Is morality derived from religion? Does it exist without it?

[Kainesia]

Morality is human nature. So yes and no from a religious standpoint, I suppose.

I would say morality goes against human nature.

[Pope Joan]

Does religion exist without morality?

Oh, absolutely, I used to work in that system for two decades.

Religion lets good people be good but because it can be so tolerant and excusing and not call people to account it also lets many bad people be bad.

[Basseemia]

Of course not. Most morality comes from common sense which is just normal human instinct not the teachings of religion. Morality can exist within anyone with common decency regardless of religious beliefs.

[Camicon]

Morals exist without religion, but they are poorer. Lack of religion leads to moral decline.

When a person claims to see "moral decline" what they are really saying is that society's morality is moving farther and farther away from their own moral code. It's not a decline, so much as an evolution. They say it is a decline so that they can claim the moral high ground. Moral decline is not a thing. It is a term trotted out by people that don't understand what morality is, to give them an edge during a discussion.

[The Flood]

Morals exist without religion, but they are poorer. Lack of religion leads to moral decline.

When a person claims to see "moral decline" what they are really saying is that society's morality is moving farther and farther away from their own moral code. It's not a decline, so much as an evolution. They say it is a decline so that they can claim the moral high ground. Moral decline is not a thing. It is a term trotted out by people that don't understand what morality is, to give them an edge during a discussion.

Moral decline is a thing. We are shifting toward a culture where the new morality is self centredness, greed, convenience at all costs, and indulgence.

[Olmernon]

Morality is a product of empathy, which is built into the human brain (except sociopaths and narcissists). Morality is just how we try to put that emotion into logic.

The idea that Atheism is inherently immoral is just ludicrous. If the only thing keeping you doing good is the idea that a man will punish you for it after you die, then you aren't good, you're just scared.

At the end, morality is like music: Everyone has different ideas, but we can all agree that some things are just awful. Like Nickelback.

And in my opinion, people's moralities are becoming more humane. Rape, homophobia, racism, etc. are no longer acceptable. We encourage acceptance and treating one another better.

[Intelectual Atheists]

You don't need religion to have morality, if you can't identify right and wrong you lack empathy, not religion.

[Olmernon]

And in my opinion, the morality advocated many religions is just cruel. Submission to a cosmic dictator, sexual repression, homophobia, misogyny, murdering and hating nonbelievers, etc.

[The 93rd Coalition]

submission to a cosmic dictator/murdering and hating nonbelievers, etc.

Okay, what? Which religion are you referring to with your first point? And I can't think of any for the second (except for radical Islam.)

[Olmernon]

Okay, what? Which religion are you referring to with your first point? And I can't think of any for the second (except for radical Islam.)

I'm mostly referring to the kind of people that try to use Leviticus as a modern lawbook. Civilized, normal Christianity doesn't suffer from these problems, but I feel like there's astonishingly little keeping the insane, fundamentalist kind of Christianity from becoming the next ISIS.

Fundamentalist Christianity heavily emphasizes submitting to God, and I was referring to their idea of Yahweh as a "cosmic dictator".

[Genivaria]

submission to a cosmic dictator/murdering and hating nonbelievers, etc.

Okay, what? Which religion are you referring to with your first point? And I can't think of any for the second (except for radical Islam.)

Christianity fits that first one pretty well.
Well if you think Leviticus is legit also Christianity.

[Genivaria]

Okay, what? Which religion are you referring to with your first point? And I can't think of any for the second (except for radical Islam.)

I'm mostly referring to the kind of people that try to use Leviticus as a modern lawbook. Civilized, normal Christianity doesn't suffer from these problems, but I feel like there's astonishingly little keeping the insane, fundamentalist kind of Christianity from becoming the next ISIS.

Fundamentalist Christianity heavily emphasizes submitting to God, and I was referring to their idea of Yahweh as a "cosmic dictator".

The way I see it, when your big boss man is a King you're actually less of an American then I am.

