116k views
4 votes
Which of the following examples contains a disagreement between popular thought and divine command theory?

a.) God says to forgive all people, but many crimes are thought to be
unforgivable.
b.) God forbids lying, so many people try to be honest all the time.
c.) God commands all people to love him, and many do.
d.) God forbids worship of other gods, but he doesn't forbid worship of
himself.

User Swaps
by
7.5k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

The example that shows a disagreement between popular thought and divine command theory is the one where God's command to forgive conflicts with the belief that some crimes are unforgivable. This highlights how divine command theory can lead to actions that contradict widely accepted moral principles, as morality is based solely on divine will.

Step-by-step explanation:

Disagreement Between Popular Thought and Divine Command Theory

An example containing a disagreement between popular thought and divine command theory is: 'God says to forgive all people, but many crimes are thought to be unforgivable.' This statement illustrates a conflict where divine command, which prescribes universal forgiveness, contrasts with a common societal belief that some actions are beyond forgiveness. Divine command theory posits that whatever God commands is inherently good, and what God forbids is bad, without any intrinsic morality apart from the deity's dictates. Consequently, if people are commanded by their deity to perform acts that are generally considered immoral, such as hurting innocents or engaging in violence, these actions would be morally acceptable within the framework of divine command theory. This creates a fundamental challenge as it disconnects morality from commonly accepted ethical standards and bases it solely on the will of the divine.

It is important to note that no major organized religion subscribes to divine command theory in its purest form due to the potential for contradiction and moral chaos it engenders. Instead, many religions opt for a natural law approach that seeks to align religious teachings with a shared human understanding of good and evil.

User Geraldarthur
by
8.1k points