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Can Morality Exist Without Religion?

Deanna Hawash

Yes, it can. Here is why...

- Morality is a part of human nature, therefore it is in all of ...

- Morality is a part of human nature, therefore it is in all of us. Not only are all humans competent of caring, composure and empathy, but we also possess the ability to identify right from wrong, without needing a religion to tell us. (Natural instinct)

- Mankind came before our current religions were developed, making morality older than religion. As one can only imagine, our ancestors went by some type of morality before religion took place for the very reason that morality does not need religion.

- By comparing the sacred texts of some of the most common fait...

- By comparing the sacred texts of some of the most common faiths, for example Judaism, Christianity and Islam, it is evident that they share commonalities regarding what is considered moral. The golden rule, for instance, is found within all religions.

Judaism: “What is hateful to you do not do unto your neighbour. That ...

Judaism: “What is hateful to you do not do unto your neighbour. That is the entire law; all the rest is commentary.” (Hillel, Talmud-Shabbath 31a).

Christianity: “In everything, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Jesus, Matthew 7:12).

Islam: “Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.” (Muhammed, Hadith).

The fact that these moral guidelines are found in all religions in their own way, proves that morality is something that is in all of us.

Unreligious individuals predominantly do not behave less morally compared to religious people.

Unreligious individuals predominantly do not beha...

- Not only are non-religious people capable of being moral, b...

- Not only are non-religious people capable of being moral, but individuals within religion are capable of and do commit immoral acts. Take Pope Benedict for instance, whose child sex abuse scandals shocked many in 2010 specifically because of his religious status.

- If religion was crucial to being a good person, then that would mean that all atheists and agnostics are criminals and terrible people, which is a highly unjust and stereotypical judgment as religion cannot control one’s behaviour.

Studies have proven this statement to be true...

Studies have proven this statement to be true...

- Antonio Damasio, conducted a study where he asked two groups of people (one religious, one nonreligious) questions in relation to situations where it was necessary for one life to be lost to save many others. Many of these individuals felt feelings of compunction for the thought of the one individual dying, however they still chose the practical route.

- At the University of Illinois at Chicago, researchers ask...

- At the University of Illinois at Chicago, researchers asked 1252 adults from the U.S and Canada to record the good as well as the bad deeds that they have committed, witnessed and learned about or were the victim of throughout their day. The key to this study was that these individuals differed by their religious and political backgrounds. Dan Wisneski, who helped conduct this study explains that the results were “shockingly very similar.” (Livescience).

- Wisneski and his fellow researchers found that religious and nonreligious people commit similar numbers of moral acts... regardless of their political or religious leanings, participants were all found to be more likely to report committing, or being the target of, a moral act rather than an immoral act. (Livescience).

Religion uses morality as a way to justify violent actions.

Religion uses morality as a way to justify violent actions.

- There are countless conflicts and wars in world history that ha...

- There are countless conflicts and wars in world history that have their roots in religion.

- "It’s a funny thing how people claim religion instills moral responsibility, ethics and good behavior in us, yet simultaneously it is the same basis for the murders of six million Jews during the Holocaust, the same thing that sprung the violence in the recent wars in Palestine, the Balkans, Northern Ireland, Kashmir, Sudan, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Eritrea, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the Caucasus." (Churchandstate).

- Many use religion as a cover up or an excuse behind the...

- Many use religion as a cover up or an excuse behind their immoral behavior.

Pope Benedict: He had known about and participated in the sexual and physical abuse of children in the Catholic church as young as eight years old. His poor decisions have no correlation with religion for him to justify his actions for the reason that he is a pope.

ISIS: Islam is a religion that promotes nothing but peace and love yet ISIS blames their immorality on this religion by claiming to be Muslim extremists.

Works Cited

Works Cited

- Murali, M. (2007, December 10). Why I Do Not Need Religion To Be Moral. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://churchandstate.org.uk/2016/08/why-i-do-not-need-religion-to-be-moral/

- B. (2013, May 22). Retrieved January 20, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEQuIDqY6Cc

- Religion Doesn't Make People More Moral, Study Finds. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2017, from http://www.livescience.com/47799-morality-religion-political-beliefs.html

- Can man live ethically and morally without the guidance of religion? (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2017, from http://www.debate.org/opinions/can-man-live-ethically-and-morally-without-the-guidance-of-religion

- Quinlan, D. (2001). Exploring world religions: the Canadian perspective. Don Mills, Ont.: Oxford University Press.

- Traynor, I., McVeigh, K., & McDonald, H. (2013, February 11). Pope Benedict 'complicit in child sex abuse scandals', say victims' groups. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2017, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/feb/11/pope-complicit-child-abuse-say-victims

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