Quote:
Originally Posted by recluse
I have a question.
Although it appears that organized religon in general has become unpopular, the concept of a clear set of moral guidelines with which to live by seems, to me, to be increasingly important. It is almost as if society, as it turns it's back on religon, is throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Where does one find moral guidelines in a religon free world?
|
... or in a global world where many religions and moral standards co-exist?
Remember the thread about the boobquake?
Traditionally morals and religion are closely linked, but that only works in a world where everyone has the same religion.
I think that in fact all the different moral standards have a common ground that is not so small (murder is a no-no in all moral systems, although the definitions of murder may vary). The details are what kills us.
The problem is not the death of religion leading to the death of moral standards. We all have moral standards. This is something that is deeply ingrained in us, in part by genetic coding (chimpanzee have some seeds of moral standards, according to some studies), but mostly by education. These moral standards are shaped partly by religious traditions, but they survive them.
The problem is finding a common ground that allows us to live together in a world where different cultures and moral standards are constantly in contact. I'm not saying it's easy, but it doesn't need religion. In fact, we do it every day. It's not easy and unfortunately, too often it leads to violence. But on the whole, we do it.
Drat. Have to go back to work again.