Whether morality can exist independent of religious belief ?

Question

someone asked this question and I just don't know how to explain. So Please help, thanks

Answer 1

Of course it can. Many atheists are moral people.

And there are many religious people who are not moral.

Morality is based on one's humanity. Religion is based on one's spirituality. They can exist separately.

When morality is mixed with religious belief, anything can happen. It can lead to a false belief that one's morality is justified (Witch hunts, Crusades, Manifest destiny), or it can lead to a structure in which one's morality grows and improves. The difficulty is determining which is the case.

Answer 2

First of all this question implies that those who are non-religious need to be under some sort of "moral" scrutiny by those who are religious...which is a crock. This question is riddled with hidden agenda. This would be akin to asking; "can morality exist independent of NON-religious beliefs"?

Religion is not the bench mark for moral rules, only conventional rules...there's a big difference between the two. People are quite capable of intuitively
practicing morals without relying on religion. If people are unable to do this then they have some serious issues to work out. Additionally, folk from either group can behave immorally.

Answer 3

Morality can ONLY exist independent of religious belief. Belief that tells people they'll get a reward or avoid punishment for obeying is self-centered and not moral. Only morality that comes from a deep consideration of the human condition and the fact that we don't like it when we suffer is real...

Answer 4

I believe morality can exist independent of religious beliefs but what kind of morality will it be? Who's definition will fit the bill? Pseudo-morality? Based on the latest intellectual nirvana? Fickle feelings? Political agenda?

Answer 5

Absolutely, Morality and Religion are NOT mutually inclusive, anyone who has taken a college level ethics class can tell you that. Is it moral to blow oneself up along with others, Is it moral to use your position in the church to lie and live a hypocritical life? Isn't it Moral to help someone regardless of their beliefs?

Answer 6

Morality exists. So do religious beliefs. When the two clash.Follow your heart when making decisions.

Answer 7

i'm not religious and i'm not immoral, and i know morality can exist independent of religion.
morality is a standard set by each individual as well as collectively as a social set of morales.
every religion has a set of standards it places on it's followers as the morales of that faith, but you do not have to have a religion to have them. having a religion is certainly no guarantee of being moral either.

Answer 8

Yes it can. You teach a small child morality by teaching them empathy. If you tell a 4-yr-old that God doesn't want them to hit their brother, they will probably hit him anyway. We explain morality in terms of our interactions with each other, not a religious doctrine. "Don't hit because it hurts your brother." instead of "Don't hit because God said not to." Our polite behaviors and respect for the feelings of others comes from the recognition that they are like us, not from a religion.

Answer 9

Morals are rules devised by humans, who probably will not follow themselves, perhaps the true morality is amorality, then Ethics will take over.
Morals and ethics are rather like Law & Justice, the Law is about the definitive written rules, and Justice is about what is right and what is wrong.

Answer 10

Many many many Christians have told me that a sense of morality exists in all of us regardless of whether we believe in God or adhere to a religion. Is it easier to hear it from them?