The Future of Religion/Morality?

[spacewoman]

VIBEGUIDES - Please feel free to move this, if necessary.

In a different thread, PA Pete wrote the following:

Of course we are probably another 40 years away from Americans accepting an admitted athiest or agnostic (or any non Christian/Jew) for President.

This got me thinking about the future of religion. It seems that our country (and many other western countries) are moving from a religious culture to a more secular one. It is plausible that in a few decades, religion will be a minor part of our culture, with less and less people going to churches, temples and other places of worship. My generation certainly seems to be more secular-minded than that of my parents.

My observation is that one of the major functions of religion in society is to teach people morality. Personally, my moral structure was almost entirely developed as a result of my participation in Sunday school and church services (as well as the influence of my parents who are religious).

If religion is "dying," how will morality be taught to future generations?

Any thoughts? Feel free to debate both whether you feel that religion is disappearing in our culture and what you think of the morality vacuum this disappearance might create.

[DifferentDrummer]

i think people can learn morality without thinking there's an old bearded grandpa in the clouds watching their every move.

besides, are you really a 'good person' if you only avoid doing 'evil' because you fear punishment?

[Jabadoodle]

Since your morality was developed in a religious setting you may not be aware, but it's fully possible to develop a moral standard that rests on nothing but human observances.

Just as many religious people don't know the underpinnings of their morals and/or still commit bad actions, many non-religious people are the same.

But to the committed and astute secularist, it's possible to find a moral system that is every bit as detailed, and with just as firm a foundation, as any religion.


PS: I said "human observances." Please don't let this little phrase make you consider it a trivial thing. I'm just trying to be brief. It's really a little more detailed than that.

[cjtpaint]

It has become a function of law enforcement.

[Arglebargle]

I learned morality by doing things I later regretted. Kids learn not to hurt each other or lie or steal by their parents, and later, in school.

[Prometheus]

There is a lot here to peruse, if anyone is interested and really is perplexed or concerned about non-religious ethical and moral systems. It's really not a cynical free-for-all like some might imagine!

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=secular+humanism&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8


:clapping: :rose:

[Prometheus]

It could be argued that we have achieved a remarkably commendable degree of morality and humanity despite the traditional widespread grounding and influence of cultural mores and morality in religious scripture. Let's not forget the large amount of religious teachings that society must ignore and pretend never existed because they're reprehensible to modern belief systems.

[DifferentDrummer]

It could be argued that we have achieved a remarkably commendable degree of morality and humanity despite the traditional widespread grounding and influence of cultural mores and morality in religious scripture. Let's not forget the large amount of religious teachings that society must ignore and pretend never existed because they're reprehensible to modern belief systems.

http://gatheringofthevibes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2647 :devil:

[Arglebargle]

With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion.

Steven Weinberg

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/richard_dawkins/2007/10/for_good_people_to_go_evil_thi.html

[spacewoman]

I fully agree that people can learn morality on their own (I'm far from feeling we are dependent on religion for that purpose).

I just wonder how, beyond learning from our own innate sense of guilt or from external cues like legal punishment, morality might be taught to children.

Should this be a function of the school system or simply a parental responsibility?

[deadheadskier]

Morality should be taught in the home every day, not at church on Sundays

[syd_25]

Morality should be taught in the home every day, not at church on Sundays


If someone has faith in a religion, why not both? Isn't that our right?

[Don Nucka]

what is better, doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do, or doing the right thing because of fear of the wrath of a magical cloud fairy? I vote for the former.

[syd_25]

what is better, doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do, or doing the right thing because of fear of the wrath of a magical cloud fairy? I vote for the former.

I guess I'm glad it's not something that is up to a vote. :funny1:

[Elphaba]

i believe i am a morally substantial person. i did not get this way from religion, in fact the religion which was taught to me throughout my life (by my father) has taught me that religion taken the wrong way or too far is not morally just.

i do however have respect for people who practice religion with common sense and without radical tendencies.

i would have no problem voting for an athiest or agnostic if they were the best candidate/most qualified. without having religion to shape their view on a matter, they may be a better choice for making a more universally rounded decision.

[lunaone]

Christianity, and nothing else, is the ultimate foundation of liberty, conscience, human rights, and democracy, the benchmarks of Western civilization. To this day, we have no other options [than Christianity]. We continue to nourish ourselves from this source. Everything else is postmodern chatter."

- Jurgen Habermas,
atheist philosopher

There is some truth to this. Attempts to stifle religious worldviews in the town square is what some secularist are trying to do. He at least recognizes the contribution that has come from religous idea's and continue to contribue to anyone who wants it.

[Phishfolk]

I believe personal morality comes from many different places over the course of a lifetime. Fables often have moral lessons in them but are not religious at their core...the same can be said of many of the stories in religious texts.

I personally believe that religions grew out of human kinds natural inborn want for morality. I also believe that even if you think your own personal morality comes from religious experience it is probably also based in a large part due to personal experience that has nothing to do with religious teachings...though you can apply these personal experiences to the message that is pressent in your religious beliefs.

I'm an agnostic and my personal value system is based on the golden rule.

[staggerlee024]

i see what you are saying.

but i always go in a continuous loop.

where does the golden rule come from if not from god?

[DifferentDrummer]

i see what you are saying.

but i always go in a continuous loop.

where does the golden rule come from if not from god?

oh... i dunno... common sense maybe??

if i see an old lady walking down the street w/ a purse... guess what? i know that it's wrong to steal her purse. i don't refrain from doing it b/c i fear that some magic man is watching me from the clouds. i do it b/c i simply know it's wrong. i don't wish to cause suffering to another person.

and btw... if someone only refrains from stealing said purse b/c they fear the wrath of god... then they're not good people at all. they're just good at being controlled by fear.

[Phishfolk]

i see what you are saying.

but i always go in a continuous loop.

where does the golden rule come from if not from god?

I suppose that depends on what your understanding of god or a god is. I tend to think that we all contribute in some way to a collective concience. Not that any one entity came up with morality but its something we all work on and build on. So in a way I think that we are all a part of "god"

You're right though that can go around in a continuous loop.

[staggerlee024]

cs lewis has a great section on this line of reasoning in 'mere christianity'

[staggerlee024]

if someone only refrains from stealing said purse b/c they fear the wrath of god... then they're not good people at all.


agreed.

[Arglebargle]

Originally Posted by DifferentDrummer
if someone only refrains from stealing said purse b/c they fear the wrath of god... then they're not good people at all.

agreed.

These are the people that make religion necessary.

[syd_25]

and btw... if someone only refrains from stealing said purse b/c they fear the wrath of god... then they're not good people at all.

But if they don't do it for fear of being arrested they're good?