In order to approach this topic, it is essential for us to understand what we mean by the term relativism.
Relativism is the philosophical position that all points of view are equally valid and that all truth is relative to the individual. This means that all moral positions, all religious systems, all art forms, all political movements, etc., are truths that are relative to the individual. Under the umbrella of relativism whole groups of perspectives are categorized. In obvious terms, some are:
cognitive relativism (truth) - Cognitive relativism affirms that all truth is relative. This would mean that no system of truth is more valid than another one and that there is no objective standard of truth. It would, naturally, deny that there is a God of absolute truth.
moral/ethical relativism - all morals are relative to the social group within which they are constructed.
situational relativism - that ethics (right and wrong) are dependent upon the situation.
Within the ranks of both Catholicism and Protestantism we find the effects of relativism, particularly in terms of morality. In other articles we have discussed moral relativism, so I won't make that the main focus of this article. I want to look at how relativism has affected Catholicism specifically and Protestantism as a whole.
Continue reading The Effects of Relativism on Christianity.
