Does the world need Relegion as a "moral code?"

[dragonoverlord]

When i was channel surfing i saw this interview well (part of it). Where this Christian guy was saying the world needs the bible as a moral code because without it where will people get their morals from. (I think, if someone knows this arguement better please expand on it). Anyway What do you guys think? Will it be moral chaous without the bible and christianity like the guy on T.v said? Discuss!!!!

[ExoByte]

Nope.

[Mes Tarrant]

Oh boy. I'm disappointed that people STILL bring this up. Dawkins alone has addressed this issue, completely debunking any myth that we need religion for morality, countless times. The other "horsemen" have as well.

[kingofclutch]

I agree with Mes and Exobyte that we don't need it. We would be better without it.

[dragonoverlord]

Oh boy. I'm disappointed that people STILL bring this up. Dawkins alone has addressed this issue, completely debunking any myth that we need religion for morality, countless times. The other "horsemen" have as well. Sorry i never read any of Richard dawkins books, could you or someone else expand on that? I dont beleive ppl need the bible as a moral code either by the way...

[Mes Tarrant]

Hehe, I never read his books either. I've just seen almost all of the lectures he has ever had available on youtube or google video. He basically points out all of these quite immoral things the bible preaches. He then points out that over the centuries, people have picked and chosen which parts of the bible to follow. As society progressed, they have disregarded some aspects of the bible and adopted new ones. So, all of this points to the observation that followers of the bible have been modifying their beliefs and values in order to stay "contemporary", or on the same page with society as a whole. He does an excellent job explaining this stuff and anything else. Do check out some of his lectures on youtube, or some interviews or something.

[♥Mark]

If humans can make up religious morals, surely they can make up non-religious ones.

[dragonoverlord]

I hope some christian people come here and argue their side. For some reason christains seem to never come into R&S except for that one guy.

[Mes Tarrant]

There really is nothing left to argue. I mean, here's the deal: the people who come in and attempt to argue that religion is good for morality have not done their research on the opposition. So you're gonna end up with the same feeble arguments being thrown about.. .. Sorry to sound so pessimistic, but I honestly have not heard anything that hasn't already been addressed countless times. It would be like a breath of fresh air to hear some genuinely new idea.

[dragonoverlord]

I know but still. Atleast its entertaining right

[Xaqaria]

Wait, are you asking about religion or Christianity?

[kingofclutch]

Wait, are you asking about religion or Christianity? Both.

[Spartiate]

There really is nothing left to argue. That's because you guys keep arguing facts , religion is about people, there's a whole rational psychology behind it. Maybe the important question isn't "whether god exists or not", but rather "why would someone choose to believe in god". Pretty much only two answers to that; indoctrination or to use as a crutch.

[StephenT]

Of course. The Bible is like the law book of morality for humans. Sure, we could get some of them from parents and influences such as that at a young age, but when we get older, we need to turn to the Bible for how to live our life in a moral, Godly way. Also, when I think about it, parents and other great influences of your early life probably get their morals from the Bible, so it all trickles down in the end. People like killers, who highly lack in morality, were probably either deprived of the Bible, or are Atheists. To sum it up, yes, without the Bible, this world of ours would be anarchistic and Godless.

[Xaqaria]

That's because you guys keep arguing facts , religion is about people, there's a whole rational psychology behind it. Maybe the important question isn't "whether god exists or not", but rather "why would someone choose to believe in god". Pretty much only two answers to that; indoctrination or to use as a crutch. You sure are taking that 'abandoning facts' thing to heart, aren't you?

[Spartiate]

You sure are taking that 'abandoning facts' thing to heart, aren't you? By "facts" I was referring to general arguments that are for/against religion; you know, good morals, inconsistencies in religious texts, that kind of stuff... Everybody's trying to prove or disprove religion, but religion comes with a huge human element. The facts aren't nearly as important as the one who argues them, which is why it's better to question "why religion is important to this person".

