Section D: 2.1 Changing attitudes to moral issues



The Enlightenment transformed the way people thought about various moral issues. As traditional forms of thought were challenged and a human rights culture emerged, interpretation of previously acceptable practices like war and capital punishment changed dramatically.


Pre-Enlightenment capital punishment is widely accepted as a legitimate means of dealing with serious crimes. It is seen as a form of self-defence, a means of society protecting itself against dangerous individuals.

After the Enlightenment, and more specifically the Reformation, there is a movement towards a much more forgiving attitude in Christianity. Jesus is gracious and forgiving towards the sinner (condemn the sin, forgive the sinner). Every human life has dignity, no matter what they do. Society has no right to take that life from them.

Attitudes to war have seen a similar transformation, with the religious justification, in the form the Just War Theory of Thomas Aquinas and Francisco Suarez, giving way to the post-Enlightenment culture of pacifism practiced by reformed churches e.g. Mennonites and Quakers.


Past Exam Question

Outline how an idea associated with the Enlightenment has influenced people’s understanding of what is right and wrong about one of the issues below: Capital Punishment, Child Labour, Slavery, War


One of the most emotive issues in public life at the moment is the issue of the death penalty, or capital punishment. This is a serious moral issue that divides opinion around the world. Does the State have the right to execute people who have committed very serious crimes?



Christian teaching for capital punishment


The attitude of various Christian groups has changed in relation to this issue over time. Some see passages in scripture as justification for the death penalty, e.g. “Whoever sheds the blood of a human, by a human shall that person’s blood be shed; for in his own image God made humankind.” (Genesis 9:6)

Self-defence has generally been accepted as a legitimate taking of life to protect one’s own life. The State’s right to execute those who are a threat to the common good is seen as an extension of the right to protect oneself against harm.

This idea is reinforced in Romans 13, which states, the ruler “does not bear the sword in vain; he is the servant of God to execute his wrath on the wrongdoer.” (Romans 13:1-7) So Christian thought could suggest that it is the duty of the State to administer capital punishment.

It is also argued that the death penalty serves as a deterrent and contributes to public order. “We assert concerning the power of the State that it is able to exercise a judgement of blood, without mortal sin, provided it proceed to inflict punishment, not in hate, but in judgement; not incaustiously, but after consideration.” Pope Innocent III (1160 – 1216)


Christian teaching against capital punishment


Many Christians now believe it is entirely wrong for the State to execute people. If we consider the ethical teaching of Jesus, it is clear that he doesn’t believe in ‘an eye for an eye’. Jesus is gracious and forgiving toward the sinner.

Popes and Christian leaders have often vigorously opposed the death penalty. In his letter on the Gospel of Life, Evangelium Vitae, Pope John Paul II defends the dignity of life, and condemns the lack of respect for human life. He acknowledges the growing desire among people to abolish the death penalty. He says that the only justification for the use of this extreme punishment would be if there was no other way to protect society.

So a clear change is evident – Christians now argue that a human person is entitled to life with dignity. That dignity always stays with the person, no matter what they do. Society never has the right to take that life from them.

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