An Open Letter to Christians Who Claim Morality Is Objective
To those who argue that morality is objective and rooted in Christianity,
I write to you not to mock, not to dismiss, but to challenge you—to invite you into a level of self-examination that you may have not yet undertaken. I have seen, time and time again, how debates about morality unfold. A skeptic or atheist will argue that morality is subjective, and rather than engage meaningfully with the implications of this view, many of you shift the conversation. You no longer argue for the objectivity of morality—you begin to argue that your opponent must be morally bankrupt. This is not honest engagement. This is a defense mechanism, and it does not serve you or your faith.
Your position is built on the assumption that without an objective moral lawgiver, morality collapses into chaos. But this assumption is unfounded. Societies function and develop ethical frameworks not because of divine commands but because of the reality of human cooperation. The ability to recognize harm, the necessity of trust, and the shared goal of well-being all create a foundation for moral reasoning—one that does not require supernatural reinforcement.
When you argue that morality is objective because it comes from God, you are making two critical errors. First, you assume that divine command creates objectivity rather than another form of subjectivity—namely, the will of a being that you claim has authority. Even if God exists, morality would still be contingent upon His preferences, making it, by definition, not objective but dependent. Second, you assume that objective morality is necessary for ethical behavior, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Many of the most moral and just societies are built on secular principles, where laws and ethics evolve through reason, experience, and compassion—not divine edict.
More troubling than the logical errors in your argument is the harm that stems from the belief that Christianity holds the sole authority over morality. History is rife with examples of religious moral certainty leading to oppression—forced conversions, persecution of minorities, suppression of scientific progress, and rigid dogmas that deny people autonomy over their own lives. When you insist that Christian morality must govern not only your own lives but the lives of others, you place society at risk of repeating these injustices.
Consider, for a moment, the implications of your argument. If morality were truly objective, there would be no variation in moral laws among cultures and religions. Yet, across history and geography, moral frameworks have evolved—shaped by human experience, not divine decree. You may counter that Christianity offers the "correct" moral system, but by what measure? The same book that commands love and kindness also justifies slavery, subjugation, and divine violence. If the Bible is the standard for objective morality, then by necessity, you must defend all of it. But you don't. You pick and choose, just as every society throughout history has done, refining morality based on reason and empathy rather than static scripture.
It is time to acknowledge that your worldview is not only in error but that it is dangerous when applied beyond your own personal convictions. If you want to believe that your moral compass is set by God, that is your prerogative. But to assert that Christianity is the necessary foundation for morality in broader society is a claim that demands scrutiny. And under scrutiny, it fails.
You do not need moral objectivity to live a moral life. You do not need divine command to be ethical. You need only to be willing to think deeply, to engage honestly, and to recognize that morality—like humanity itself—is ever-growing, ever-improving, and ever-dependent on our capacity for understanding, not obedience.
Sincerely,
DavidJohn
