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Protestant ethics and values reflect their beliefs and practices. The values held by Protestants are similar to those held by Catholics, although Protestants on the more conservative end of the spectrum have values that are probably more like Catholics then do Protestants on the progressive end. These values include belief in the sanctity of human life, respect for human dignity, respect for creation, attitudes towards helping the poor and less fortunate, efforts to correct social injustices, emphasis on justice, compassion, forgiveness, peace, faithfulness, honesty and integrity, and the importance of hard work and independence. I now discuss each of these below.
Respect for Human Life
Most Protestant Christians believe that men and women are created in God’s image. Therefore, human life is considered precious and sacred, whether a person is young, old, healthy, sick, or disabled. From this belief comes mainline and conservative Protestant teachings concerning abortion, physician-assisted suicide / euthanasia, suicide, and the death penalty.
Abortion. The Protestant values regarding abortion will differ depending on the particular beliefs concerning the balance of views towards women’s rights (advocated by more progressive Protestant traditions) and views toward preserving life at all cost (advocated by Conservative or Evangelical Protestant traditions). The right of women over their own bodies is as strongly held by some Protestants as the right to life is held by other Protestants. Some Mainline, many Conservative, and most Fundamentalist and Evangelical traditions now support abortion only in cases where the mother’s life is in danger (or for some, in cases of rape). These Protestants defend their views based on Biblical scriptures, a few which follow here:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth I consecrated you” (Jeremiah (1:5)
“My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth” (Psalm 22:10-11)
“For so many marvels I thank you; a wonder am I, and all your works are wonders. You knew me through and through, my being held no secrets from you, when I was being formed in secret, textured in the depths of the earth. Your eyes could see my embryo. In your book all my days were inscribed, every one that was fixed is there” (Psalm 139:14-16).
Physician-Assisted Suicide or Euthanasia. Most Protestant Christians believe in the 6th commandment, “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13), and maintain that those who are weak, sick, or whose cognitive state has been adversely affected by illness still have a right to life, which only God has the power to end. Sometimes efforts to relieve suffering may end up causing death, but the intention should never be to cause death. On the other hand, some progressive Protestants may believe that assisted suicide may be ethical in special cases where suffering is severe and cannot be relieved.
Suicide. The commandment “Thou shalt not kill” also applies to killing oneself. However, Protestant Christians may be more lenient than Catholic Christians in this regard. Emile Durkheim, the founder of modern sociology, observed in 1897 that suicide was more common in Protestants than Catholics, arguing that there was greater “social control” and social integration among Catholics than Protestants. Recent findings appear to confirm these earlier reports, although emphasise the role that Catholic theology has played (see VanderWeele et al., 2016, and Koenig, 2016). Catholics for years (until recent times) believed that suicide was a “mortal sin” that eternally separate one from God and destined the person to spend eternity in hell. Most Protestants, in contrast, do not grade sins as Catholics do, and do they believe in mortal sins. These views may influence the suicide threshold in vulnerable individuals.
Death Penalty. Protestant Christians vary widely on their views concerning the death penalty. those on the more conservative or fundamentalist end of the spectrum tend to favour it (despite strong belief in the sanctity of human life), more so than those on the progressive or liberal end of the spectrum. Issues related to justice, forgiveness, and potential for rehabilitation all come into play in deciding for or against this practice. Most Protestant or Catholic denominations oppose the death penalty in most cases, unless the crime is so heinous and the criminal so unrepentant that the person in unredeemable (most Christians, though, don’t believe anyone is beyond the love of God). Protestants, like Catholics, believe that the punishment must be proportional to the crime committed, and the death penalty is only appropriate if the guilty party’s identity and responsibility are fully determined.
Respect for Human Dignity
This value, related to respect for human life, includes the belief that all people are unique, have something to offer, and have infinite worth and value to their Creator. This leads to efforts to defend human rights whenever they are being violated, and is an especially important value among many Protestants who adhere to the “Social Gospel.” In the 20th Century, a group of Protestant clergy sought to rid the world poverty, unequal civil rights, and other social evils by preaching a social gospel (see Rauschenbusch, 1917). However, Protestants vary widely in their views concerning how much effort should be made towards correcting social injustices, as opposed to converting unbelievers and spreading the gospel message. Progressive/liberal Protestant denominations are more likely to stress a social gospel, which means that efforts should not only be directed towards evangelism and conversion, but also toward social reform. In these traditions, social reform may be given priority over evangelism. This view is one of many reasons for categorising Protestants as conservative, moderate, or progressive/liberal (which tend to follow political lines as well). Bear in mind, again, that these statements are generalisations that have many exceptions.
