Morality & Religion
By lenkajyoti
@lenkajyoti (249)
India
5 responses
@ShardAerliss (1488)
•
13 May 08
Well, I know answers are going to be polarised on this one!
In an ideal world we would not need secular laws, but we do. Some people are just incapable of making the 'right' decisions, so the government makes laws and creates punishments to try to stop people harming others (well, that's what they SHOULD do).
That is what much of most religion boils down to; laws to protect society against those who are incapable of making the 'right' decisions. Unfortunately many of these 'laws' are ancient and no longer stand up to what society expects of people.
Morality can be gained without religion. And it has just as much of a leg to stand on. Where do people think the religious laws came from? The thoughts and philosophies of the original writers, who were forming the religions.
1 person likes this
@tthom64 (535)
• United States
14 May 08
I think that people get their morals from somewhere. Most get them through religion or parental upbringing, but some get their morals just from life's lessons and observations of what they believe to be right and wrong. However, without a fairly common belief in a higher power of some sort, I believe that societies' morals will decay into every man for himself because if we all agree that we can decide our own morals, without appeal to a higher authority, some will see no need for charity and good will. Kind of the Lord of the Flies thing.
@tthom64 (535)
• United States
15 May 08
I think oftentimes it IS "society as a whole" that dictates our morals. However, many societies have adopted practices that we now think are very immoral. Take the polygamist group thing going on now. Without appeal to a higher authority like God, who gets to say how many wives is all right or how young girls should get married. Societies morals are always changing. When I was a child, it was seen as very immoral to be homosexual, now not so much. Because society is just made up of people, one supposedly equal to another, who is anybody else to tell me what to do? Societies morals are fleeting and changing.
Muslim women (and I'm generalizing here to make a point) are told it is right to cover themselves from head to toe in order not to tempt man, here in America, you're good to go as long as you're wearing three little triagles. Unfortunately in this global world, we can't isolate each society. So which is right? And is having it your way worth fighting for?
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
13 May 08
I think that morality is just the word that religious types have coined, to mean "common sense," or "common courtesy."
Concious needs not be associated with religion. A truly good person can be of any religion. Good is the person who doesn't harm another, and who treats everyone and everything with respect. "Morality" is the term that religious folks use to label others "she's morla, he's immoral, that's moral, that's immoral..." It's all "human made." Religion is a muman-made concept used to keep people in line.
TRUE SPIRITUALITY is beyond human design.
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
13 May 08
Morality without religion has no leg to stand upon
Just to make sure I'm understanding you right..Are you asking if ppl can't be moral beings WITHOUT religion in their lives?? IF thats what you are saying then I have to wholeheartedly DISAGREE...Morals and religion THOUGH they can compliment each other DO NOT have to go hand in hand by any means...A person can be VERY moral WITHOUT being the least bit religious..
