Is RELIGION the ONLY reliable SOURCE of MORALITY?

Question

Many religious people argue that we need religion for our morals, but is religion the only source of morality?

Answer 1

No it is not but mostly our parents brought us up in religion as our moral guide. There are people who have no religion at all all and they well brought up by their parents in their beliefs besides religion.

Answer 2

Old religions are a poor source, although they are the most popular source. It doesnt look like they have done a great job if you ask me.

All religion is false, thats first and foremost. Once you have the courage to face this hard truth, then the next question that Nietzche so bravely asked is why we should then cling to the relics of ignorant ancients...can we not do much better?

What we think of as "good morals" is really a rancid and cancerous lot with many elements that may be fatal to humanity itself. When you really examine Christian morality, which is essentially what everyone means by "morality" whether they are aware of it or not, Nietzche rightfully characterized as "slave moralities".

A moral code that is best for humanity would certainly be one that allows for second chances, that is also very tolerant, however it also wouldnt make the "weak, meek" the highest example of goodness. The best moral code would give the innovaters their due within a utilitarian construct.

Finally, consider Islamic morality. Islam is a great example of a moral code that is antithetical to everything best serves humanity. Ultra hyper self righteousness and intolerance is the net result of Islamic morality. Taken together, the two religions make more for an anti-morality than a morality that best serves humanity.

Answer 3

Of course not, Laws by the government provide morality - Is murder not illegal? The difference is religions have laws that are sometimes hard to backup by logic, like rules against sex before marriage. They also depend on you believing in the religion in the first place, A christian will not follow a bhuddists set of rules, and visa versa. The fact is an athiest will not take ANY of the religious views on morality seriously, as he does not believe they are from a divine source anyway.

Parents often teach their children subconsciously of how low to live a life with a set of ethics, but they are simply passers on in a way rather then the "source". You'll often find criminals haven't been given this basic "training" and don't live the most sage like life.

At the end of the day humans know to a certain what is right and wrong, but most of it is from social contact. If you've seen City Of God you'll see how casually some people treat taking a life, or lying etc. Before religion the world was much less of a moral place, The Roman amphitheatres being a prime example.

Martin Luther King may have got some of his views from religion, but not exclusively so, he just knew what was right and wrong so there is another source of morality and that probably comes from inside aswell, but unfortunately it is highly individual. Ethic comitees (eg in hospitals) are needed in certain circumstances to get an unbiased opinion from a wide range of sources and factors.

Answer 4

Different people have different sources of morality. I am an atheist. I do not look to religion for morality. Some people do. I hope that people are capable of understanding that murder is NOT socially acceptable without needing to refer to the 10 Commandments. I would be a bit concerned if people look to religion as the ONLY source of morality.

Answer 5

At first glance, I thought your question read: "Is RELIGION the ONLY reliable SOURCE of IMMORALITY?"

The answer to that question would be "Yes."

All religions ideas can be divided into two groups: good ideas and bad ideas.

Good ideas always have better reasons for being believed than simply "faith." Relying on faith to believe in them gives the false impression that faith is a good method of determining right from wrong.

Faith can be used as justification for anything. It can encourage people to believe in bad ideas just as easily as it encourages them to believe in good ones.

Logical debate and discussion is different. Logically analyzing ideas can separate the good ones from the bad ones because the reasons used to justify bad ideas always fall apart under close scrutiny.

Therefore, relying on faith is a terrible mistake. Faith is unnecessary when it comes to good ideas and it is the justification people use to prevent logic from throwing out the bad ones.

Faith should never be used as justification for anything.

Answer 6

Humanism is a philosophy of life inspired by humanity and guided by reason. It provides the basis for a fulfilling and ethical life without religion.

Humanists make sense of the world using reason, experience and shared human values.
Humanists see no convincing evidence for gods, the supernatural, or life after death.
Humanists believe that moral values are properly founded on human empathy and scientific understanding.
Humanists believe we must live this life on the basis that it is the only life we'll have -- that, therefore, we must make the most of it for ourselves, each other, and our world.
Humanist philosophies have arisen separately in many different cultures over many thousands of years. Whether or not they use the term humanism, tens of millions of Americans and hundreds of millions of people around the world agree with the humanist philosophy of living a happy and productive life based on reason and compassion.

Answer 7

I would dare to propose that it is the only objective source we currently have.

Individual morality varies by the individual. But a religious morality is pretty iron-clad, dictated by the religion itself.

Of course, this assumes only one religion, and that all people follow it diligently. Both of these statements are a resounding "False!"

Answer 8

It's not even a source of morality let alone the only one.

Answer 9

I don't know about 'religion' but Christianity holds that morals are universal, unchangeable and binding on man. Since an atheist believes they are merely a contrivance of man they are NOT universal, they are changeable and they are not binding of man.

This is not to say that an atheist doesn't have morals. Every person had the 10 commandments written on their heart in creation, and that includes the atheist. They have morals, but they do not have a means of explaining them in any meaningful way.

Answer 10

You mean that a book that says: condemn homosexuals, oppress women in church, kill all first born children, beat your slaves, marry your rapist, and etc., is a good moral guide?