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Topic	Do you think religion is needed to instill morality into society?
Wutobliteration 08/09/20 1:32:02 PM #22:	MrMallard posted... I don't think it's needed, but I do think it's useful and even healthy for people to derive meaning from something they consider to be larger than themselves. The only real problem I have with religion is using it for untoward reasons, like personal gain or to amplify bigotry. Morality is based on empathy and law. Of course, people can lack empathy and laws can be abused to harm/benefit certain people. But a greater societal focus on "treat people with respect and kindness and you'll be paid in kind", with a just punishment system to dissuade crimes like murder and fraud, is entirely possible without religion. That "higher power" that drives people to act morally can easily be respect for one's fellow man. Not that life is that simple, of course - but there are reasons that appeal to basic human instinct which can instill morality in a society. Religion is one way to communicate a broader set of ethics and morality to a receptive audience if utilised in a positive way, but it isn't a requirement. A legal system can only go so far to only prevent the worst of crimes and wrong acts, but it does not reward volunteerism and selfless acts for others. Not everyone believes in this non-religious idea of karma and those that do often just find themselves eventually getting taken advantage of. I don't think it's needed, but I do think it's useful and even healthy for people to derive meaning from something they consider to be larger than themselves. A lot of non-religious people eventually deduce their idea of meaning of life to mean 'just maximise happiness/satisfaction'. Except as we all know, humans have an endless need for satisfaction. This could mean partying, drinking, hookups and living a reckless but satisfying life that in the end, still gets us nowhere. If you read up on King Solomon, it clearly illustrates this aspect of human nature, where a person can have everything in the world and yet not be happy. Because we keep wanting MORE. Various philosophies throughout history has sprung up because of this to justify a way of living that people can be content with <cite>Wutobliteration posted [p:943180849] in Do you thi... [t:78901994]...</cite> <quote>MrMallard posted... </cite> <quote>I don't think it's needed, but I do think it's useful and even healthy for people to derive meaning from something they consider to be larger than themselves. The only real problem I have with religion is using it for untoward reasons, like personal gain or to amplify bigotry. Morality is based on empathy and law. Of course, people can lack empathy and laws can be abused to harm/benefit certain people. But a greater societal focus on "treat people with respect and kindness and you'll be paid in kind", with a just punishment system to dissuade crimes like murder and fraud, is entirely possible without religion. That "higher power" that drives people to act morally can easily be respect for one's fellow man. Not that life is that simple, of course - but there are reasons that appeal to basic human instinct which can instill morality in a society. Religion is one way to communicate a broader set of ethics and morality to a receptive audience if utilised in a positive way, but it isn't a requirement.</quote> A legal system can only go so far to only prevent the worst of crimes and wrong acts, but it does not reward volunteerism and selfless acts for others. Not everyone believes in this non-religious idea of karma and those that do often just find themselves eventually getting taken advantage of. <quote>I don't think it's needed, but I do think it's useful and even healthy for people to derive meaning from something they consider to be larger than themselves.</quote> A lot of non-religious people eventually deduce their idea of meaning of life to mean 'just maximise happiness/satisfaction'. Except as we all know, humans have an endless need for satisfaction. This could mean partying, drinking, hookups and living a reckless but satisfying life that in the end, still gets us nowhere. If you read up on King Solomon, it clearly illustrates this aspect of human nature, where a person can have everything in the world and yet not be happy. Because we keep wanting MORE. Various philosophies throughout history has sprung up because of this to justify a way of living that people can be content with </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
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