does having a religion make you a better person in that it gives you a moral code forlife?

Question

compared to those that dont live by a religion

Answer 1

People already know the moral code because God has made it a part of our being.

Having religion answers many of those pesky yet all imortant "why" Q's we have in life. It gives us much information about God and ultimately gives us what we need to be saved!

Answer 2

It depends.

Let's start out by noting that there are many philosophical moralities that do not base themselves on religion, so religion does not have a monopoly on morality.

However, the question would be: is this religion's version of morality acceptable?

Let's see:

The Bible: you can stone your children if they disrespect you; you can sell your daughter into slavery if you need the money; you're an inherently evil person who needs a human sacrifice to redeem you.

The Qu'ran: non-believers aren't even human, and should be lied to and killed if they can not be forcefully converted; Allah is just, and will give you 40 virgins after you die and lose your physical body if you make a martyr of yourself.

These two religions love to spread a message of peace and love, but it simply isn't supported by the verses of their own Holy Books.

So no, having a religion does not make you a better person. In certain cases, it could make you a worse person.

Answer 3

People who do not believe in a religion still have ethics. Moral codes to a great degree are societal norms. Stealing, murdering, stealing lying are not societal norms. Ethics and morality were around long before organized religion. If they were not, nobody would be here on this earth today. I know plenty of atheists who have a better sense of morals than religious people I know. And all people have a conscience unless they are psychopathic. Have a great day!

Answer 4

No, it does not. Not living by a religion makes you accountable to yourself and the other human beings with whom you share this planet, not to a deity that may or may not exist. Although some people like to believe that non-believers are too self-centered to care about anyone but themselves, nothing could be further from the truth. The majority of the eminent scientists in the United States are non-believers. Do you really think that they don't care about their fellow human beings?

Morality does not come from religion, it comes from us, as social animals. It is our way of dealing with the large numbers of people with whom we share space, and for the most part, it is a way of avoiding being killed.

Answer 5

I have met people who profess to be religious but are a disgrace and I have also met confessed atheists with the most admirable ethics. Actions speak louder than words I say. Religion does not automatically make you morally upright but your actions speak volumes about your moral standing. I think religion and sectarianism is often confused and that's the grey area.

Answer 6

I don't live by a religion and I have morals. Tons of people have religions and break the laws of their dogma. It's called sin.

Answer 7

Would you go murder people for no reason unless some religion told you not to? If you answered yes then perhaps you need a psychiatrist more than a religion!

Answer 8

no it doesn't you don't necessarily have to be religious to have morals as that is usually instilled in each and every person since childhood all you have to do as an adult is use what was taught to you as a child and use your reason logic common sense and of course use empathy anyway i'm agnostic and i have morals so that doesn't mean anything so what i'm not religious what does that have to do with anything

Answer 9

No, because there are other moral codes that you can embrace. Even with religion, you can embrace multiple moral codes--for example, one can be a "Jewish authoritarian" or a "Christian libertarian" or a "Muslim liberal." Your environment--region, family, education--also provides moral codes.

Answer 10

I could have Jesus without the religion! Yes having Jesus Christ and the truth of God's word helps me allot in the morality department...