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Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

Title:Discussions from a Christian Perspective
Notice:Prostitutes and tax collectors welcome!
Moderator:CSC32::J_CHRISTIE
Created:Mon Sep 17 1990
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1362
Total number of notes:61362

1103.0. "The conscience" by CSC32::J_CHRISTIE (Unquenchable fire) Sat Jun 24 1995 14:32

Of what use is the human conscience?

Shalom,
Richard

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1103.1See 1082.79CSC32::J_OPPELTHe said, 'To blave...'Sat Jun 24 1995 19:052
    	I'd say that the value of the conscience is determined by the
    	formation of it.
1103.2DECALP::GUTZWILLERhappiness- U want what U haveMon Jun 26 1995 12:2611
CONSCIENCE.
1 a knowledge or sense of right and wrong, with an urge to do right; moral
  judgment that opposes the violation of a previously recognized ethical
  principle and that leeds to feelings of guilt if one violates such a 
  principle   
2 [Obs.] a) consciousness b) inner thoughts or feelings




quoted from webster's new world dictionary
1103.3DECALP::GUTZWILLERhappiness- U want what U haveMon Jun 26 1995 12:3914
.0> Of what use is the human conscience?

going by the dictionary definition (.2), this question is simple to
answer. as a person's consciousness or inner thoughts or feelings,
the human conscience is a given - without it we wouldn't be conscious of 
our being.
and as a sense of right and wrong, with an urge to do right, the human 
conscience serves as an inner guidance system. this inner guidance system 
orients itself on outside landmarks. these landmarks are set by the world
outside and they are recognised as point of reference by the individual.



andreas.
1103.4CSC32::J_CHRISTIEUnquenchable fireMon Jun 26 1995 22:369
    Why might some consciences be more sensitized than others?
    
    Why might some consciences be more desensitized?  It is said that
    sociopaths suffer no pangs of conscience.  Sociopaths are perhaps
    the most extreme example.
    
    Shalom,
    Richard
    
1103.5DECALP::GUTZWILLERhappiness- U want what U haveTue Jun 27 1995 05:4018
>   Why might some consciences be more sensitized than others?

as joe has already pointed out in .1, the sense of right and wrong 
is determined by the formation of it.

at the extremes, with people such as rapists, child molesters, killers, 
there must have been a complete absence or very strong contradictions 
about the sense of right/wrong in the early stages of formation.


>    It is said that sociopaths suffer no pangs of conscience.  

as far as i know, very extreme criminals shut out all guilt since they
would otherwise suffer very intensly from guilt.



andreas.
1103.6who is ultimately right/wrong?DECALP::GUTZWILLERhappiness- U want what U haveTue Jun 27 1995 06:3913
it is interesting to consider the position of a conscienscious (sp) objector 
(ie. one who refuses to serve in the army when there is a general draft).

is this an individual with an exceptional sense of right and wrong?

this individual is most certainly subjected to conflicting understandings
of right and wrong in religious and secular terms. and by following his 
conscience [by refusing to serve in the army] the conscienscious objector 
risks braking the law.



andreas.
1103.7USAT05::BENSONEternal WeltanschauungTue Jun 27 1995 11:5523
>it is interesting to consider the position of a conscienscious (sp) objector 
>(ie. one who refuses to serve in the army when there is a general draft).

>is this an individual with an exceptional sense of right and wrong?

    I believe that it is still true that a conscientious objector must have
    a convincing basis for their objection.  That is, there must be an
    underlying religious teaching (or some other objective/traditional
    standard) on which they base their objection.   There are a few
    Christian sects which hold passivity strongly - the Quakers and
    Mennonites come to mind.  I believe that conscientious objection is
    more a matter of training than anything else.
    
>this individual is most certainly subjected to conflicting understandings
>of right and wrong in religious and secular terms. and by following his 
>conscience [by refusing to serve in the army] the conscienscious objector 
>risks braking the law.
    
    The religious conscientious objector who can prove sincerity is always
    honored by the govt.


    jeff
1103.8CSC32::J_CHRISTIEUnquenchable fireTue Jun 27 1995 12:4923
.6

>it is interesting to consider the position of a conscienscious (sp) objector 
>(ie. one who refuses to serve in the army when there is a general draft).

>is this an individual with an exceptional sense of right and wrong?

I think so.

There is no longer a requirement of religious affiliation to become a
conscientious objecter.