[Camicon]

When a person claims to see "moral decline" what they are really saying is that society's morality is moving farther and farther away from their own moral code. It's not a decline, so much as an evolution. They say it is a decline so that they can claim the moral high ground. Moral decline is not a thing. It is a term trotted out by people that don't understand what morality is, to give them an edge during a discussion.

Moral decline is a thing. We are shifting toward a culture where the new morality is self centredness, greed, convenience at all costs, and indulgence.

For morality to decay, then it must be objective. Absolute. It is neither, ergo, morality cannot decay.

[MERIZoC]

Morals exist without religion, but they are poorer. Lack of religion leads to moral decline.

[citation needed]

[Lalaki]

Morality can be derived from religion, but it doesn't have to be. I have a very strong moral code that I try to follow, yet I am an irreligious agnostic.

[The 93rd Coalition]

Okay, what? Which religion are you referring to with your first point? And I can't think of any for the second (except for radical Islam.)

I'm mostly referring to the kind of people that try to use Leviticus as a modern lawbook. Civilized, normal Christianity doesn't suffer from these problems, but I feel like there's astonishingly little keeping the insane, fundamentalist kind of Christianity from becoming the next ISIS.

Fundamentalist Christianity heavily emphasizes submitting to God, and I was referring to their idea of Yahweh as a "cosmic dictator".

AH, okay, thanks. I understand now.

Yeah, Leviticus was pretty barbaric in some places. There's a bunch of reasons why most Christians (I think; if not, the world is one screwed up place) no longer accept it as total law.

[The Sotoan Union]

Morality is human nature. So yes and no from a religious standpoint, I suppose.

I would say morality goes against human nature.

I wouldn't.

[Neutraligon]

I'm mostly referring to the kind of people that try to use Leviticus as a modern lawbook. Civilized, normal Christianity doesn't suffer from these problems, but I feel like there's astonishingly little keeping the insane, fundamentalist kind of Christianity from becoming the next ISIS.

Fundamentalist Christianity heavily emphasizes submitting to God, and I was referring to their idea of Yahweh as a "cosmic dictator".

AH, okay, thanks. I understand now.

Yeah, Leviticus was pretty barbaric in some places. There's a bunch of reasons why most Christians (I think; if not, the world is one screwed up place) no longer accept it as total law.

Which means they are simply picking and choosing and not basing their morality on religion. The very fact that people pick and choose from their religious textbook is practically proof that morality does not com from religion.

[Geilinor]

Morality is an individual's personal sense of right and wrong. Everyone has some level of morality.

[Other Thafoo]

Morality can be derived from religion, but it doesn't have to be. I have a very strong moral code that I try to follow, yet I am an irreligious agnostic.

You live by a code of morals and honour? That's cool. I live by a kebab shop.

[Other Thafoo]

Morals in most religions are exactly equal to those of morals derived from common sense except for in the fact that, as I've seen it explained by the ultra-religious, "practicing a system of ethics based on the promise of a reward (an afterlife and eternal salvation), is always preferable to practicing a system of ethics based on it simply being the right thing to do."

[Geilinor]

Morality can be derived from religion, but it doesn't have to be. I have a very strong moral code that I try to follow, yet I am an irreligious agnostic.

You live by a code of morals and honour? That's cool. I live by a kebab shop.

Kebabs? No, Serbia stronk, remove kebab from premises!

[Corumm]

I profess no religion, ergo I am evil incarnate.

[Othelos]

Morality is a tool for societal cohesion. Religion can provide it, but it's not necessary.

[Sun Wukong]

When a person claims to see "moral decline" what they are really saying is that society's morality is moving farther and farther away from their own moral code. It's not a decline, so much as an evolution. They say it is a decline so that they can claim the moral high ground. Moral decline is not a thing. It is a term trotted out by people that don't understand what morality is, to give them an edge during a discussion.

Moral decline is a thing. We are shifting toward a culture where the new morality is self centredness, greed, convenience at all costs, and indulgence.

That's called Capitalism.

Adherence to which is, if anything, weaker in the United States (I presume your country) then it has been in the last century. Certainly what you describe is less true now then it was in the days of child labor and wage slavery.