Is religion a prequisite to morality?
401871
No.  Morality CANNOT be based on God.  Does God command certain things should be done simply on a whim or does he command certain things are good or bad because they ARE good or bad?  If God commanded that it was good to go out and kill people would it be good?  Heck no!  Killing would still be bad.  Thus, good and bad cannot be based on God because God must use some kind of rationale to determine what is good and bad.  Why do we need God to figure this out?  It is perfectly logical that it is not a good thing to kill other people, so we do not need God to tell us that or determine any other moral questions.\n\nUse your mind.  It's much better than mindlessly following the bible like a sheep.
952425
Exactly! I ask that question all the time! \n\nWe don't need religion at all. But there are some of us like you and me who know what's right and wrong, and we live by certain principals and we are smart and use emotional intelligence to rationalize our thought processes. We are ethical people. A lot of people out there are not like us. So they do need some kind of religion to put them on the right path cause they are weak! these are not very smart people. They hardly think and that's why they are not ethical either.
683149
It is their foundation.  I sometimes wonder if arguing with someone about their core beliefs is moral.  if I ever convinced someone that they aren't going to Heaven, and the most powerful thing ever (God) doesn't love them, they would probably not feel good.  Of course, there are psychiatrists all over the world trying to convince people they are not God, or Jesus, or Napoleon, so I am immoral with company.
697186
I know a lot of people are moral without believing in God. \n\nBut for me, for most of my life I didn't have much of a backbone, and I'm fairly certain I would have fell into some vices because of peer pressure if it hadn't of been for that last thread of 'no, this is against my religion' keeping me away from it.\n\nThanks
131736
Religion sets out certain social rules and procedures which are essential for a civilized society. But the interpretation of these by individuals narrows the overall sphere to their knowledge on the religion. It is essential to follow the religion but not to the intrepretaions.
17995
My understanding of Religion, at least for a Monotheist point of view, is that religion is man's attempt to obey God.  \n\nFor me I am "Christian".  But my relationship with God is more important than how good of a Christian I can be.  I will always fail in pleasing both God and man.  But pleasing God is infinitely more important than pleasing man.  By accepting His grace and obeying His word, he is pleased.  If I can consistently do these things I will exceedingly satisfy my "religous" duties.\n\nSo to answer your question, I would say I do know what it talks about when it comes to my religion.  But only because I get my religous beliefs and practices from a reliable source, God.  And if I have any questions, I ask God not my religion.  Hope this answers your question.\n\np.s.  In no way am I an expert or claim to be an expert.  This answer is a result of what God has taught me through my relationship with Him.
951704
It doesn't require a belief in a supernatural god to have a conscience.  Most humans are born with a conscience that grows and develops in the early years.  Atheists and other non-theists try to do what is right because society works best when people do what they're supposed to do.  Anarchy is not in the best interest of anyone.\n\nAs for understanding the complexity of God: religion is clearly a very emotional experience.  Believers are every day pointing out that they don't believe because their minds tell them that God exists, but because they FEEL the love of God working in their lives.  Myself, reading the Bible stirs both my intellect and my emotions.  Much I can admire, but there is more that I find appalling.  Such immorality.  How can that be reconciled with the belief that God is love?  Both my intellect and my emotions reject the idea.
1054698
Being a n atheist does not mean we have no Morals .+\nAnswer:  About the same as  or a little less than Religious men.
1169983
Many religions have the concept of proselytising, which means it is their religious duty to 'save' or convert others to their faith. It doesn't matter if outside people are interested in their beliefs or not, or if in fact, they have their own code of morals or ethics. It's just part of the faitholder's religious duties. It does tend to numb the brain though, doesn't it?
551548
ABSOLUTELY.  Christians do not have a monopoly on morals.  There are Christians with and without them.  There are Atheists with and without them.\n\nNon-Christians includes Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and well......everyone not Christian!  Absolutely every human is capable of morality.
627028
Humans have an innate longing for meaning and purpose. Then as life continues, the need for hope, importance, and worth grow and consume us. Religion fills those needs. But God is not a religion. There is a difference between following a religion and having a relationship with God. Religion will not give you what you need...only God can do that. But you have to discover that for yourself.
871008
the law has developed to try to mainetain order and is based larely on what is acceptable to society and business. i do not believe religion has much part in it as many of the more morally based laws are fundermental and instinctive. for example murder is a criminal offence, it is moral but not just religious. laws should be based partly on morals but should also be based on common sense, and what is generally best for firms and society as a whole.
719797
No.  Morals developed out of religion.  Care and concern for human kind evolved from man's relationship with God.  While I realize it's a source of fanatical rampages, it's also a source of good in this world.  Without it, people would be a lot worse to one another.
144896
They don't need religion to be moral.  Religion is a tool used to control the masses.
1117989
What a sorry way to live life.  If god is so forgiving, he would applaud my free thinking attitude.  My actions in life define myself more than believing is something as ridiculous as a god that kills his own people and then says "thou shall not kill".  There's no reason not to have good morals, regardless of religious faith.  In fact, it seems that religion is inspiring more and more hatred and greed every day!  Those aren't Atheists strapping bombs around their waists and running into a crowd of people.
923410
I think you mean morality.  Anyway, religion is a means to support the ideas that gives one a reason for life.  A weakness, I say, but still a means to an end.  As well, religion gives the powers that be, especially in the past, a means of control.  Fear is your only god, and that is the message.  Don't do what we say, you suffer forever. Now that is a good selling point.  Religion is, as the quote says, the opium of the people.
907162
Religion is Man's interpretation of God's mind.  \n\nIt can be beauty exemplified, or vile in its ugliness.  It takes the soul and consecrates faith or rends discontent.  And it can inspire a person to perform the greatest deeds, or the most horrific crimes.  \n\nBut it will always be flawed.  The Mind of God is wholly unknowable.\n.