Changes

==Moral standards==

==Moral standards==

In order for morality to be upheld, and degeneration to be effectively measured, standards must exist as points of moral reference. While legal philosophy made hold that immorality is whatever a moral person considers immoral, even these judgments are typically based on a foundation from formal religious sources, or secular ideology. On a corporate scale, all governments, and their legal and educational institutions operate out some basic beliefs. In America, it was widely held that, in the words of [[Theodore Roosevelt]], "To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society", with the morality referred to being historically principally that of the Bible.<ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/CauseEffect.html Cause and Effect: The Bible, the Educational System, and Its Influence]</ref>   

In order for morality to be upheld, and degeneration to be effectively measured, standards must exist as points of moral reference. While legal philosophy may hold that immorality is whatever a moral person considers immoral, these judgments are typically based on or are derived from transcendent religious sources, or established secular ideology. On a corporate scale, all governments, and their legal and educational institutions operate out some basic moral beliefs, making complete separation of State from moral ideology impossible. In America, it was widely held that, in the words of [[Theodore Roosevelt]], "To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society", with the morality referred to being historically principally that of the Bible.<ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/CauseEffect.html Cause and Effect: The Bible, the Educational System, and Its Influence]</ref>   

In the realm of formal religion, moral codes are past on via sacred scriptures and or [[tradition]], which usually transcend time. However, cultural adaptations may be made as needed, while upholding the principal of the original.<ref> An example from Biblical law would be the prohibition in [[Leviticus 18]]:21 (cf. 20:5) of child dedication or literal child sacrifice to the [[Canaanite]] god [[Molech]]  While the deity at subject is not an issue today, [[Christians]] may understand this (and like condemnations:  (Eze. 16:20-21; 20:31; Jer. 32:35; 2Ki. 23:10; 16:3; 17:17; 21:6, cf. Psa_106:37-38) as forbidding [[abortion]], and or giving their children over to be raised under false ideologies.</ref> This adaptation is an area of [[theology]].  

In the realm of formal religion, moral codes are past on via sacred scriptures and or [[tradition]], which usually transcend time. However, cultural adaptations may be made as needed, while upholding the principal of the original.<ref> An example from Biblical law would be the prohibition in [[Leviticus 18]]:21 (cf. 20:5) of child dedication or literal child sacrifice to the [[Canaanite]] god [[Molech]]  While the deity at subject is not an issue today, [[Christians]] may understand this (and like condemnations:  (Eze. 16:20-21; 20:31; Jer. 32:35; 2Ki. 23:10; 16:3; 17:17; 21:6, cf. Psa_106:37-38) as forbidding [[abortion]], and or giving their children over to be raised under false ideologies.</ref> This adaptation is an area of [[theology]].  

According to the [[New Testament]], conscience and creation reveals essential moral truth, with the [[holy Scripture]]s being the more comprehensive revelation, and the objective and immutable authority by which the truthfulness of any light of conscience is determined.<ref>Dr. John Gill (1690-1771), ''Exposition of the Entire Bible'', Romans 2</ref><ref>B. W. Johnson, ''The People's New Testament'' (1891), Romans 2:1-16</ref>   

According to the [[New Testament]], conscience and creation reveals essential moral truth, with the [[holy Scripture]]s being the more comprehensive revelation, and the objective and immutable authority by which the truthfulness of any light of conscience is determined.<ref>Dr. John Gill (1690-1771), ''Exposition of the Entire Bible'', Romans 2</ref><ref>B. W. Johnson, ''The People's New Testament'' (1891), Romans 2:1-16</ref>   

While all major formal religions usually possess basic moral commonalities, they can critically differ in some areas, including their manner or degree of adaptation, such as are seen in the contrasts between the [[Bible]] and the [[Qur'an]].<ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/JESUS.Vs.Muhammad.html MUHAMMAD VERSUS JESUS CHRIST]</ref>   

While all major formal religions usually possess many basic moral commonalities, they can critically differ in some areas, including their manner or degree of cultural adaptation, such as are seen in the contrasts between the [[Bible]] and the [[Qur'an]].<ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/JESUS.Vs.Muhammad.html MUHAMMAD VERSUS JESUS CHRIST]</ref>   

Under secularism, religiously based laws may be upheld without requiring formal assent to one formal religion, as was the case in most of the history of the United States. However, as changes in spiritual demographics occur, one ideological basis may be exchanged for another, such as is seen in atheistic humanism increasingly becoming the basis for morality in America, and essentially being State-sponsored, and supplanting that which was more Bible-based,<ref>http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/CauseEffect.html</ref>   

Under secularism, religiously based laws may be upheld without requiring formal assent to one formal religion, as was the case in most of the history of the United States. However, as changes in spiritual demographics occur, one ideological basis may be exchanged for another, such as is seen in atheistic humanism increasingly becoming the basis for morality in America, and essentially being State-sponsored, and supplanting that which was more Bible-based.<ref>http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/CauseEffect.html</ref>   

In the ideology of atheistic secular [[humanism]], which the most prominent Western form of secularism advances, moral values are highly subject to change, being based upon the presumed superior reasoning of man, who is set forth as the supreme lawgiver. Being basically atheistic, it operates out of a [[materialistic]] foundation, and lacking an objective, transcendent moral authority and its moral absolutes, it offers no assurance of moral stability, and is prone to extremes of [[moral relativism]].   

In the ideology of secular [[humanism]], which the most prominent Western form of secularism advances, moral values are highly subject to change, being based upon the presumed superior reasoning of man, who is set forth as the supreme lawgiver. Being basically atheistic, it operates out of a [[materialistic]] foundation, and lacking an objective, transcendent moral authority and its moral absolutes, it offers no assurance of moral stability, and is prone to extremes of [[moral relativism]].   

How materialism assesses morality is described by William Provine, a professor from Cornell University,

How materialism assesses morality is described by William Provine, a professor from Cornell University,