Are people of other religions capable of moral behavior? What about followers of religions that have no god, such as Buddhism? What about atheists, deists, and agnostics?
How can someone behave morally if they're not afraid of being sent to Hell for their immoral behavior? Is there any purely evolutionary reason for mankind to have developed morals?
2006-06-27 12:34:44 · 38 answers · asked by magistra_linguae 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Whoa, calm down there. Who said I assumed you have to believe in god to be moral? Have you never heard of someone playing devil's advocate? And incidentally, for those of you who don't know, "devil's advocate" is a term used to describe someone who takes the opposite point of view in a debate. It has nothing whatsoever to do with being immoral.
2006-06-27 12:44:57 · update #1
I actually asked (and answered) a very similar question shortly after I became a regular in YA. Notwithstanding the shrieks of hysterical fundamentalist religious types, I've long since concluded that a person can of course lead an entirely moral, ethical and scrupulous life with absolutely zero religious beliefs (whether Christian or otherwise).
This is not to suggest that Christians and members of other religious denominations cannot do the same, but they're generally the ones who would have us believe that a Godless life is an irredeemable heathen life. Rubbish!
Some background... I was baptized Roman Catholic, went to a Catholic grade school and even served as an altar boy (setting a record for being the youngest ever in my parish in the process). I renounced Catholicism, indeed all religion, as soon as I was old enough to better understand the real world my church wished to conceal from me with lies, half-truths, faerie stories and good old-fashioned scare tactics. Oh, how I miss religion -- NOT!
Getting back to the thrust of your question, I lead an exceedingly moral life (by anyone's objective standards). Indeed, some close friends and family members have gone so far as to dub me "Puritan" (deliberate irony, that) because of my strong moral stands on issues regarding sexual relations, pornography, blue humour, et al. Although extremely tolerant of others' behaviour, I adhere to a rather strict moral code (specifically codes of Chivalry and Honour) that are unshakable and completely irreligious.
I know not if evolutionary factors have played a role in why I am the way I am, but God and religion don't enter into it at all (I am Agnostic, btw). I sincerely believe that a goodly, honest and moral human being can behave so without any religious influence whatever. I'll not even waste your time by arguing the counterpoint concerning all the highly religious -- even pious -- figures who've turned out to have feet of clay. It is self-evident and entirely known to anyone with a rudimentary education and knowledge of news and current events.
Oh, and for the record, I believe in neither heaven nor hell. So I have neither fear nor favour in either direction. Honestly, how pathetic and sad is it to have to admit that the only reason a person steers a moral and decent course in life is out of fear of the consequences if one does not?
No thanks. I have no need of sanctimonious pulpit thumpers, dogmatic hypocrites and worse telling me how to live. I am content with the person I am and the moral code by which I live my life. Full stop.
2006-06-27 15:42:24 · answer #1 · answered by MacSteed 7 · 25⤊ 15⤋
Others can have good morals, but maybe, just maybe, there are good people out there that God is working on to bring to salvation. We have to start somewhere. We are not born Christians, we make a choice to have faith and follow Christ Jesus. All have original sin. For those possibly in the works ... remember, good deeds alone does not grant you salvation. Salvation is only through Jesus Christ and the blood he shed on the cross.
As a Christian, one should set the example so that others can see. Why do you think Jesus came? To save the sinners, not the righteous. He said this himself. Be a follower of Christ not like the Pharisees.
I had morals prior to becoming a Christian, I did good things for people and was as helpful as I could be to others. What I lacked was knowing the purpose of why I did these things and that I have a God that truly loves me. I also lacked salvation through Christ. I will say that my morals have increased since I became a Christian. Although I was a good person, I also had many faults. I still do, but now I also have Christ making me better everyday. A Christian is not perfect here on earth, only striving to be perfect.
2006-06-27 12:55:19 · answer #2 · answered by Gardener for God(dmd) 7 · 1⤊ 5⤋
You sound young so I'll answer with love. You do not have to be a Christian to be moral. Christians are judgemental of others that is not moral. Christions think they are superior, that is not moral. Morality are rules to live by not a Christian concept.
