Religion and Morality by Prospectus

Archduke2 · 2014-08-30 07:52:02

No, flatly no. nono

visverbi · 2013-05-14 14:18:13

I have to agree with Madd for this one.
Religion can't be equivalent to morality because, let's face it, when's the last time all religions have agreed on a moral issue?
Yes, religion can be a wonderful moral guide, as evidenced by the ten commandments, eightfold path and Dharma. Nevertheless; religion isn't the only moral guide available, and it has its share of problems.
One alternative moral guide is the golden rule. Remember your first-grade teacher telling you to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you"? Its a recurring theme in many belief systems, but religion isn't necesary to abide by it.

madd693 · 2013-04-25 04:37:51

@sankarmisra

why all of you are thinking that morality and religion is different... being moral is also one sort of religion, isnt it??

The short answer is no. And I can prove it.

Religions do not agree on what is or is not 'moral'.

Let's take adultery. The the dominant religions, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all address this in depth. All condemn the action as a sin hence the morality isn't in question, it is immoral.

But what of the punishment for committing the sin?

The Old Testament of the Bible and the Torah (the first 5 books of the Christian Old Testament) show that historically this sin (crime) was punished by stoning a female adulteress to death under early Jewish law. It is a reading of history, not a call to action. The Bible later gives explicit instruction on how to handle such a (crime) when Jesus stops such a stoning with the words "let he who is without sin cast the first stone". Today that sin (crime) isn't punished criminally at all in western (Christian) countries and the punishment in Israel is much less severe. It is a sign of changing moral codes over time.

Islam, however, still believes in capital punishment for that crime, including burying a woman to her chest and stoning her to death. A manner of death that even western countries that subscribe to capital punishment for some offenses would find completely reprehensible.

Bringing this full circle, what is the moral punishment for adultery? Is it the minimal/no punishment or the horrific stoning punishment? I guarantee you Jews and Christians have a far different answer to that than Muslim's do.

Clearly religion and morality are not one in the same unless you are going to make a judgement on which religion controls the moral high ground.

madd693 · 2013-04-25 04:07:26

Baseless question as 'morality' is determined by what is socially acceptable where you live. What is 'moral' in one country or locale isn't necessarily considered 'moral' in another. What is considered immoral by one person can be deemed justice by another.

Give any two random people from anywhere around the world, and regardless of religious affiliation, a list of 100 actions that could have a morality determination and ask them to mark each item as 'moral' or 'immoral' and I guarantee the answers will not be identical. It has nothing to do with their religion or lack of.

Where religion plays a role is that many/most societies take their moral cues from religious texts. But you don't have to be religious to acknowledge the value in doing so. For example, anyone who believes any of the Ten Commandments are immoral would definitely be in the minority regardless of if they are otherwise religious or not.

sankarmisra · 2013-02-26 16:50:58

why all of you are thinking that morality and religion is different... being moral is also one sort of religion, isnt it??... well i'm a hindu and i'm theist too... what my religion teaches that whatever you are doing or going to do, dont attach yourself or your desires with that... it never says that you have to worship god to become religious... the main theme is that your holiness lies within you.. that holiness is called morality by atheists..

NewAtheist · 2013-01-26 22:18:43

Religion can help and hinder morality. Overall though, I would say that the morality of an atheist is superior to that of a theist, as atheist don't need to have some Orwellian entity telling them what the do constantly, and God commits acts of murder, ritual sacrifice, child abuse etc. in the Bible, Torah, Qur'an and other holy books.

Prospectus · 2013-01-23 16:21:46

I think it is fair to say that " Morality is doing right, no matter what you are told. Religion on the other hand is doing what you are told, no matter what is right .

irishgenius · 2013-01-23 10:36:50

Well,If you look at the pro-life campaign,you see that religion can influence your morals in what way it sees fit.This sometimes does some good,for example,in the case of Martin Luther King and Gandhi.Both took their inspiration from Religion.But in case of my dear mother,it corrupts.She views Pornography as the "Devil's work" and seriously Questioning religion as blasphemy.Regarding your question,I think religious Influence is both a curse and a blessing,though it is more a curse than blessing.Religion is not necessary to lead a good and moral life.Infact,in some cases,leaving a faith can make you more of a good person who upholds his moral duties.

Prospectus · 2013-01-22 22:59:53

Is it necessary for an individual to be religious in order to be a moral person?
Can religion hinder moral decisions ?

#1 2014-08-30 07:52:02

Re: Religion and Morality

#2 2013-05-14 14:18:13

Re: Religion and Morality

#3 2013-04-25 04:37:51

Re: Religion and Morality

#4 2013-04-25 04:07:26

Re: Religion and Morality

#5 2013-02-26 16:50:58

Re: Religion and Morality

#6 2013-01-26 22:18:43

Re: Religion and Morality

#7 2013-01-23 16:21:46

Re: Religion and Morality

#8 2013-01-23 10:36:50

Re: Religion and Morality

#9 2013-01-22 22:59:53

Religion and Morality

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