religion CANNOT live without morality. But morality CAN live without religion...?

Question

do you agree with that?

Answer 1

Morality can live without religion. I am not religous yet I feel that I have strong morality

Answer 2

Morality CAN live without religion.= FALSE

There are people that have spirituality but no religion. They have a knowing of right and wrong, good and evil. But do not band together to form any religion or even cult.

When the people of a civilization start to question their own morality and rebel against the laws set forth by the government. That government is in jeopardy of failing. If that government fails then other stronger groups will endanger the way of life of the people within that area.

ROME
When the government confuses the people by changing the doctrines and laws of the land…. Caligula almost tore down Roman society by lacking morals and character that almost destroyed the population of Rome. Claudius replaced Caligula and made it Immoral to have sexual relations with the same sex. This in turn increased the population of Rome and started the rebuilding.

Ancient Egypt once believed in many gods. Once the Roman way of life was introduced to Egypt, the downfall was eminent. Even when Saanekht introduced different beliefs into Egypt and split from the status quo Egypt had a time of turmoil (about 17 years)… Horemheb Restored the gods of Egypt and order was restored for about 1500 years before Rome took over.

Everyone should notice by now that morality is always changing. Where once it was bad, now it is, well, all right, (not so much good), just all right…. Or sometimes even totally disbanded. Even today religions change their morality code.

Ever notice that people who have the same beliefs tend to be stronger in force? Why? There is strength in numbers. Look at gangs in the USA… Strength by numbers, one common belief. Morally wrong by popular standards? Yes, Tribalism? Yes. What is the only hope of defeating immoral acts? A stronger and more powerful group of people who outnumber those that believe the other group is wrong. Notice I did not say MORALLY right. Sometimes you can not defeat acts of violence or evil by being all pristine and good.

Usually when humans act immoral their group has a tendency to fall apart. For their laws or beliefs can not stand the test of time. They may last decades, but always fade. Example.. The Nazi’s, Jim Jones, Cannibalism….

As I said, MORALITY changes through the ages, So the only thing left is the religion. Since people with NO RELIGION lack a place to gather or believe in the same issues. They have no strength. They will be defeated and disband by the stronger force.

ONCE a group of people band together and form a hierarchy then a form of a religion occurs, even if it is a cult. AND people ONLY band together when they have the SAME beliefs. So, they have a morality code. Is the morality right? Only if they are the winners of the next great battle. For we ALL know that the winner gets to write the history……

Answer 3

This is true to a degree. The scriptures acknowledge at Romans 2:14, "For whenever people of the nations that do not have law do by nature the things of the law, these people, although not having law, are a law to themselves. 15 They are the very ones who demonstrate the matter of the law to be written in their hearts, while their conscience is bearing witness with them and, between their own thoughts, they are being accused or even excused." In other words, even the godless can live by (their own) moral code.

However, motives REALLY matter. Example: if a teen abstains from sex out of fear of contracting an STD, is this really a moral choice? You'd have to agree that it is not. But if a teen abstains from sex because God intended sex to be between a married couple, this takes moral integrity! Many atheists surely would not allow their teenagers to have premarital sex, whereas some professed "Christians" would. Here's a link to an article on biblical morals that you may really enjoy:

Answer 4

Sort of. Religion for the most part has its basis in morality. however what some people consiter moral may differ from what common sence would have you think. for example, muslum extremists belive that killing jews is moral even though that is out of the mainstreem of islam. also, the KKK has its roots in the christian religion, but i dont think Jesus would be down w/ lynchings and whatnot. Religion is a concrete word, just about everyone can say 'this is religion' and 'this is not religion' and there wouldnt be a debate about it. however morality isnt the same. and for the second part of your question, i agree that morality can live w/out religion. religion for the most part is directions to how to live a moral life, but there are very moral atheists who dont need a book to tell them to be nice.

Answer 5

Morality can most definitely live without religion. Even before "religion" became a cultural staple, groups of people followed strict moral and ethical codes. Consider very isolated "native" groups in existence today: while they may not follow what we would consider to be a religion (Christianity, Catholicism, Judaism, Taoism, etc.), they most definitely have their own moral and ethical ideals. Religion did not create morality, it just happens to be a very large proponent of religion.

Answer 6

"Now, all questions of morality contained in the spiritual, immutable law of every religion are logically right. If religion were contrary to logical reason then it would cease to be a religion and be merely a tradition. Religion and science are the two wings upon which man's intelligence can soar into the heights, with which the human soul can progress. It is not possible to fly with one wing alone! Should a man try to fly with the wing of religion alone he would quickly fall into the quagmire of superstition, whilst on the other hand, with the wing of science alone he would also make no progress, but fall into the despairing slough of materialism. All religions of the present day have fallen into superstitious practices, out of harmony alike with the true principles of the teaching they represent and with the scientific discoveries of the time. Many religious leaders have grown to think that the importance of religion lies mainly in the adherence to a collection of certain dogmas and the practice of rites and ceremonies! Those whose souls they profess to cure are taught to believe likewise, and these cling tenaciously to the outward forms, confusing them with the inward truth.

Now, these forms and rituals differ in the various churches and amongst the different sects, and even contradict one another; giving rise to discord, hatred, and disunion. The outcome of all this dissension is the belief of many cultured men that religion and science are contradictory terms, that religion needs no powers of reflection, and should in no wise be regulated by science, but must of necessity be opposed, the one to the other. The unfortunate effect of this is that science has drifted apart from religion, and religion has become a mere blind and more or less apathetic following of the precepts of certain religious teachers, who insist on their own favourite dogmas being accepted even when they are contrary to science. This is foolishness, for it is quite evident that science is the light, and, being so, religion truly so-called does not oppose knowledge.

We are familiar with the phrases 'Light and Darkness', 'Religion and Science'. But the religion which does not walk hand in hand with science is itself in the darkness of superstition and ignorance.

Much of the discord and disunion of the world is created by these man-made oppositions and contradictions. If religion were in harmony with science and they walked together, much of the hatred and bitterness now bringing misery to the human race would be at an end."

(Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 142)

Answer 7

Absolutely. Religion was formed and started and maintained by Men....and they are so prone to human frailties like greed, power, lust....they are judgmental, unforgiving, and intolerant. Look at the millions of men, women and children that have died in the last couple of thousand years all in the name of God, Allah, or Whatever...

There is a huge difference between Spirituality and Religion...you can have one without the other as well. I would rather raise my children with Spirituality than religion.

Answer 8

I think that there is just something inside of most of us that knows right from wrong. It isn't something that must be learned, it is intuitive. Religion is a form of teaching and practice. It shows us, according to our own personal beliefs, right from wrong. But if God's love is in your heart, then you don't need religion to tell you that it's real. if you are evil, no amount of religion will turn you around, so YES, i agree.

Answer 9

The scriptures tell us "man is evil and desperately wicked". Because of being born of a sinful nature we still fail in an attempt to be moral. In the eyes of man perhaps we can be seen as moral but in the heart of the individual you know you are not. In spite of our failings we can still be forgiven by Christ if we place our trust in Him.

Answer 10

Religion can live without morality. Witness the crusades, nazi germany, and al-qaida.

Morality can live without religion, because ethics is universal, regardless of culture/religion or lack thereof.