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Religious values the basis of Morality
Religion : Religious values the basis of Morality.
Let us define three words to set the context of Reigious values the basis of morality, Religion, Value and Morality. Religion is faith, deep rooted or just rituals irrespective, however, a faith which promises justice and quid pro quo, a belief system which says that there is a higher power in control of everything in the universe and eventually each human being will be judged for the way they spent their life, the presence of supreme authority. a super-natural omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient power ruling the universe, the Divine, the God , the Almighty. Religion is the belief in existence of God and faith in him. And faith begins where logic ends. For every person who practice any religion there is a God and there is no doubt about it. The presence of divine power is beyond argument and doubt. Religion does not comprise merely of a belief system, there are scripture or sacred literature, rituals, practices, social behaviour, and morality associated with religion and its practice. It is an accepted the fact that most of the religion or religious practices run in the families for generations, you do not choose your family or religion, you are born in one. And you carry on the religious practice of the family, till you decide otherwise. The fact remains that religion is not simply an individual choice, it is family based social norm too. People prefer to marry within the same religion or faith, yes there are converts, people find their own redemption, comfort or truth in a certain religion and convert from one to the other or from being an atheist to being a believer, but that is far and few in between. Religion is individual faith but collective practice of the faith in terms of social practices. It is a power that holds people together and plays a crucial role in knitting the society.
We are looking at Religious values the basis of Morality. Religion defined in terms of belief can be different for people from varied faith or religious systems, but basic moral values of every religion coincide, it expects the believer to lead a certain social life valuing fellow human being, showing love and care, practicing ethical principles and being mindful of his or her actions and the impact thereof. The worship of deity or deities can vary but the expectation from the follower towards the society remains constant across religions. Respect for life and nature, sharing, transparency, truth, justice, conformance to the social norms, mindful living is part of any and every religious practice and is taught through varied sermons, rituals, stories, scriptures etc. Religion also warns the believer of non-conformance, it could be eternity in punishment in hell for some, suffering in next life for some, curses for some and other such things, but every religion does say you reap what you sow, later than you sow and larger than you sow, but reap you surely will. Sin cannot go scot-free there is a price associated with it, there is consequences to sin, and at this point religious values meet morality.
Morality within the context of religious values the basis of morality.
Morality. We are discussing religious values as basis morality and in this context, let us define morality. Morality simply put is principles concerning right and wrong. Morality and religion are not connected at all, these are two different sets of thinking. Religion is accepting the presence of divine power and adhering to the expectation of the same. Morality is social set of standards of behaviour. We live in a society which is changing, evolving and so are the expected behavioural norms. Morality may clash with religion or religious belief. Taking the risk of unsettling a few, I would like to use ‘inclusion’ as an example. The social moral behaviour expects people to include people of all gender, races, and sexual preferences and treat them as equals, and we are still struggling to do so, does it make us any less moral, not really, but yes it says that there is a gap, and it needs to be addressed. Whereas for religious practices there are stricter norms and expected set of behaviour not to be challenged, and we can see such rituals, practices or expectations across all religions or religious practices. Morality on the other hand is evolving and is contextual in nature. At times, the law of the land also binds moral behaviour. Religious practices promise a reward or punishment, morality is social understanding of right and wrong. You can be ethically correct, morally upright and an atheist. and I take the courage to say that one can claim to be religious and still be ethically or morally in the wrong. Ethic represents the morality code. Morality is socially binding too, there are laws which bind a person to follow the set ethical standards. Ethics and morality are now and here, faith is reap it later. But in both cases cannot escape the consequences of one’s actions.
Religion and Morality : Religious values the basis of Morality.
