Worldview Issues Treatment

Each worldview has a tendency to deal with various categories of moral issues in its own unique way. The word “tendency” is used, here, because we could only be definitive if we use the pure theoretical definition of each worldview. But, worldviews in real life do not tend to be pure that way. People have a particular basic foundation, but always have other beliefs mixed in – sometimes even contradictory beliefs. The descriptions below are true to the extent that a person’s worldview and life are consistent with one another.
The example above is only designed to illustrate the limitations of the chart. There will be similar variations in every category because of the “cross-pollination” of worldviews.

Understanding the previous limitations, you will find a basic description below of how the primary worldviews would treat various subjects.

Life Issues

Abortion
Genocide
Terrorism
Euthanasia
Murder
War
Suicide
“Right to die”

Naturalism – None of these issues are wrong, in and of themselves. They are good or bad
depending on the needs of society at large at any given moment and in any given
circumstance.

Animism – Most of these issues are wrong as they relate to ones own group. Each would
disrupt the connection between family and clan – both living and on the other side of death.
It may be another matter, though, as it relates to other groups. The primary goal is to make
sure that one’s own gods are protected and taken care of. The group that fails to do that
will be punished by their gods. These things, though, may be okay as they relate to other
groups if they do not share the same gods.

Far Eastern Thought – These issues would all be considered wrong. Every creature is on
the path of moving through successive lives to ultimately become one with the One. No one
has a right to disrupt this process and those who do will find themselves moving backward
rather than forward

Theism – In general, Theistic worldviews would tend to judge these issues to be wrong.
However, there are some variations. Most theistic groups have some kind of holy book that
is considered authoritative in matters of morality. In some of them there may be
justification for some of these practices under certain circumstances. You must consult each
one individually to determine its viewpoint.

Relational Revelation – The teachings of Relational Revelation have a high view of the
sanctity of life. It is particularly clear that murder is not acceptable. There are cases where
the taking of life is acceptable, even if unfortunate, but none of those cases involve the
taking of innocent life. Abortion, euthanasia, suicide, genocide, “right to die” issues, murder,
and terrorism all fit into the category of taking innocent life. War can go either way
depending on the particular circumstances of the war.

Sexual Issues

Adultery
Exhibitionism
Pedophilia
Prostitution
Bigamy
Fornication
Pornography
Rape
Polygamy
Homosexuality
Bestiality

Naturalism – None of these activities are wrong, in and of themselves. They are good or
bad depending on the needs of society at large at any given moment and in any given
circumstance.

Animism – Most of these activities are considered wrong as they relate to one’s own group
(though each group might have its own ideas about any particular act). Anything that would
tend to disrupt the connection between family and clan, both living and on the other side of
death, is typically considered to be bad. Acts such as rape and prostitution, when done to
someone not related to the group or the group’s gods, may not be seen as particularly
troublesome, unless the act ends up having a bad effect on one’s own group.

Far Eastern Thought – Far Eastern Thought basically promotes a conservative attitude
concerning sexual matters. It teaches to observe celibacy when single and promotes
faithfulness in marriage. This attitude is founded on a basic passivity that promotes
restraint. There is a basic order of the universe, which includes traditional ideas about
sexuality, and humans should try to live within it. Moving outside of those parameters goes
against flow of the universe and puts a person in a position to not progress toward his or
her proper ultimate destiny.

Theism – In general, Theistic worldviews tend to judge these actions to be wrong. However,
there are variations among the different theistic groups. Most have some kind of holy book
that is considered authoritative in matters of morality. In some of them there may be
justification, or even acceptance, of some of these practices under certain circumstances.
You must consult each theistic approach to determine its specific viewpoint.

Relational Revelation – Relational Revelation views proper sexual activity as being within
the context of a sacred spiritual union. This activity was designed to be exercised only
within the bonds of marriage, and any activity outside of the marriage relationship is
considered wrong. Additionally, improper sexual activity also has a degrading effect on
others by objectifying individuals. This is seen to be the wrong way to interact with other
humans who are created in the image of God.

Personal Integrity Issues

Cheating
Lying
Revenge
Fraud
Profanity
Theft
Greed

Naturalism – Most Naturalists would probably frown on someone who participated in these
personal integrity activities. The problem, however, is not that they were wrong in an of
themselves. In fact, there may be instances when they might not create a problem at all.
But each one of these issues has a high likelihood of being disruptive to the smooth
operation of society and would be bad on that count.

Animism – Within the sphere of influence of the local gods, each of these issues would
probably be considered as bad, since they are disruptive to the unity of the group. Outside
of the group, however, where the influence of the clan or family gods is not an issue, there
is no essential problem.

Far Eastern Thought – These issues would all be considered wrong as they go against the
natural order of things. Contentment with one’s place in life is a central value, and each of
these integrity issues steps outside of that principle.

Theism – In general, Theistic worldviews would tend to judge these issues to be wrong.
However, there are variations among the different systems. Most theistic groups have some
kind of holy book that is considered authoritative in matters of personal integrity. In some
approaches there may be justification for various of these practices under certain
circumstances. You must consult each one to determine its viewpoint.

Relational Revelation – The Bible teaches a standard of holiness that is based on the
character of God. Each of the activities in this category specifically contradicts the revealed
character of God and thus are wrong for individuals to practice. Rather, believers are
encouraged to strive to put these things out of one’s life.