[Mes Tarrant]

That's because you guys keep arguing facts , religion is about people, there's a whole rational psychology behind it. Maybe the important question isn't "whether god exists or not", but rather "why would someone choose to believe in god". Pretty much only two answers to that; indoctrination or to use as a crutch. Look, the question of "why someone believes in god" is not particularly difficult to answer, either. A lot of people believe in god because they were raised to do so, and accepting certain facts that would lead to atheism would be like letting go of a huge part of themselves. People believe in god for the security, the comfort, lack of knowing any better, stuff like that. Now I'm talking about people who follow organized religions, here. I'm not talking about an agnostic's god.

[R.D.735]

Some organized religions officially reject the idea that morality stems solely from a divine being. Instead, belief in the divine is viewed as something that only supports a human's intrinsic morality. Dawkins' arguments work equally well against that view, of course, but it's important to note that some theists don't believe in a doctrine of morality-by-decree.

[Gastone Mojaisky]

Human Beings are perfectly able to get along fine without relegion as a moral code, those lot who like those you saw on Television who in essense are saying "My way or the highway" are a close minded bunch. Relegion is what you make of it, and some folks take it to seriously. Un-fortunately those characters seem to get most of the attention because they make most of the noise. The silent liberal majority make hardly any noise and are hardly controversial so they never get heard. Treat others as you wish to be treated and you should be fine.

[Serkat]

LOL I can has morals??

[Needcatscan]

Of course. The Bible is like the law book of morality for humans. Sure, we could get some of them from parents and influences such as that at a young age, but when we get older, we need to turn to the Bible for how to live our life in a moral, Godly way. Also, when I think about it, parents and other great influences of your early life probably get their morals from the Bible, so it all trickles down in the end. People like killers, who highly lack in morality, were probably either deprived of the Bible, or are Atheists. To sum it up, yes, without the Bible, this world of ours would be anarchistic and Godless. Thanks for playing the opposition stephen Mes, you REALLY need to read the books. Granted, 75% will be repeats of what you have heard in the lectures, but they are a really good read. I've read all the horsemen's books related to religion and/or god except for Breaking the Spell.

[Spartiate]

Look, the question of "why someone believes in god" is not particularly difficult to answer, either. A lot of people believe in god because they were raised to do so, and accepting certain facts that would lead to atheism would be like letting go of a huge part of themselves. People believe in god for the security, the comfort, lack of knowing any better, stuff like that. Now I'm talking about people who follow organized religions, here. I'm not talking about an agnostic's god. Exactly, and that applies to organized religion too... it`s just more structured. So structured that it`s quite believable to people who don`t know better, "because everyone else is doing it". Then it`s no surprise why debating religion just goes round and round, resulting in much , because religious people don`t really care about the facts being argued, they just don`t want to lose their sense of "purpose" or something similar. So if you want to get through to them, it`s better to find out why religion is important to them on an individual level. It tends to be just wishful thinking really.

[juroara]

this whole thread reeks of ignorance there are many reasons why people believe in God. for people like myself, I see God everywhere I turn. It is a reality. not a thing of comfort, or something I was taught to believe. For me to not believe in God, it is to not believe in reality. I was brought up to believe in a God that resides in the sky who will send you to hell if you do not worship him. I no longer believe in this God. and there are many many many Christians who are the same as me. we believe in God today because of personal revelations of this God, which is completely different than the God we were told to believe. Have some more respect for people who believe in God. No one. NO ONE - believes in God because they were told to. Every adult has chosen to believe or not to believe based on personal experiences. if a religious persons argues that religion is necessary for morality, then they lack faith in the reality of God. I on the other hand, am very different. I do not lack faith in the reality of God. Morality is inherent in the human being, as is God. What is the right thing to do, is so subjective on the situation. That it is nearly impossible for any moral code to include all situations. Morality then becomes up to the individual. And rather than having a rule book of what thou shall do or not do, we need a practical guide to help people understand how to listen to their own being of what is their right and wrong. This way, people won't have regrets. They will look back at their actions and know they did all that they could.

[psychology student]

The world doesn't necessarily need religion as a moral code, but it needs a moral code from somewhere.

[skysaw]

The world doesn't necessarily need religion as a moral code, but it needs a moral code from somewhere. I agree. From the heart, or from the conscious should work pretty well. Does for me and my family.