And your definition of a CO is a little off, Andreas.  A conscientious objecter
is one who will yield to being drafted, but will not use instruments of deadly
force.  Historically, COs have become medics, etc..

I believe the conscience is a very tender thing and can be comprised by
self-interest and rationalizations -- just as the Bible is frequently
compromised by self-interest and rationalizations.

Shalom,
Richard

1103.9DECALP::GUTZWILLERhappiness- U want what U haveTue Jun 27 1995 14:3917
>And your definition of a CO is a little off, Andreas.  A conscientious objecter
>is one who will yield to being drafted, but will not use instruments of deadly
>force.  Historically, COs have become medics, etc..

you have done well to correct me here, richard.

my definition was indeed a little off. here in switzerland, where every man 
must still do compulsory military service, COs have historically been given
a very hard time in proving their sincerity.

whatever the guide of ones actions, the conscience or the bible, you make
an excellent point about the danger of self-interest and rationalizations in
either case.



andreas.
1103.10A few uses of the term 'conscience' in the KJVCSC32::J_CHRISTIEUnquenchable fireWed Jun 28 1995 13:2524
I Peter 3:16 --
  Having a good �conscience;� that, whereas they speak evil
  of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely
  accuse your good conversation in Christ.


I Corinthians 10:29 --
  �Conscience,� I say, not thine own, but of the other: for
  why is my liberty judged of another [man's] �conscience?�
  10:30  For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken
  of for that for which I give thanks?


Acts 24:16 -- 
  And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a
  �conscience� void of offence toward God, and [toward] men.


John 8:9 --
  And they which heard [it], being convicted by [their own]
  �conscience,� went out one by one, beginning at the eldest,
  [even] unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman
  standing in the midst.

1103.1130 uses of the term "conscience" in the NTCSLALL::HENDERSONLearning to leanWed Jun 28 1995 13:31131




John 8:9  And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, 
went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus 
was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 

Acts 23:1  And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, 
I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. 

Acts 24:16  And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void 
to offence toward God, and toward men. 

Romans 2:15  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their 
conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or 
else excusing one another;) 

Romans 9:1  I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing 
me witness in the Holy Ghost, 

Romans 13:5  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also 
for conscience sake. 

1Corinthians 8:7  Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some 
with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an 
idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 

1Corinthians 8:10  For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat 
in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be 
emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 

1Corinthians 8:12  But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their 
weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 

1Corinthians 10:25  Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no 
question for conscience sake: 

1Corinthians 10:27  If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye 
be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for 
conscience sake. 

 28  But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, 
eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is 
the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: 

 29  Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my 
liberty judged of another man's conscience? 


2Corinthians 1:12  For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our 
conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, 
but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more 
abundantly to you-ward. 


2Corinthians 4:2  But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not 
walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by 
manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in 
the sight of God. 


2Corinthians 5:11  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; 
but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your 
consciences. 


1Timothy 1:5  Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, 
and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 


1Timothy 1:19  Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put 
away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 


1Timothy 3:9  Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 


1Timothy 4:2  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared 
with a hot iron; 


2Timothy 1:3  I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure 
conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers 
night and day; 


Titus 1:15  Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled 
and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is 
defiled. 


Hebrews 9:9  Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were 
offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the 
service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 


Hebrews 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the 
eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from 
dead works to serve the living God? 


Hebrews 10:2  For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that 
the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 


Hebrews 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, 
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed 
with pure water. 


Hebrews 13:18  Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all 
things willing to live honestly. 


1Peter 2:19  For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God 
endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 


1Peter 3:16  Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, 
as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good 
conversation in Christ. 


1Peter 3:21  The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us 
(not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good 
conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 


Number of occurances of search: conscience  -  30.
1103.12CSC32::J_CHRISTIEUnquenchable fireWed Jun 28 1995 19:567
    Er...yes, I didn't mean to convey the impression in .10 that the
    selections were the only ones in which the term 'conscience' was
    used in the KJV, if I did.
    
    Shalom,
    Richard
    
1103.13CSLALL::HENDERSONLearning to leanWed Jun 28 1995 23:588

 Sorry.  Was your original note titled differently?




 Jim
1103.14CSC32::J_CHRISTIEUnquenchable fireThu Jun 29 1995 14:156
    It was originally entitled "Uses..." instead of the more specific
    "A few uses..."
    
    Shalom,
    Richard