Religion gives space for counselling, confession, penance, redemption and restoration, ethical standards, or morality at most is legally binding and is conformed due to social pressures too. You could be ethically or morally perfect and a-religious and at the same time one could be deeply religious and ethically not correct at all. Look around and we see many such examples of such people, this is the point where fanatism begins. When we become intolerant of every religion except one which we believe to be true. We need not dig a lot to see such examples, there are a plenty of people and practices which are ethically or morally incorrect and are motivated and rooted in religious believes. This bring us to a point where we ask ourselves, is morality in conflict with religion, May be, I would say there are places where morality conflicts with religion, place of women in society, tolerating varied sexual orientations, marriage, use of contraceptives and many more, there are places which are grey, where ethic or morality meets religion. Then arises the question, where do I draw my values to bank upon with or without being religious and this is the point, where we look beyond normalising faith systems, abandoning clutters of practices and looking for an anchor to led life, an anchor which holds my faith and also keeps me morally in correct standing. Let us look at values now.
Values and morality.
We are looking at values within the context of religious values the basis of morality. Values is defined as set of principles which guide people to discern and make well informed choices and live a purpose driven life. The core principles one sets for oneself to lead life with. We have read in many Panchatantra stories that the thieves had some moral code of conduct some values that they stuck with. War between good and evil is a never ending saga and from the ancient till today there are values related to war too, in the ancient days sunset was the time to pause the fighting or war, the women children and the old were not harmed by the enemy and also today even in the most hostile situations attempts are made to secure the lives of women children and the old. Values, the set of principles which guide us to prioritise what is important for us. Values is clear of any belief or social practice; it is individual and universal at the same time. Just look at the fact that when we hear of wars, we look at it as fight between the good and the evil, between the right one and the other, but hearing about outraging the modesty of women or killing of infants unsettles and with no breadth of imagination or logic it can be accepted, it is not an accepted collateral damage. Such are Values. Values which drive humanity and across all boundaries. Values, the set of principles which connect people and work as an anchor. Now the question arises do we look at religious values as basis of morality.
Religious values can be basis of morality but there are different views and at times conflicting too, though primarily every religion provides the core value framework comprising of love, patience, tolerance and forgiveness, but there are grey areas too, for instance I am a Christian so I can say that Christianity absolute prohibits some acts as abortion, divorce, same sex relationships, live in partnering etc. etc. but these are accepted norms of the society today and are not considered ethically wrong. Yes, religious values can be basis of morality but not always and not absolutely. In the 17th century according to Stephen Gaukroger, it was assumed that religion provides the unique basis for morality, and it is necessary for morality. However, this view shifted and in 1690 Pierre Bayle asserted that religion is neither necessary not sufficient for morality. Religion is specific Morality is generic.
Religious and Morality.
Religion is important, it is needed , religious practices have immense potential for addressing social problems to today but at the same time there are incidences which indicate that strong and unhinging practice of religion has not always been beneficial in every aspect of social concern and policy. I would like to conclude saying that Religion is needed but it still a personal choice morality is demanded it is a social need, so it should be left to the individual to imbibe religious values to moral standards of simply take morality as a generic social behaviour norm and adhere to it.
Frequently asked questions
Q1. Is religion the basis of morality?
No religion and morality are not connected, they are two independent thoughts, and morality is not connected to any religious belief system.
Q2. I am an atheist does it mean that I am immortal?
Morality does not depend on any religious practice, morality is the code of conduct one sets for oneself and is independent of any religious belief, you can be an atheist and have the highest standard of moral values.
Q3. Is religion even needed to be ethical?
No, but religious values and belief system encourages and motivate the believer to lead an ethical and morally correct life, giving respect to the divinity.
Q4. What is ethics?
The code of conduct which one adapts to navigate through life, the core principles to take decision are your ethical value system.
Q5. What is morality?
Morality is the accepted set of ideas about right and wrong, or good and evil which helps a person take decision and lead life. Morality is subjective.
Q6. Can there be morality without religion?
Yes of course, Morality is independent of religion. One can be an atheist and have highest moral standards.
Q7. Does ethical living need the clutches of religion?
No, ethical or moral standards need not necessarily depend on religious beliefs and practices, but having said that it is also understood that religion promotes ethical living.
