Hicup
DP Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2009
- Messages
- 9,081
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- Location
- Rochester, NY
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- Very Conservative
In another thread where I no longer have posting privileges, the question of morals, and ethics came up concerning religion. One poster suggested that morals, and ethics were not something religion was responsible for, and at first glance, one might think that would be true. After all, I'm not religious, and I consider myself to be a moral, and ethical person, however, if one thinks about this deeper one cannot dismiss that morals, and ethics would have evolved right along with our physiological evolution, like many other contemporary belief systems. So, I have to question the claim that morals along with ethics was not, and is not a manifestation of our religious growth.
I know that, although I am not religious, I can't think of one aspect of my personality that was not directly inherited from my Father, and Mother, which in-turn was inherited from their Mother and Father, all the way down to the beginning of organized religion. One could make the argument that it wasn't until religious precepts that morality, and ethics was codified into a common way of believing, and whether forced upon you, or whether you ascribed to the belief systems, religion was responsible for putting down on paper what it was that society expected of its members.
Yes, I am aware of various religious campaigns and persecution throughout history, but it doesn't displace the impact religion had, and continues to have on all of society, and societies that embrace their basic fundamental moral, and ethical teachings. We all have our own ideas of what is moral, and ethical, and those ideas stem across a wide range of religions, and cultures, but the mainstay principles or fairness, and conduct are familiar, and consistent for the same kind of reason in any society.
So, if not religion, then what was responsible for our belief systems? What was the first moral act, or ethical decision we experienced from an evolutionary point of view, and how would that manifest into religion? Or is religion the manifestation of our evolutionary growth? Was it inevitable? Isn't religion really a culmination of a certain set of moral and ethical beliefs shared by a significant number of members in any given society? Is it fair to say that religion could not happen -or- can only happen if society embraces a specific set of morals, and ethics? Can't we define religion in this manner, and would it be unfair to resolve to this conclusion?
It's like saying that morals and ethics do not require religion to know whether something is right or wrong, but once we make that determination we have embraced a religious position, and if not, then what is your basis for forming your own, none religious convictions?
Please explain?
Tim-
I know that, although I am not religious, I can't think of one aspect of my personality that was not directly inherited from my Father, and Mother, which in-turn was inherited from their Mother and Father, all the way down to the beginning of organized religion. One could make the argument that it wasn't until religious precepts that morality, and ethics was codified into a common way of believing, and whether forced upon you, or whether you ascribed to the belief systems, religion was responsible for putting down on paper what it was that society expected of its members.
Yes, I am aware of various religious campaigns and persecution throughout history, but it doesn't displace the impact religion had, and continues to have on all of society, and societies that embrace their basic fundamental moral, and ethical teachings. We all have our own ideas of what is moral, and ethical, and those ideas stem across a wide range of religions, and cultures, but the mainstay principles or fairness, and conduct are familiar, and consistent for the same kind of reason in any society.
So, if not religion, then what was responsible for our belief systems? What was the first moral act, or ethical decision we experienced from an evolutionary point of view, and how would that manifest into religion? Or is religion the manifestation of our evolutionary growth? Was it inevitable? Isn't religion really a culmination of a certain set of moral and ethical beliefs shared by a significant number of members in any given society? Is it fair to say that religion could not happen -or- can only happen if society embraces a specific set of morals, and ethics? Can't we define religion in this manner, and would it be unfair to resolve to this conclusion?
It's like saying that morals and ethics do not require religion to know whether something is right or wrong, but once we make that determination we have embraced a religious position, and if not, then what is your basis for forming your own, none religious convictions?
Please explain?
Tim-