Comments | jafsica: Religion and Morality

jafsica

Religion and Morality

Feb 25, 2007 13:44

In my opinion, morality does not come from religion. While religions do offer morals/values, morality is not exclusive to religion. I believe that morality comes from societies and cultures and not religion. The "clear" point that morality comes from God is absurd to me. (That's right, Bill: absurd ( Read more... )

beliefs, morality, discussion, religion, values, society, morals, opinions

Comments 14

royale_tea February 25 2007, 23:53:12 UTC

I think the concept of Ethics and Morality are separate from religion. I think there's a connection between spirituality and ethics/morality, although one can exist without the other. Morality at its heart is based upon one's own experiences and ideas, thus everyone's morals are different--which is where conflict arises; especially if those morals are attached to religion. Whilst the book of ethics does deal with the concept of a "God" it is more to compare perfect and imperfect beings (meaning that "perfect" being [i.e. God] is "perfect" because "he" can change the world around "himself" and not simply be held by the standards of everything else ( ... )

reject February 26 2007, 07:48:52 UTC

Morality is completely and utterly relative. It's not a real thing, it's not external to us, it's not handed down from upon high. It is learned and it is unlearned.

jafsica February 26 2007, 14:52:53 UTC

I agree.

curlyindustries February 26 2007, 20:50:46 UTC

Jaf, I think that you are partially right. Society/culture effects morals in so much as they determine what is and isn't illegal, and what is and isn't "normal". That's it. There is however, contrary to previous replies to your journal entry, one absolute moral: the sovereignty of the individual. Because of that, the only thing that determines your morals is YOU ( ... )

jafsica February 27 2007, 01:45:47 UTC

Oh I agree.
But it seems like some fanatic religious people want to impose their morals on others via laws, etc. They often use God and/or the Bible as their defense.

We need a balance. I'm not sure I know how to explain it. Sorry.

whitevanilla February 26 2007, 22:11:14 UTC

I was told this summer that I have no morals because I'm not a Christian. I strongly disagree.

I do agree with you though, doing the right thing because it's right, not because a higher power demands it. Doing it because it's right is better in my opinion.

jafsica February 27 2007, 00:25:48 UTC

Right. If Christianity (or any other religion) is right for someone, I'm fine with it, as long as they do not hurt other people.

I know not all Christians are so fanatic, but I think it's harmful that some cannot separate religion and morality. Religion can be a source of morals and/or values, but not everybody needs/wants that in order to be a good person or to be happy.

We are not (supposed to be) a Christian nation. The reason for our nation was to escape the imposition of other religions. Let's take our human values (kind of the universal morals that prevail among most societies).
I feel like I'm not explaining it well.

But there's that "Golden Rule" in pretty much every culture/society.

whitevanilla February 27 2007, 01:51:51 UTC

You must remember that among those first settlers in New England were the religious extremist in Europe and could only find solace here. (As I understand it!) But of course, when they had the chance, they quickly persecuted others for their beliefs.

But I must give some credit to the US. We are slightly more religiously tollerant than many other countries. In general that is.

jafsica February 27 2007, 02:23:59 UTC

Right. I agree.
We just need to remember what happened and not allow it to happen again.
I'm thankful that we are free to choose our own religion here, but I am also fearful of that changing. Some people believe that their religion holds high morals that should be followed by our people and be made laws. (I know not all Christians.)

I see the laws banning gay marriage as having religious reasons behind them. (Many opposers of gay marriage use the Bible as a source for claiming its wrongness. Some people also say that God created marriage.) I see this as imposing their belief on others. I support their right to have their bigotry. (Certainly, I think their homophobia is ignorant and wrong, but this is a free country.) But, laws banning their marriage.....I think that infringes on peoples' rights and freedoms!

Thread 7

walkintherain February 28 2007, 05:19:32 UTC

I guess I disagree with your first statement, that morality does not come from religion. 'Cause I think it can. Not necessarily, though, and I have no doubt that morality can come from places other than religion ( ... )

jafsica February 28 2007, 14:52:18 UTC

(Just want to clarify that when I said morality doesn't come from religion, I meant that that is not its sole source.)

We have to take two religion classes: Christian Vocation and the Search for Meaning (I and II). In each we learn about other religions besides Christianity. Most of the professors are open-minded and accepting, so that helped.