Christians and Situation Ethics

Christians and Situation Ethics

1. Situation Ethics was put forward by American Christian minister Joseph Fletcher in the 1960's.

   • Most Christians use this method to approach making moral decisions. Some only use it when making moral decisions.

2. Situation Ethics is all about LOVE!

   • Love should be the only consideration when making moral decisions.
   • A good action is the one that aims to do the most loving thing.
   • A person should only obey the rules of the Bible or teaching of the Church if it results in the most loving action.

3. FOR Situation Ethics

   • Every situation is judged individually.
   • As LOVE is the main principle, it follows a genuine Christian action
   • LOVE is an easy principle to apply and remember in all situations.
   • Doing the most loving thing will appeal to people as a positive idea.

4. AGAINST Situation Ethics

   • It is impossible to predict what will happen in every example, which is what this requires.
   • In theory, anything a person felt was the 'most loving thing' could be justified including adultery or murder.
   • It is not so easy to apply Situation Ethics in everyday cases where we are used to having rules.