Moral Values on the Decline

Is Bible Morality Relevant?

Morality based on Bible teachings includes honesty and integrity.  Yet, cheating, corruption and fraud are widespread.  The Times of London reports that some detectives "are alleged to have pocketed up to $100,000 a time to recycle drugs or lose evidence against major underworld figures.  "In Austria insurance fraud is said to be a common practice. And in Germany the scientific community was aghast when researchers recently discovered "one of the most scandalous cases of fraud in German Science."  A professor, a "star among German geneticists," was accuse of having falsified or invented data on a large scale.

Bible-based morality also includes faithfulness in marriage, which is meant to be a permanent relationship.  But an increasing number of couples end  up in divorce court.  The Catholic newspaper Christ in der Gegenwart (The Contemporary Christian) reports that "even in 'conservative Switzerland, more and more marriages are breaking up."  In the Netherlands, 33 percent of all marriages end in divorce. A lady who noted the social changes in Germany in the past few years wrote of her concern:  "Marriage is now regarded as old-fashioned and out-of-date.  People no longer marry a partner for life."

On the  other hand, millions consider the moral standards taught in the Bible to be trustworthy and relevant to life in our modern world.  A married couple living on the Swiss-German border discovered that learning to live according to Bible morals made them happier.  As far as they are concerned, "there is only one guideline for all aspects of life.  That guideline is the Bible." 

What do you think? Can the Bible serve as a valuable guideline? (In my opinion,  yes)  Is Bible-based morality practical today?  (For me, it is a necessity, as it should be for everyone else; if you want to live after the resurrection). 

Next time: Is Bible Morality the Best?

Watchtower, 2000