Does morality need religion?
Running head: MORALITY AND RELIGION
Does morality need religion?
Ms. McBain
HSB 4M0
February 29, 2012
To many individuals, morality and religion are two related but distinct ideas. To be specific, morality consists of principles set by societal norms concerning the distinction between right and wrong and good and bad behaviour among persons. Alternatively, religion involves the relationship between human beings and a transcendent reality or a superhuman controlling power, God. In many societies in the past and present, the idea of God is used to help reinforce moral codes as valuable and vital through rituals and methods of presenting the teachings of God. By many, religion is used to instil fear in others who do not act or behave moral. Consequently, using fear as a potent tool, people begin to act moral because they believe that if they do not, social chaos will fall upon them, as there will be nothing left to govern society. In contradiction, some people, usually Atheist, find the concept of faith as comical when they question the existence of God. Through the examination of the books, The Evolution of Morality and Religion and The Two Sources of Morality and Religion along with various web sources, it is apparent that religion is a reinforcement for morality as it is conditioned into humans since birth, it is how people choose to integrate their religious beliefs into reality and it acts as a contributing factor in our daily survival in today’s civilization.
Where does it come from? The need to be moral when questioned with the simplest of enquiries or the largest of struggles. It is in human nature, part of our human heart and brain. Morality is conditioned into human nature since birth through the process of evolution. Since the dawn of early civilization, society has learned the importance and significance of religion and morality through religious institutions. Then as the people transition through life,
Does morality need religion?
Ms. McBain
HSB 4M0
February 29, 2012
To many individuals, morality and religion are two related but distinct ideas. To be specific, morality consists of principles set by societal norms concerning the distinction between right and wrong and good and bad behaviour among persons. Alternatively, religion involves the relationship between human beings and a transcendent reality or a superhuman controlling power, God. In many societies in the past and present, the idea of God is used to help reinforce moral codes as valuable and vital through rituals and methods of presenting the teachings of God. By many, religion is used to instil fear in others who do not act or behave moral. Consequently, using fear as a potent tool, people begin to act moral because they believe that if they do not, social chaos will fall upon them, as there will be nothing left to govern society. In contradiction, some people, usually Atheist, find the concept of faith as comical when they question the existence of God. Through the examination of the books, The Evolution of Morality and Religion and The Two Sources of Morality and Religion along with various web sources, it is apparent that religion is a reinforcement for morality as it is conditioned into humans since birth, it is how people choose to integrate their religious beliefs into reality and it acts as a contributing factor in our daily survival in today’s civilization.
Where does it come from? The need to be moral when questioned with the simplest of enquiries or the largest of struggles. It is in human nature, part of our human heart and brain. Morality is conditioned into human nature since birth through the process of evolution. Since the dawn of early civilization, society has learned the importance and significance of religion and morality through religious institutions. Then as the people transition through life,