Amos 1

Natalie Amos
Professor Sipin
Engl 211
2/22/15
Journal 5
Throughout history there has been conflict between people of different religious beliefs.
In recent years the tension has risen between those without religious affiliation and those who are
religious, predominantly the Christians. There are those that ask why the morality of Christianity
is attacked, since morality is not a purely religious fixture and whether those people who have
attacked it can separate their opinions from their emotions and still justify and explain it.
These inquiries are ones that many on the Christian side have asked and are very valid questions
to have, but they neglect to truly delve into the motives behind this conflict. Those that reject the
Christian morality are not rejecting it in its entirety, but those aspects of it that, to them, are not
moral, but are simply doctrines of Christianity that, if followed, do not define a person as
good.
Within the bible there are scriptures which instruct people to love thy neighbor and to
give to those in need, acts which are generally considered moral to all peoples, yet there are also
scriptures that condemn homosexuality, promote the obedience of women, and other doctrines
such as these. Those that speak against the Christian morality are often a part of groups that the
bible denounces. For example, sexual orientation is a part of someones identity, it is a part of
who they are. It seems a little senseless to ask why homosexual people might speak out against a
morality which convicts them. Furthermore, though this particular subject can be a very
emotional one for those embroiled in the conflict, when it is looked at more closely, the only true

Amos 2
reason that condemning homosexuality is considered moral to Christians is that it is stated within
Christianitys holy book, so for those who are not Christian, there is no reason to believe it to be
moral.
Some might say that many of those that attack the Christian morality do not think through
their own beliefs and simply lash out blindly at Christianity without truly considering what they
are attacking. In some cases, this is true, but there are also those on the side of Christianity who
can be accused of the same thing, one example of this is Westboro Baptist Church. These
fundamentalists do not consider the logic behind others beliefs and have no explanation for their
own beliefs other than it is the word of God. On each side of this argument, there are those
who can only seem to spew their beliefs in anger with no rational thought proceeding. This does
not mean that there is no one who can thoughtfully present their morality. It would be foolish to
lump all Christians in with Westboro Baptist church, likewise it would be foolish to lump all
non-Christians in with anti-Christians.
When entering any argument, one should analyze the subject and the opposing sides
before imparting ones own thoughts. There are many people who neglect to do this, even on a
topic as important to peoples lives as religion, but that does not mean that there is no rational
thought put forth by rational people. This is a fact that is imperative to remember, so that
misunderstanding is avoided.