Is the world getting more moral as it becomes less superstitious?

Question

The United States was certainly founded on philosophy and reason. For the founding fathers, superstition was not allowed to justify things like "divine" kings or cruel and unusual punishments like inquisitions.

Answer 1

I think this is a good question. However, I have to say that morality is relative. After all, I would agree with your assessment that reason would lead people to not be superstitious and to not engage in such things as witch hunts, for example. That being said, though, a lot of religious conservatives have a different idea of morality than we do and would argue that a lack of emphasis on religion, which many equate with superstition, has led people to become more immoral.

Answer 2

A more moral world? When? Now!? This world is becoming more and more immoral. I am not sure of your reasoning. Maybe you could explain in a little more detail why you feel the way you do.

Now we just have ignorance without superstition. Just as dangerous.

Answer 3

The founding fathers confirmed petition with the first amendment, which was a religious ritual before a majority way of changing injustice laws. Petition is praying, so silent prayer in public places is protected by the U.S. Constitution and it cannot change. Petition in school allows students to maintain character and integrity as long as the students aren't forcing their belief on others respecting the schools' rules, http://www.voteprimous.com

Answer 4

When morality is enforced in places like Q&A to the point that one spelling of a particular word can get your account deleted while another spelling of the very same word goes unnoticed I'd have to say its really becomming less moral.

Answer 5

YES....and sadly, no.

I am very pleased to see that another views morality as its own concept completely indipendent of religious overtones.

I see in society some resurgence of moral behavior, but there is also a great force out there that refuse to acknowledge that moral behavior can be considered anything but religious behavior.

Because of this confustion, we have now and throughout history wars and conflicts based upon religious morality.

Millions have died "defending" the faith based upon whatever faith dictates your behavior as moral or not.

Such a clutching grasp on the concept and practice of morality by religion allows religions to shape behavior ordinarily considered as abhorent into behavior justified by emotional definitions of morality.

Islamic fascist use this concept tremendously in their recruitment.

But morality and moral behavior should be part of everyday life regardless of religious affiliation.

Answer 6

I believe the world becomes more moral as we become less superstitious. However, I think during the last few years America has increasingly turned away from science and toward religious fundamentalism. That includes rejecting scientific consensus beliefs on evolution, the big bang, and even global warming and instead favoring what their preachers and pundits told them.

I remember there was this one con on this board who just had complete contempt for scientists and their ideas. People on the right don't respect science anymore especially if it conflicts with their established religious/political beliefs.

Answer 7

So, then, if you say that it is religion that causes immorality, then are you saying that Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot were moral people, and that their murder of significant portions of their populations was a moral thing to do?

Based on your argument, it MUST be so.

Or are you arguing that since morals are really defined by the religious, that once you eliminate the basis of morality, then more and more things stop being immoral. Like homosexual sex, sodomy, bastardy, etc.

IMO, all this simplistic attack on religion and faith is without merit. It isn't based on fact.

Answer 8

Some would say that belief in "global warming" is a superstition, and that taxing people using it as an excuse is immoral.

PS Ironic that you ask this on the anniversary of MLK's death. Wasn't he "superstitious," in your estimation?

Answer 9

-I'm no believer, but I wonder about the world becoming more moral; Rwanda, Somalia, and Cambodia come quickly to mind.
-I'd have to say the triumph of reason over faith has help the Western World, and my one day improve all of the world.

Answer 10

I believe it is yes. There is ample evidence of it in the secular wealthy democracies. They are less war like, more socially conscious and have far less violent crime and health issues.