solely on an expected outcome allow for every “wrong” decision to be excused and ultimately considered “right”.

The existence of a moral compass without faith in God demonstrates a diversity of ethical perspectives and a capacity of human beings to develop moral foundations based on a range of philosophical, cultural, and psychological factors. The cumulative results are the creation of an ideological “My Truth”.

When contemplating humanity’s Moral Compass understanding these various secular philosophies is important. Without a faith in God, there must be some alternative to determine right from wrong. But these lack the certainty, clarity, and universal application that the very term (moral compass) implies.

A compass ALWAYS points NORTH. It is universal, no matter where or who, it remains constant. How can any trust a compass that offers less?

“Jesus Christ is the SAME yesterday, today, and forever.” Heb. 13:8

Humanism emphasizes human values, dignity, and well-being as the basis for ethical decision-making. It prioritizes reason, empathy, compassion, and a commitment to human rights and social justice without requiring belief in a higher power. But it fails to extend these priorities to everyone. Locally, a recent crisis has flipped these priorities. Criminal’s rights have superseded victim’s rights. Non-citizens are afforded welfare while many citizens are denied.

“who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.” Ro. 1:25

Morality is often instilled through socialization processes within families, communities, and cultures. People develop a sense of right and wrong through upbringing, education, social interactions, and exposure to diverse perspectives, regardless of religious beliefs. However, such socialization rarely provides a universally dependable moral compass. Consider the distinct differences between the Jewish community and the Islamic. One moral compass advocates ensuring that all people are treated with dignity and respect; the other professes elimination of the infidel at all cost.

Although empathy provides individuals an understanding of the feelings of others, promoting compassionate and ethical behavior as a consistent result is fleeting. Rationality can enable critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and the evaluation of moral dilemmas based on logical principles, but without a spiritual revelation, it does not (and cannot) define and and rightly apply universal truth.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Jn.14:6
“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1Cor. 2:14

Some ethical theories ground morality in natural phenomena, evolutionary processes, or human psychology. The existence of a moral compass without faith in God exposes a diversity of ethical perspectives and the capacity of human beings to develop moral frameworks based on a range of philosophical, cultural, and psychological factors. Never-the-less, without a reliable true NORTH, such moral compasses are futile.

“There is a way that seems right to a man,But its end is the way of death.“ Pr. 14:12