a question on morality...?

Question

do you think morality is determined more by what benefits a society most or by a list of rules given to us by god? why?

j. i asked which is more. so yes it is an either/or question...

Answer 1

The establishment of morals, norms, or ethics is strictly a societal construct. Civilizations had their sets of morals long before any religion. Even now the morals of say a christian society in the US can be totally different than a aborigine society in Australia. Why? Didn't this god give everyone morals? Obviously morals are constructed and agreed upon by societies.

Answer 2

That's a pretty easy answer seeing that god does not exist.
However morality isn't necessarily determined by benefiting society, since morality may be determined by tradition based on religious dogma.
For example public nudity is often considered immoral in American society. Though there is no really good reason for this rule other than to protect oneself from adverse weather, the act of wearing clothing in hot climates can have detrimental effects on both the human body and society itself, but it is still considered immoral based on religious beliefs.

Answer 3

I believe in many things, and one is not to be litterel about anything, the rules of God(capital when reffering to him)they were not designed to be lived by, but were designed to make you a better person, so you see, The Commandments, are a benefit to society. If you dont believe in Christ, then morality for you is determined on benefits of society, and if you do, it is the rules by which God suggested we live by. It takes some thinking for either.

Answer 4

for the most parta i think they are one in the same. in the old test like in deutoronomy - wow nothing but do this, don't do that, but if you really look at what God is warning, it is some really basic stuff that holds true today. Like this one: don't put new wine in an old wineskin. that's an obvious one. it will probably blow up over the top as it ferments, leaving you with either no wine or sour vinegar. Did God make new wine just so it wouldn't go in an old wineskin? no. but he knew the consequences if we decided to try it. thats what I believe all the "Law" were about. things that were for our own beneift to know, even though none of us could actually keep the law - God wanted to show us that there are consequences in everything we do - that's why he tried to warn us. but we're just plain folks and aren't perfect, so we need a redeemer.

Answer 5

A little of both, I think. The religious rules gave us a framework to build upon, the society determines what is built in the end, in a manner of speaking.

Answer 6

Morality has nothing to do with God or religion. Many people that have never heard of God often have better "moral values" than many that claim to have an 'intimate relationship' with God / Jesus.

Answer 7

i don't know of any moral rule given by God that doesn't benefit a society. His legal code is pretty much as good as it gets for a society, and if not, tell me a society that benefits from killers, thieves, adulterers, liars, jealousy, hatred and selfishness. i don't think you can!

good question though i guess!

Answer 8

for society and the reason is that bak in the day people needed to belive in something smart people took advatage of that and made rules like if you kill you go to hell and if you worship other gods you go to hell so that no one would leave the religion and stick to the laws and people would do that so they would burn in eternal flames(or so they tought)

Answer 9

Gods law is perfect. Man only distorts that which is perfect. Paul calls it "the perfect law of liberty".
Man changes things to suit his own agenda.

Answer 10

Both. This is not an either or question.