Physical Health Issues

Alcohol abuse
Obesity
Overwork
Drug abuse
Smoking
Lack of exercise
Gluttony

Naturalism – Since the highest order of existence is humanity, it is considered a bad thing
to participate in activities, which would destroy the self. After all, this life is all there is. It is
not that any one of these things could necessarily be considered immoral, since morality is
defined by humanity. They are bad only to the degree that they compromise the viability of
society.

Animism – None of these issues is particularly a problem unless they result in behavior that
harms the group. It is not the individual activities that prove problematic, but the actions
that result from them. As long as a person can keep from bringing difficulty on the group,
there is no problem with these.

Far Eastern Thought – These issues would all be considered wrong. Each of them are an
indication that a person is putting physical pleasure over inner serenity. The ultimate goal is
to completely put aside physical expressions of the human condition and move toward
oneness with that which is beyond the physical.

Theism – In general, Theistic worldviews would tend to judge these issues to be wrong.
However, there are variations among the different ones. Most theistic groups have some
kind of holy book that is considered authoritative in matters of living life. Different ones will
treat the various issues in different ways depending on the circumstances. You must consult
each one to determine its viewpoint.

Relational Revelation – The teachings of Relational Revelation have a high view of the
body. It is considered to be the “Temple of the Holy Spirit,” which is the dwelling place of
God in this world. As such, it is bad to do anything, which will cause the body to be less
effective in carrying out the purposes of God.

Industriousness Issues

Gambling
Laziness
Mooching
Hedonism
Begging

Naturalism – Since the highest order of existence is humanity, it is considered a bad thing
to participate in activities which would do damage to society at large. After all, this life is all
there is. It is not that any one of these things could necessarily be considered immoral,
since morality is defined by humanity. They are bad only to the degree that they
compromise the viability of society.

Animism – Industriousness issues tend toward total self-satisfaction. Animists have a high
concern with the welfare of the group. Thus the idea of becoming self-absorbed would cause
damage to the group and not be considered a good thing.

Far Eastern Thought – Self-absorption is completely contrary to the tenets of Far Eastern
Thought. The goal is to put desires aside, not revel in them.

Theism – In general, Theistic worldviews would tend to judge these attitudes and activities
to be wrong. However, there are variations among the different ones. Most theistic groups
have some kind of holy book that is considered authoritative in matters of lifestyle. In some
of them there may be justification for some of these practices under certain circumstances.
You must consult each one to determine its viewpoint.

Relational Revelation – The teachings of Relational Revelation treat lifestyle to be of
utmost importance. The most important passion is to please God, not self. The
misarrangement of these priorities breaks down the fellowship a person is able to have with
God which completely counteracts God’s purposes for mankind.

Relationship Issues

Bigotry
Domestic Violence
Divorce
Slavery
Child Exploitation
Hatred
Prejudice
Torture

Naturalism – None of these issues are wrong, in and of themselves. They are good or bad
depending on the needs of society at large at any given moment and in any given
circumstance. There are cases where any of these might be considered good as they
strengthen one’s own group at the expense of one’s enemies. On the other hand, some of
them may cause a weakening within one’s own group and might be considered wrong if that
happens.

Animism – Most of these issues are wrong as they relate to ones own group. Each would
disrupt the connection between family and clan – both those living and those on the other
side of death. It may be another matter, though, as it relates to other groups. The primary
goal is to make sure that one’s own gods are protected and taken care of. The group that
fails to do that will be punished by their gods. These, though, may be okay as they relate to
other groups who do not share the same gods.

Far Eastern Thought – These issues would all be considered wrong. Every living creature
is on the path of moving through successive lives to ultimately become one with the One.
No one has a right to disrupt this process in oneself or in others, and those who do will find
themselves moving backward rather than forward on the path toward oneness with the One.

Theism – In general, Theistic worldviews would tend to judge these issues to be wrong.
However, there are variations among the different ones. Most theistic groups have some
kind of holy book that is considered authoritative in matters of morality. In some of them
there may be justification for some of these practices under certain circumstances. You
must consult each one to determine its viewpoint.

Relational Revelation – The teachings of Relational Revelation have a high view of the
value of the family and the individual. As each of these attitudes tends to denigrate
humans, they are definitely not to be seen as normative.

Church-State Issues

Posting of Ten Commandments Government money to religious charities
Religious symbols on public property Religious organizations meeting on public property
Praying in school Religious symbols included in public symbols
Praying at public institutions Religious words in the pledge of allegiance
Government money to religious schools

Naturalism – Typically, naturalists would take issue with mixing “religion” with public life
because it would be seen as pointless. Any acceptance of spiritual reality is viewed as
superstition. Even though most naturalists would not consider themselves religious,
naturalism is a faith position and, therefore, a religious movement. This religion, though, is
atheistic and objects to any religious expression that acknowledges God or a non-empirical
approach to understanding reality.

Animism – In principle, animists would not have a problem in this area. They already
recognize physical and spiritual reality as completely intertwined.

Far Eastern Thought – Church-state issues are virtually meaningless to people who adhere
to this worldview. The very institutions of state, as well as any other material expression in
the world, are considered to be temporary and illusory, so getting involved in arguments
about them has no significance.

Theism – Theists would tend to be on the opposite side of this issue from the naturalists.
They see God as real and relevant and should be visible in the public square. Different
groups of theists do have different ways that they would express it, though. Some would
actually like to have a theocratic form of government where religious influence determines
public policy, while others want to see religious influence without there being a government
established religious order.

Relational Revelation – Even within Relational Revelation, there is a variety of opinion.
But, in America, most people would prefer that it be possible to have an open opportunity
for religious expression in the public square without there being a government-sponsored
religion.