Danger #4 RELATIVISM · Relativism says that certain moral choices are wrong for some people, but right for others. (No one was a moral relativist on 9/11, no one is a moral

Danger #4 Diagnosing the Culture

“ is the greatest problem

of our time.”

RELATIVISMRelativismPope Benedict XVI

Danger #4

RELATIVISM

Diagnosing the Culture

ADVANCED DEFINITION: The belief that there is no universal, absolute truth

but that truth differs from person to person. In other words, truth is relative to what each person thinks.

SIMPLE DEFINITION: The belief that truth can change over time, that

truth is different for every person, and that truth can pretty much be whatever you want it to be.

relative

timeperson

whatever

https://youtu.be/TdsVEI2NChw

truth 101There are 2 main kinds of truth:

Subjective truth Objective truth

Something that is true for the subject (person) making the statement, even though it may not be true for others.

Subjective truth:

Something that is true for everyone, even if they don’t know it or think it is true.

Objective truth:

subject

everyone

Cookie dough ice cream is super delicious.This ice cream has cookie dough chunks in it.

Watching chickens is enjoyable.Chickens exist.

Orange is the best color in the world.The shirt that guy is wearing is orange.

You make the call: Is it a subjective or objective statement?

truth 101

SubjectiveObjective

ObjectiveSubjective

SubjectiveObjective

Michael Jordan averaged 37.1 ppg in 1986-87.Michael Jordan is a 2-time Slam Dunk Champion.

ObjectiveObjective

Relativists claim that all truth (except for maybe mathematical and scientific truth) is subjective and

can therefore be different for different people.

truth 101

Catholics claim that there are some truths (like religious and moral truth) that is objective and

is therefore true for everyone.

Since both of these claims can’t be true at the same time, one of these claims is false.

subjectivedifferent

objectiveeveryone

false

Option 1

RELATIVISMOption 2

2+2=4 2+2=5

The earth is round.The earth is flat.

Slavery is moral. Slavery is immoral.

God exists. God doesn’t exist.In the above scenarios a relativist could say that both options 1 and 2 are true (“One is true for you, one is true for me - we’re both right!”). But objectively only one of the options can actually be true at a time.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF

IN AMERICAN CULTURE…RELATIVISM

Relativism is a big issue among teens…

*Barna Research Group: https://www.barna.com/research/americans-are-most-likely-to-base-truth-on-feelings/ Dangers to the Faith: Recognizing Catholicism’s 21st Century Opponents (page 122)

72% of adults agreed with the statement: “There is no such thing as absolute truth. Two people could define truth in totally

conflicting ways, but both still be correct.”

94% of teens do not believe in absolute moral truth. (In other words, 94% of teens are relativists.)

… and adults

*NOTE: Based on my own experience, many people don’t even realize they’re relativists. They are good, loving people who are only relativistic at times because they don’t want to be seen as “intolerant” or be labeled as a “hater”.

9494

72

intolerant hater

Relativism Catch-Phrases(Easy ways to spot relativism) # 1

Relativism Catch-Phrases(Easy ways to spot relativism) #2

Relativism Catch-Phrases(Easy ways to spot relativism) # 3

Relativism Catch-Phrases(Easy ways to spot relativism) #4

Relativism Catch-Phrases(Easy ways to spot relativism) # 5

Relativism Catch-Phrases(Easy ways to spot relativism) # 6

Relativism Catch-Phrases(Easy ways to spot relativism) # 7

Put on your Catholic goggles and spot the relativism!

“The truth will set you free.” - Jesus (John 8:32)

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

- Jesus (John 14:6)

Moral Relativism in Today’s Abortion Debate

From a self-identified “conservative”

Moral Relativism in Today’s Abortion Debate

https://vimeo.com/142215053

From a self-identified “liberal”

“I accept in my personal life…”

“I refuse to impose…”

“I don’t believe we have a right to tell others…”

THE DOCTOR’S PRESCRIPTION FOR

RELATIVISM

Recognize the problems with relativism and help others see these problems as well.

MAIN TREATMENT:

Recognizeothers

https://vimeo.com/142215204

Chris Stefanick

https://vimeo.com/142214900

Dr. William Lane Craig

5 Big Problems with Relativism1. Relativism makes no sense (it refutes itself!).

(“It is absolutely true for everyone that nothing is absolutely true for everyone.” WHAAAAAT???)

2. Relativism says that certain moral choices are wrong for some people, but right for others. (No one was a moral relativist on 9/11, no one is a moral relativist after getting sucker punched, etc.)

3. Relativism says that truth can change over time.(“300 years ago it was wrong to torture toddlers, but now it’s okay.” “Bullying 6th graders was wrong on Monday, but now that it’s Tuesday it’s great!” REALLY???)

no sensenothing

wrong right

change

9/11sucker punched

nowon Monday

Tuesday

4. Relativism leads us to believe that truth is based on a “majority vote”. (The majority of people in America used to believe that slavery was okay… The majority of people in Germany used to think Jews should be exterminated… Something doesn’t become true simply because the majority of people believe it.)

5. Relativism makes ME the “God” of my life. (“Don’t tell me what I can or can’t do! I’ll do whatever I want, whenever I want, however I want, with whomever I want! I get to decide what is right or wrong for me.”)

5 Big Problems with Relativism

majority vote

ME

slaveryexterminated

majority

whateverwhenever however whomever

RELATIVISM

HTRUT