Approaching the West — Page 106
A pproaching the West—106 mind. It is thought to be an intuitive feeling that surges up when a moral error is made, and creates remorse in the heart. Conscience has been called the nerve-center of the soul. Others consider it as judgment of reason which is nourished in the mind since childhood. A good family and healthy social environment may play a crucial role in implanting the seed of “good” or “clear” conscience. Paul believed that even the most backward had a conscience and he justified non-observance of some of the Mosaic laws by appealing to the conscience of the new converts. He substitutes some of the Jewish laws with what is ‘written in their hearts, their conscience’ (Romans 2:15). He laid down the rule that a man should follow his own conscience; to go against the conscience is sin. Making an appeal to human conscience, however, may become risky, and Paul knew that ‘The conscience of him who was weak’ would make him commit sinful acts. If the men of knowledge were not careful in their behavior, they could easily mislead others, and ‘wound their weak conscience’ (1 Cor. 8:10-12). The nature of conscience is itself a controversial subject among psychologists and religious leaders. If individual ‘conscience’ is left to be the only touchstone to determine what is morally correct, and what is sinful, then its practical implications may bear conflicting results. It is not only that some are with ‘weaker conscience’ than the others are; it is also a fact that some consciences are ‘evil’ and ‘corrupted;’ and some are ‘dead’! A conscience which is not fully developed can make wrong choices. If it is not an innate faculty, then it could easily become a mental trait produced by social learning; and it will vary drastically among