Ethic of consent

Christians seem to out of kilter with the rest of society. Issues such as same sex marriage, euthanasia and gambling raise the question- what's wrong with Christians?

To answer that we need to understand the dominant principle in modern day ethics- consent.

Now if there is no morality (only values), then it is unlikely that we will have a common ethical basis.
So it seems that we now have an agreed procedure:
                              If no third party is affected, the consent ethic is implemented.

It really is a procedural ethic of giving permission to do what you would like.

So what's the problem with this?
Let me share some:

1) Radical individualism
It nice that you have freedom to do what you want to do, but it also removes any communal obligations that you might have (remember, Kantian ethics are also void).

The ethic of consent remove the need to care for family members, volunteer at the local school or give to those in need.
The choice to do these actions engages another ethic.

2) Problem of akrasia (weakness of will)
The assumption is that you will choose what is best for you. But what if you don't (or can't)? Take dysmorphia (a person can't stop thinking about one or more perceived flaws with her appearance).
They could choose to consent to surgery, an eating disorder or removal of a limb.

We don't allow the ethic of consent to shape our actions because they don't know what is best for them.

3) Problem of environment
The ethic of consent is only concerned with the moment of decision. It doesn't consider background factors (ie abuse), cultural factors (peer-pressure) or power factors (ie doctor/ patient relationship).

4) There are virtues
In essence, Christians disagree with the ethic of consent being the primary guide to our actions because there is a way that thing are meant to work (a created order). We don't live in a world where people can hold their own values (ie terrorists). There is a way things work.

Does this help you understand where Christians differ?