Religion and Morality (Essay Sample)

Religion and morality
Name
Name of the institution
Religion and Morality
Introduction:
Many philosophers and religious critics claim that there is a close link between morality and religion. However, the two concepts have different meanings and application. Before analyzing the relationship between the two concepts, it is imperative to define the meaning of religion and morality. Morality can be defined as the distinction between what is perceived to be good and that which is believed to be bad. On the other hand, religion is an individual’s, a group’s or society’s beliefs in supernatural power or deity. Specific moral values depend on what a given society or religious group impose on its members. In some circumstances, religious values are guided by the morals of a specified society, hence highlighting the fact that the existence of moral values and religious views are interdependent. The main topic of this paper is how religion influences morality and further highlights the effects of religious source of morality on community moral standards, the moral responsibility of religion, religious leaders and adherents on the society, the detrimental effects of religion and the steps that can be taken to enhance civilization. Further, this paper will discuss my opinion, which holds that morality depends on religion because most of the moral codes emanate from religious teachings and the judgment on moral behaviors is dependent on religious beliefs and teachings.
The body:
The influence of religious source of moral authority on society’s morality
In all societies, whether contemporary or ancient, moral standards were judged basing on the values that were dictated by the existing religious framework. As such, morality can never exist in a society that is devoid of religion. Different religious groups embrace one source of moral authority over the others. Muslim’s source of moral authority is the Quran, Evangelical Christians base on the bible; Roman Catholics derive their moral standards from the church doctrines while the Buddhists base on Buddha teachings. At this juncture, it can be argued that morality is dependent on the source of authority of a specified religious group and how the source’s reliability is judged.
How religion influence the moral standards on both secular and religious societies
Interestingly, non religious (secular ) societies and atheists are often influenced or adopt religious moral teachings and always refer to religion to develop their moral positions on controversial matters such as war and abortion. Further, any argument by atheist and critics against or in support of a specified moral issue is usually based on the support or opposition to religious norms or values. Even in cases where the religious position on moral issues are not accepted in non religious world or by atheists, the expectations that religion is valuable to highlighting moral issues prove that there is a common perception that there is a positive connection between morality and religion. Similarly, adherents of a specified religious group and religious leaders are usually expected to wield high moral standards and are often called to account for their deeds more readily if they fail to uphold the expected moral standards. For instance, a leading religious leader who engages in extramarital affair will be thoroughly scrutinized and condemned by the society than a popular secular musician who engages in the same. Generally, the society, whether religious or secular, usually uphold religion as an important institution that has beneficial effect on matters relating to social morality (Wainwright, 2005).
The importance of religious group’s advocacy in promoting and preserving positive moral standards
A major factor that compounds the fact that religion has a direct influence on morality is the actions of religious believers to vehemently stand against moral outrages and have been noted to strongly resist moral changes that go against the best interest of the society. For instance, religious pressure groups such as UK Christian action for research and Education (CARE) have been vocal against the increased advocacy for making assisted suicide legal. Basing on the religious group’s fight against laws or actions that contravene the moral codes such as respect for human lives, it is evident that there is a close relationship between moral values and religious values, with the religion having a great and positive influence on moral standards of a given society(Phillips, 1996).

Detrimental effects of extremely close link between morality and religion
Although religion has been attributed to be the major source and influence of morality, linking it closely to morality may pose a major problem to the well being of the society. This is because each religion has its own religious values and frameworks and one religion’s moral stand may be completely different from the other .As such conflicts may arise. There are some situations where a specified religion may have contradicting view on a given moral stand. For instance, the bible prohibits killing, which is against the values of the Ten Commandments, but at the same time, it supports the same moral issue when it allows Israelis to kill non Israelis. This contradiction clearly shows that religion cannot entirely be entrusted with the responsibility of being the custodian of the moral standards of the society. Morality can be upheld without religious belief, but its greatest influence emanates from religious framework. For example, America is a secular state, but most of the laws prescribed in the constitution were derived from the Christian moral codes. However, it has restricted its laws in such a way that there is minimal direct religious influence in the implementation of the laws, thus proving the fact that a close link between morality and religion can pose a big threat to the well being of the society (Phillips, 1996).
The effects of the relationship between religion and morality in promoting civilization
Despite the fact that religion and morality are two different concepts, their relationship has played a key role in influencing how people treat each other in the society. The relationship between morality and religion has played a key role in the current civilization that the world is enjoying .However, the contemporary world is facing a civilization crisis that requires careful and effective religious intervention in influencing morality. For religion to effectively assist in promoting values that enhance human good and promote life, a number of issues need to be accepted, pursued and understood by people of all religious inclinations. One of the objectives of religion is to overcome extreme individualism and the preoccupation of the supremacy of one’s community of orientation and origin. In this ...