Is there a relationship between theistic devotion and morality?

Question

The 3 least moral individuals in my workplace include a devout, Muslim, a devout Catholic and a devout Hindu.

The three most moral individuals are an atheist, a Jew and a Baptist.

I think there is zero correlation between religious devotion and morality. What has been your experience?

Answer 1

You are absolutely right .A Theistic devotee can be a scoundrel--An Atheist can be a very honest person.A self proclaimed Theistic Hindu Brahmin devotee - a liar,scroundrel has ruined my life and I am leading a deadman's life now and that fellow,a womaniser even at the age of 75 is very well of now.!!!.

Answer 2

How are you? You might have an element of "sensitivity" here. We are all wired differently. Paul says it offends someone or causes them to stumble, don't do it. That can go from eating meat on Fridays to taking drugs, I suppose. I am a little offended by some of the mocking on the Simpsons, some is misguided but some is funny because it is accurate. (You never know what you'll get, like much of the media). Christians can, I think, be too sensitive or prudish at at times, but I would almost rather see that than the run away immorality, desensitization, all around us. We have a society that thinks celebrities can speak for us and be our leaders as well... we are enamored with many of the wrong things. The defining criteria, I think, is God's perspective on things, not man's.

Answer 3

Morality is relative, but there are some things society agrees are to be treated as morality:
Murder is bad
Stealing is usually bad
Molestation or personal defilement is bad

among a few others. We don't need religion to tell us these things, we simply need to ask if we would want those things done to us. The Golden Rule is a universal concept that exists in pretty much every culture, regardless of what else the religions teach. So no, we don't need religion for morality.

Answer 4

If you didn't notice, America's morals are determined by the word of God, but lately, people are trying to change that.

For example, in 1963 prayer was illegalized in public schools. Since then:

Violent crime has increased 554%
Over 30,000,000 legalized abortions
First 12 years after, STD increased by 226%
Divorce increased 300% each year for the next 15 years
Girls between 10-14 pregnancies are up 553%
Unmarried people living together up 353%
In 2003, there were over 350 murders at secular schools.
Drug and alcohol addictions are problems for millions of Americans

Answer 5

There is actually an inverse correlation between thiestic devotion and morality. The United States is one of teh most devout Western societies, and it is also plauged by the highest crime rates, especially violent crime. Here is an article:
http://www.skeptic.com/the_magazine/featured_articles/v12n03_are_religious_societies_healthier.html

Answer 6

I can only answer for myself - my morals, ethics and values have direct correlation between my sincere desire to live a life that God would have me live. Yes I fail, but there are some things in my life that I will not compromise, and when I fail, I usually try all the harder next time.

Answer 7

I'm a devout atheist...and I can testify I've never done drugs, killed anyone, or been charged for any criminal offence but according to FBI statistics the vast majority of these offences are commited by christians...whether you agree they are or not.

Answer 8

If you look at the prison population there might be an inverse-relationship, but who knows. Morality was around long before religion.

Answer 9

People are weak,and we all are, but without God there would be no objective right or wrong , no morality.