Forums → WEPR → Modern Morality: Christianity against Greek Mythology

Some theist state that there religion is good because it gives them a moral code. But if that is the case, then why let a religion with a good moral code die? The Greek Myths may not have a set moral code, but I will use the examples set by the Greek heroes as morals.

On killing:

The Greek heroes had no aversion to killing, at least to there enemies.

Christianity swings both ways on this one. They say "Thout shalt not kill" but have billions killed in holey ways.

I will consider this one a tie, as it depends on how you look at it.

On Woman:

The Greek myths value women to a degree. There were several goddesses and some Greek heroes even went to the extend of going into the land of the dead to save there wives.

The Bible regards women as less then men. The characters tend to not care when there wives are turned into pillars of salt and have multiple wives.

Point for the Greek.

Homosexuality:

The Greek seemed to have no problem with it, in fact, Apollo swung both ways and had male lovers.

The Biblical god hates homosexuality.

Point Greek.

Researching and gaining knowledge:

The Greeks are all for it. Many of there heroes use intellect and wit to get out of sticky situations and they have a goddess assigned to wisdom.

The Bible seems to not care about any wisdom that is not gods and there heroes, such as "Peter and John ... were unlearned and ignorant men", and things telling you to be ignorant.

Point Greek.

lies:

The Greek heroes and gods lie often to save themselves and others trouble. They don't even pretend to be benevolent.

The God of the Bible have harsh punishments for small lies. It once more swings both ways on this, as god and his prophets had lied. "Say, I pray thee, thouart my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee."

So a point to either depending on how you look at it.

Steeling:

The Greeks have little problem with it and actually have a god of thieves.

The Bible still swings both ways. The tend commandments say not to steel, but then god turns around and tells them to "Burrow" the Egyptians things. And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:

Still depends on how you look at it.

Sex:

The Greek had no problem with sex. It created many of there heroes and filled their stories.

The Bible swings both ways(Surprise surprise!). The ten commandments and other things say it is bad, yet angels, prophets, and ordinary people have sex all the time in the stories. Some times with people they are not even married to or even family members, as in the case of Drunken Lot.

Depends how you look at it still.

Sacrifice:

The Greek sacrificed periodically for the enjoyment of there non omnipotent gods. They did not sacrifice human often in the stories, save if they really pissed a god off, and even then they some times live happily ever after.

The Christian god was not opposed to human sacrifices, he even killed a few for that purpose, yet the newer books state to not sacrifice any more because of the divine human sacrifice.

Still depends on how you look at it...

In conclusion, why choose Christianity from a purely moral bases if other religions that you think are totally preposterous have equil, some times better, morals?