There are many moral people in all religions and with no religion.
2006-06-27 12:41:22 · answer #3 · answered by olderandwiser 4 · 2⤊ 4⤋
Society gives the boundaries. You can't have murderer's running loose in society, or you won't have a society left. Of course people outside of religion(s) can be moral, if not More moral than those who are highly religious. Fanatics of a religion do not shrug at killing people outside of their religion (physically or emotionally) even when their religion condemns such actions. Basically because the fanatics see it as they are doing their God's will.
A religion sets down a system for it's followers to follow... which doesn't always work. But that doesn't mean those outside of that religion do not have morals.
2006-06-27 12:57:58 · answer #4 · answered by Kithy 6 · 2⤊ 4⤋
Well really I just think its human nature. Everyone has some good and some bad in them. Im a Christian but hardly any of my friends are. Some are atheist and some are agnostic but they're all decent people. Being a Christian isnt a requirement to be my friend, ya just cant be a d*ck.
I just asked one of my agnostic friends why he has morals if he doesnt believe in heaven or hell and he said because enough bad stuff happens to us anyway and when you DO bad things even more happens so why bother? And, its just not fun to be a psychopath.
2006-06-27 12:45:23 · answer #5 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 1⤊ 5⤋
Why should you only not do bad things because of a fear of hell? Why not avoid doing them because they are bad?
Of course non-christians have morals. In fact, many non-christians have much higher morals than christians do because they have a sense of right & wrong - it's not dependant on what some clergyman told them God thinks.
2006-06-27 12:40:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
Great question! Morals originate from God therefore it's possible only if they were brought in religion or beliefs in God which I believe some parents or surroundings taught morality but some Non-believers won't admit to this!
2006-06-27 12:42:14 · answer #7 · answered by Pashur 7 · 1⤊ 5⤋
Morals are at the basics of all social order--they are not exclusive to the Christian faith--morals are those understood values that span over cultures--religions--and creeds and forms a mutual understanding across those devides for the human race to gauge its dealings with and among the peoples of the world---and believe it or not---one does not have to have a hard edged motivator for the implementation of these values into their life--a sincere desire to do the right thing is all that is needed---although there is much to be said for those who DO need a motivator in that every culture has a way with dealing with people who are overtly immoral--and those ways can include prison--forfeture of assets --public humiliation etc etc etc--so one does not have to have a HELL to shun in order to have motivation to seek and incorporate morals
2006-06-27 12:47:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
My morals are based on my humanities. I believe in certain ideas because I believe they are best for mankind. I don't need a God to tell me that killing another person is wrong. I didn't believe in senseless murder before I knew it was in the religious books. It is the mind frame of better helping fellow man that allows most non-religious to follow some form of moral code.
2006-06-27 13:02:24 · answer #9 · answered by Majixion 2 · 2⤊ 4⤋
I believe its posSOble for non Christians to have morals. When you are taught as a child the difference between right and wrong ,you have a guideline to pattern your life after. You may not choose to become a Christian, but want to stay out of trouble and not hurt anyone. The children today are often not taught right from wrong and no absolutes, si it is harder for the teens and young adults to be moral. When God and the ten commandments were taken out of school, it hurt a lot of young people who would have learned about right and wrong.
2006-06-27 12:42:12 · answer #10 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 5⤋
Are you serious? So if you are a Christian, you have morals and no one else does? How many Christians do you know that eat pork, have sex before marriage, curse, drink, JUDGE OTHERS, divorce and uses Gods name in vain? You don't have to fear hell to be good. It seems like you live your life and religion on fear. You are supposed to do the right thing because it is the thing to do. Buddism does have a higher power God they call it Budda! People should treat others they want to be treated and their families. Thats the power of God!!
2006-06-27 12:45:57 · answer #11 · answered by Nuray 2 · 2⤊ 4⤋