Where are morality and ethics derived from in the first place?

Thanks IddiKlu for your response. You said "Morality and ethics developed from the greater survivability it gave to those practicing it". If it is what your opinion is, it means that every person has a different morality and ethics. But as we've found now, we actually have common morality and ethics from one place to another place. In other words, every society in the world has same or similar standard regarding the acceptable morality and ethics.

Actually no, the type of ethics and morality would be very close in different individuals (if they have it at all), as the genetic variation in the human race is only 0.1%. That means that we are 999/1000th alike. Scary, huh? But there are some that are not as subject to others influence as most. They are the thinkers, the atheists, the ones that don't follow every fad; that don't believe and scorn faith, because it is a suckers game. Already in Roman times it was accepted, that for every master there were 10 slaves. That also hasn't changed. Barnum and Bailey stated, there is a sucker born every minute and 10 to take him (her). Nothing seems to change... ;-)

Very interesting response! I like it! Shalom

Aussies2007, I can't understand the way of your thinking because you have already lived in a civilized and democratic country such as Australia. Don't you ever know that in a democratic country has already been performed a separation between State and Church? Church has nothing to do with the decisions of those governments. If you see what is happening today, it is not because those governments still don't want to upset the church. It is merely due to negative exploitation of religions in order to gain power over something. However, it doesn't mean that ALL religions are bad and the main cause. So, you should be able to differiantiate it. I don't know what your belief is. I respect your belief, anyway. But in my faith, I truly believe that Jesus is God itself. At this moment, I can't prove it but when the time is near, it will be revealed entirely. Because God wants to try us whether you believe in Him or not. He gives us a free will to choose. Mary, the mother of Jesus, had appeared many occasions in various countries and had performed some miracles. It is a sign of God that Christians shouldn't lose their faith.

One thing, Aussies2007. The bible was definitely not written by God. It was INSPIRED by God. So, do you know what is the difference between WRITTEN and INSPIRED?

Now, I am getting confused with your point of view. First, you said “Then the first governments took over from the church and retained those laws”. Later on, you told me that “We never did separate from the church. The church separated from us... because it refused to move with the times”. So, which one is your correct opinion? Did the first governments took over from the church? OR the church separated from the governments? If the correct one is the formerly one, it means that the church and the governments never separated. Of course, the church can’t move with the times because their standard moral and ethics are static. God’s words will remain forever –It means that the words won’t change. People are not God. My question to you now, are the people also better off if they are being FAR WAY to God?

Thanks for your response, Adoniah. But anyway, may I know what tribes you were talking about? And where were they located? What you've mentioned to me, I can call it as an instinct. When you're going to analyze the flock of birds or other animals (even wild animals such as tigers, lions, etc) closely, you'll notice that they also take care of their members and if a hunter "kill" one of them, I'm very sure that those tigers or lions will strike the hunter back. I've always believed that humans are basically animals in their basic nature. The only difference is that God has created and given to us rules that we should follow it and it will depend on ourselves whether or not we can curb such basic nature. Thus, I am not surprised about inquisitions and organized religions that slaughtered innocent people in the name of God as you said. People can slaughter others in the name of anything. In other words, humans can fight about anything and everything especially religions where one group has different things than another one. Example, people who are almost similar and/or identical genetic cells can not also agree with each other, right? Although I agree slightly with your statement -- "over the centuries morals and ethics have changed drastically too". But if you take a look closely, you'll find out that BASIC morals and ethics still exist. We do really know from time to time -- it is immoral to steal and this is mentioned in the 8th of Ten Commandments ("You shall not steal").

There is such a tribe in the movies "The Gods must be crazy" 1 and 2 Some of the funniest films ever made.

Aussies2007, Don't you know that film is often not based on reality?