Responsibility for Creation
Many Protestants, particularly those on the progressive end of the spectrum, value the natural world’s beauty and feel responsible for being a good steward of that beauty. Thus, they advocate for initiatives that preserve the environment for future generations, and promote concern for issues such as global warming, preservation of the natural environment through parks and recreation areas, and ensuring clean water and air. In the beginning, God put humans in charge of taking care of his amazing creation: “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:28)
Justice and Respect for the Law
Justice means respecting each other’s rights with a desire to establishing harmony and equal treatment of all, including caring for those who are vulnerable. One source for these views is Leviticus 19:15: “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgement: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.” Justice includes obeying the laws of the land as established by the government: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation” (Romans 13:1-2).
Love and Compassion
Protestant Christians value the second Great Commandment: “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:39). According to John 13:34-35, when Protestant Christians show love like this they let others know that they are followers of Jesus: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Jesus goes further still by telling his disciples that they should also love their enemies and even those who hurt them (Luke 6:27-32). Showing respect, compassion, and sensitivity to the weak and needy is another way that Protestants show that they are followers of Jesus, and when they treat others in this way, the Bible says they are essentially caring for Jesus himself:
“For I was hungry, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and look thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them. Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:35-40).
Service
Because of the high value placed on compassion and love, Protestant Christians believe that they have been “called” by God to serve others. As faith-based organisations, many Protestant denominations (and individual local congregations) provide care for the hungry and the poor, run soup kitchens, operate shelters for the homeless, maintain clothing stores and food pantries, and respond when disasters strike communities in the U.S. and around the world. For a listing of organisations and services that Protestant faith-based groups provide, see two white papers (now books) produced for the White House Office of Faith-based Initiatives (Koenig, 2004; 2006).
Forgiveness
Protestant Christians believe in forgiveness of others because of what Jesus said in many places in the Gospels, but particularly in the Lord’s Prayer: “forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us” (Mathew 6:12-15). Unless they forgive others, Protestant Christians believe that God will not forgive them. Protestants also believe that holding a grudge is incompatible with being one of his followers, as indicated in Matthew 5:21-24: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgement.” But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, “You fool!” will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your bother, and then come and offer your gift.” The high value that Protestant Christians place on the Bible makes it hard to ignore these sacred passages voiced by the person whose name they are called by.
Peace
Jesus emphasises that those who follow his teachings will experience peace: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace” (John 16:33). He also refers to those who make peace with others as blessed: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). He is referred to as the “Prince of Peace” in Isaiah 9:6. Thus, anger and conflict are not condoned in the New Testament, except in rare instances to illustrate a point or to defend moral principles. For example, Jesus said “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law” (Matthew 10:34-36). This was said to remind his followers that they would be persecuted for their beliefs by others, sometimes even those in their own household. Jesus also “cursed” a fig tree (Matthew 21:18-22), which was an illustration of the Pharisees who were not producing fruit that was expected of them. He also got physically violent with those who were not respecting God’s house (Matthew 21:12), representing a righteous type of anger necessary to oppose the manipulation of sacred places for self-gain. Thus, Protestant Christians believe that peace should be the rule, although there are exceptions.
Faithfulness
Protestants, like Catholics, value relationships that are based on trust and loyalty, especially when applied to marital fidelity, but also in relationships with other family members, friends, and co-workers more generally. As noted earlier, Protestants believe in the sanctity of marriage and do not condone adultery in any form (including pornography, based on Matthew 5:28). Being faithful means doing what one says one will do, i.e., being responsible for tasks that one is entrusted with. Protestants believe this includes being faithful in terms of serving the local church.
Honesty and Integrity
Finally, Protestant Christians value being truthful, not holding secrets that might harm other persons or relationships, and not saying hurtful things about others behind their backs. This applies to institutions as well as individuals, and is a value that flows naturally from the second Great Commandment, i.e., to love neighbour as self and to treat others as one wishes to be treated (see love and compassion above).
Work Ethic
Finally, much has been written about the “Protestant work ethic” that distinguishes this Protestant value from that of other faith groups (Furnham, 1984). The work ethic describes a philosophy of life that emphasises hard work, self-discipline, and frugality. These are characteristics that many of those in the U.S. (which started out and remains largely Protestant) claim with pride and attribute their own and their nation’s economic success to. Many Protestants hold these principles in high regard, along with being independent and self-sufficient. While considered a positive value in many cases, however, there are also situations (such as unemployment) when the Protestant ethic may be associated with poor mental health outcomes (Ezzy, 1993).
As noted earlier, Protestants and Catholics share these Christian values. Many of the values above, if practiced and held to, will impact mental and social health in a variety of ways. I now speculate on some of those ways in the next chapter.