Can morality be dictated by something OTHER than religion?

Question

Please think about your answer before posting it, thanks.

Answer 1

Yes, especailly if morality is a human construct and thus subjective. In that case it's quite obvious that the emotions generated by cognition drive morality in humans.

As for an Objective Morality, take a look at this:

Desire Utilitarianism:

http://www.infidelguy.com/members/AlonzoFyfe/article_du.shtml

PS: And If your REALLY interested in this moral system, Alonzo offers an entire online book on it.

If I recall correctly, he made his Doctorate Thesis on Desire Utilitarianism.

http://www.infidelguy.com/members/AlonzoFyfe/desire_utilitarianism.shtml

Answer 2

Yes morality is dictated by God. He gave us the 10 commandments and a conscience to tell us when we break His laws.

The reason we need a substitute (a savior) to pay our moral "fine," is because we have broken God's Law. To see how much we have transgressed this Law (the Ten Commandments), we will go through some of them -- Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen something? Have you ever lusted after another person? If you answered "Yes" to these questions, you admit that you are a lying, thieving, adulterer at heart, and you have to face God on Judgment Day! If you have used His name in vain, then you are guilty of "blasphemy" -- you've substituted God's holy Name for a curse word. Perhaps you've hated someone, then the Bible says that you are a murderer. You have violated God's holy Law, and you're in BIG trouble. On Judgment Day, you will be found guilty and end up in Hell. That's why you need the Savior. Merely being sorry for your sins, or confessing them to God won't help you. You must turn from sin (repent), and your faith must be in Jesus Christ alone. He is the only "grounds" for God to grant mercy towards you. If you're not sure of your salvation, make Psalm 51 your own prayer.

Answer 3

The fact that all people of all cultures have tended to have incredibly similar moral codes, regardless of religion, seems to indicate that morality is something ingrained in our hearts, rather than externally infringed upon us by a codified religion. The religion serves to encapsulate and concretise what already exists in the heart (and even, sometimes, to raise our personal standard). But that morality functions without religion is seen in the "good" atheist, who cares about his fellow person and knows that stealing and killing are wrong and love and faithfulness are virtuous, despite claiming to not have religion.

In fact, this universal morality is itself a proof for the existence of an ultimate Lawgiver, God, who created us with an inate awareness of His morality. In that sense, morality leads to religion, not the other way around.

Answer 4

yes, because morality in truth is dictated by man. religion is a creation of man. man created and defined religion and its structure, not god. something like the government, also created by man, could also dictate morality. but they chose not to do it this way.
people can understand/accept morality easier if they think it is coming from god. if they thought it came from the government, they would question it much more. for example, the constitution is always under attack. the bible/the church is under attack as well, but in a different way. and either way it is harder to change anything about the church because the authorities of the church can just say god meant for it to be this way. who can argue with that?

Answer 5

Yes, morality does not have to be religious. What is good and bad for human beings is built into each person. Some behaviors lead to a bad end and are destructive to society and individuals without a religion saying so.

Answer 6

Morality defines the actions of human beings as good or bad. No human or group of humans can therefore author a moral standard. For a moral standard to have a shred of legitimacy, it must come from something or someone higher than human beings.

Answer 7

yes, morality can be lifted by many different things. it really depends on what an individual finds value in. for someone who finds value in honor. then holding yourself to a code of conduct even if its unprofitable to you might raise that person's morality.

Answer 8

Society have been adapting a "what works and what doesn't" policy, until recently, mankind was moving forward in that area until the new "racism of religion" reared its stupid head , again.

Answer 9

yes, logic. if whats good for the goose is good for the gander then we should do unto others as we would have them do unto us. from this we can get a very good system of morality, with more logic, but i dont want to get into it

Answer 10

Yah...yo momma can dictate it.... so said Wil Valderama