can one be moral without religion?

Answer 1

Yes, I've never killed, raped, stolen, or committed adultery. Besides there are more "religious" people in prisons then non-religious.

Answer 2

Morality is the appropriate expression of loving kindness.

Religion, of the orthodox type, is usually inclusive of morality but with lotsa other stuff, not necessarily even about morality mixed in. In fact, if you check out the Apostle's Creed, the "litmus" test for being any kind of orthodox Christian, you'll find that the only mention of anything faintly moral is the four words in the tenth article of faith, "The forgiveness of sins". The other eleven articles are declarations of belief in supernatural stuff.

Of course, that's conventional, organized religion, Christianity, the main concept here in the United States of America. (Of course there are those who say that the real religion is Consumerism - but that's a subject maybe for the political section.) There are other concepts of religion which are much more moral. Then, of course, there's secular humanism, which isn't a religion in the conventional sense, but is all about morals.

Answer 3

Yes. Morales are the normal 1st principals and normally come from "Faith". However Morales can be derived from existence outside of faith. (in the case of Asatru they are one in the same. Which Is why you can be Asatru and Not belive that Odin is really living right now.)


so no religion is not essential to the equation of morales.


Well to be percise "faith in a deity as Arbitter of right and wrong" is not essential to morality. However it does help.


There are a wide variety of religions out there that are not what you may be used to. Many are very open, and are in stark contrast to the dogmatic's you see so many of in the Abrahamic faiths (christianity and Islam) If you have any questions about those or any interests this is a ok place to ask questions.


You'll get idiot christians telling you "you are wasting your time." One told me that once.... I swear I want to beat him with a hammer.

but persevere.


and you can always e-mail me if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle.

Answer 4

Yes. The laws of right and wrong are written on the heart of every man.

I don’t know about Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and other religions, but Christianity is not about being moral, although it certainly calls Christians to be moral. Christianity is about knowing and daily communing with the LIVING GOD as result of having spiritually been born into His Kingdom.

Answer 5

I'm Roman Catholic, and I believe anyone can be morale. Even non-religious people can be morale. If you can act kindly towards others (not killing or being harmful) and putting pleasure above all, then you are morale.

Yes, anybody can be morale, do not believe what other people say. Nazis can't be morale, because well, their idealogy revolves around murder.

If you're not religious, then yes you can be morale, but you have to choose to be morale. And if you choose to be morale, then I applaud you, even if you may be an Atheist, or whatever you are, as long as you're morale, I repsect and applaudyou.

Answer 6

First, morality is a human trait. It is something that we learn and practice daily. Some do well at it and some don't.

Religion. Well that is interesting. Some of the best non-theists on this board are very religious.

In answer to your question. Yes.

Answer 7

Being "moral" (from the Latin moralitas "manner, character, proper behaviour") simply means following a code of conduct held to be authoritative in matters of right and wrong. That set of rules can have its roots in religion, but it need not. Societies create "norms" that naturally coalesce into morals, as do any number of philosophies, or the intelligent and educated musings of any free individual conscience.

Buddhists have no "religion", are you suggesting they are all amoral?

Answer 8

Yes, anyone can practice good social habits and care deeply about "good" causes or choose a life of deep social convictions and fair treatment of all people. Religious changes can do the same...but Jesus makes the only divine changes to the heart and life of all who trust Him.

2 Corinthians 5;17 - Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Answer 9

no morality is a set of codes set by a deity.

without religion you can be a good person who decides to do the right thing.

Answer 10

One can be moral in spite of religion

Answer 11

Yes, you can. Religion does not have the corner market on morality.