Is belief in the supernatural essential to a sense of morals?

Question

For instance is fear of God necessary to ethics?

Answer 1

Nope. In fact, anthropological studies demonstrate that reciprocity (i.e., enlightened self interest), family culture, our primate instincts (empathy and compassion), as well as self-preservation forms the basis of morals, NOT religion.

The presence of a supernatural, omipotent god also contradicts the law of conservation of energy.

Belief in the supernatural is simply a *belief*. Problems arise when beliefs are substituted for forms of evidence and projected onto people or considered as causal, explanatory mechanisms for aspects of life, like morals.

Answer 2

I really agree with most of what you say. Just a note though, Catholicism preaches that you must do the right thing according to your conscience, AS WELL AS the consequences. So I think the church must be given that credit first. But other than that, I have often wondered the same things. Watch the movie "Heaven and Earth" it is absolutely beautiful. This movie has premium cinematography and mentions the concept of karma (more specifically how bad things happen to good people, and what we can do if this happens to us...learn or resent?) I really wonder the same things as you sometimes, and I too am a Catholic raised, yet open minded person. xx

Answer 3

The only place I have run across the phrase "anything goes" is from religious believers putting those words in the mouths of religious skeptics. I have never heard that phrase from religious skeptics.

We were instilled with instincts for law and order instincts long before we even emerged as a separate species. For proof of this, look at any other animal species. The German biologist Konrad Lorenz decried the expression "free as a bird," because birds are anything but free.

Of course, it is sometimes hard to draw the line between benevolence and selfishness. I teach at an after-school English school in South Korea. The couple which runs one of the local pizza stores sends a child to our school. So where do you think I always order my pizza? You guessed it!

I would like to think I am acting out of loyalty. But am I really? Or do I merely want the child's parents to prosper so they could continue sending their child to our school so my boss could prosper so I could enjoy some job security?

Answer 4

A belief in a higher moral authority than ourselves is essential to a real morality.

But we can generate a feeling of goodness through our enormous capacity for self deception. If we set our own standards for morality and then judge our own behavior, we will always do what we feel like doing and then adjust our standard so that we fit. Unless we're fools, we can't lose that game. That is why even criminals plotting their next crime think themselves to be basically good.

Real morality means allowing our moral decisions to be judged by a higher moral authority to Whom we have an obligation to respect, i.e. God.

Answer 5

I am not an atheist, but I would consider this to be VERY insulting to them, as most have a well-defined code of ethics and morals that have nothing to do with fear or God.

Answer 6

Not at all. Humans have a natural instinct to socialize. Millions of people today lead ethical lives yet have no belief in the supernatural. It is noteworthy to mention that one important ethicist, Baruch Spinoza, was also a naturalist.

Answer 7

No, belief (or faith) might be a spiritual strength but it is not a moral one. Your moral compass must be set by careful thought and reason. If you depend on ancient text and "holy men" you are not a moralist, just a parrot. That does not mean that you must turn from your beliefs to find morals but you must study them with a sober and open mind.

Answer 8

Belief in God is relevant if one believes there is an ultimate and eternal moral consequence for all of ones actions here on this earth.

Answer 9

No. It can be good for emotional balance to have a belief in a Higher Power or God. However, it is not necessary.

Answer 10

This is an original question. I believe the suitable answer is yes. Throughout time we have searched for a superior being to explain nature and natural phenomena’s. We believed if things didn't go according to plan that we must have angered the gods. Science and faith continue to play tug-of-war.