Morality Exists Independently from Religion
Historically, religion and morality have had an influence on each other. The influence of religion has led to the development of some aspects of morality. For example, many abolitionists were religious leaders. On the other hand, morality has had an influence on religion. For example, morality has influenced the Catholic Church’s role over women and abortion. While religion and morality may influence each other, is one necessary for the other? It is a common belief that religion is necessary for morality. This is the view that without religion, morality would not exist. However, after the examination of the arguments that support this view, it is clear that these arguments are problematic. It is therefore …show more content…
However, how can we know what is right? Those who claim that morality is dependent on religion argue that without religion people would not know what is moral. In other words, religion is the reason why people know what is right and what is wrong. That is, without a religious source, humans could not figure out the nature of morality by themselves. However, this view is problematic. There are too many religions to know which is the right guide. There are a lot of possible sources of knowledge. Which faith is the right faith? Which religion has the right view of morality? Different religions do not always agree on points of morality. If religion is really necessary for moral guidance, there is now a problem trying to figure out which religion is the right religion. This is also known as the problem of moral guidance (Arthur,22). Since there are so many possible sources of knowledge, religion cannot be the only reason why people know what is …show more content…
The flaws in the opponents’ arguments contribute to this validation. It is clear that religious incentives are not the only reasons an individual acts morally. There are multiple types of incentives that motivate people to do what is right. On the other hand, knowing what is moral does not exclusively come from religion. There are so many religions, and therefore possible sources of knowledge. Identifying one source of knowledge becomes problematic. Finally, morality cannot depend on the commandments of God. If morality depended on the commandments of God, either morality is arbitrary or God’s command is irrelevant. After careful examination of the arguments supporting the view that religion is essential for morality, it is clear that morality can exist independently from
Historically, religion and morality have had an influence on each other. The influence of religion has led to the development of some aspects of morality. For example, many abolitionists were religious leaders. On the other hand, morality has had an influence on religion. For example, morality has influenced the Catholic Church’s role over women and abortion. While religion and morality may influence each other, is one necessary for the other? It is a common belief that religion is necessary for morality. This is the view that without religion, morality would not exist. However, after the examination of the arguments that support this view, it is clear that these arguments are problematic. It is therefore …show more content…
However, how can we know what is right? Those who claim that morality is dependent on religion argue that without religion people would not know what is moral. In other words, religion is the reason why people know what is right and what is wrong. That is, without a religious source, humans could not figure out the nature of morality by themselves. However, this view is problematic. There are too many religions to know which is the right guide. There are a lot of possible sources of knowledge. Which faith is the right faith? Which religion has the right view of morality? Different religions do not always agree on points of morality. If religion is really necessary for moral guidance, there is now a problem trying to figure out which religion is the right religion. This is also known as the problem of moral guidance (Arthur,22). Since there are so many possible sources of knowledge, religion cannot be the only reason why people know what is …show more content…
The flaws in the opponents’ arguments contribute to this validation. It is clear that religious incentives are not the only reasons an individual acts morally. There are multiple types of incentives that motivate people to do what is right. On the other hand, knowing what is moral does not exclusively come from religion. There are so many religions, and therefore possible sources of knowledge. Identifying one source of knowledge becomes problematic. Finally, morality cannot depend on the commandments of God. If morality depended on the commandments of God, either morality is arbitrary or God’s command is irrelevant. After careful examination of the arguments supporting the view that religion is essential for morality, it is clear that morality can exist independently from