Does Religion Do a Good Job Promoting Morality?

[Sunstone]

Do religions do a good job promoting morality? Do religious people tend to be more moral than non-religious people? Are religions in any way necessary to establish or promote morality? Do religions pretty much just follow the morality of the times, maybe lagging behind the times a bit?

[Papersock]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Do religions do a good job promoting morality?

Religion does a good job of telling everyone how they should behave.

Do religious people tend to be more moral than non-religious people?

Maybe? Probably not. They tend to do things that they think are more moral.

Are religions in any way necessary to establish or promote morality?

Nah. You can teach a secular view of acceptable behavior.

[Seyorni]

Perhaps religious proscriptions and fear of hell-fire inhibit anti-social behavior in people of low moral development, or people without a personal, internalized morality, but, from a historical perspective, it seems people are eminently capable of switching moral/religious proscriptions on and off like a light, as convenience dictates.

[Theocan]

Religion promotes just as much morality as it does promote intolerance.

[Mister Emu]

Does Religion Do a Good Job Promoting Morality?

Some more so than others, as I have said before Religion is not a homogeneous institution, every religion is different, and even the same religion can vary greatly depending on the person in the religion...

[Charity]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Do religions do a good job promoting morality? Do religious people tend to be more moral than non-religious people? Are religions in any way necessary to establish or promote morality? Do religions pretty much just follow the morality of the times, maybe lagging behind the times a bit?

Yes religion does a good job promoting morality.
I think that there are a lot of people both religious and non religious that possess good morals
I believe that it is necessary to have religions to help promote morality
I think most religions have morals that were taught years ago and are still correct and fit todays lifestyle....................

[Willamena]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Do religions do a good job promoting morality?

Better than you.

[Azakel]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Do religions do a good job promoting morality?

They can.....

Do religious people tend to be more moral than non-religious people?

No, I know plenty of non-religious people that are just has if not more moral then some religious people.

Are religions in any way necessary to establish or promote morality?

No, I know a good number of Atheist that are a lot more moral then some religious people.

Do religions pretty much just follow the morality of the times, maybe lagging behind the times a bit?

IMO it depends on the religion, that sect, and the people in them....so.....yes and no.

[tariqkhwaja]

Do religions do a good job promoting morality?
Yes. All of them. By and large religions are pretty united on moral teachings: do not lie, do not steal, no adultery, etc. There are some differences in the minor but morally most religions are united in their teachings.

Do religious people tend to be more moral than non-religious people?
Niether here nor there. Religious people at the time of the founder of religions, however, are always more moral than the rest of the populace, on average.

Are religions in any way necessary to establish or promote morality?
Yes. Atheism, in theory at least, can never establish morality and true sacrifice for the sake of justice.

Do religions pretty much just follow the morality of the times, maybe lagging behind the times a bit?
Moral standards of the times are usually messed up. That is another reason new Prophets come. They come and establish the moral values needed by the time. Moses (when Jews were bullied) said "Tooth for tooth and eye for eye". Jesus (when Jews were too hard-hearted) said "If someone slaps you offer the other cheeck".
However, I believe, the Quran gives the universal moral teaching that applies till the Day of Judgement. I challenge anyone to upgrade this: "Tooth for tooth and an eye for an eye but it is better to forgive given that forgiveness leads to redemption". Its perfect. Applicable as much then as it is now. As is every other statement in the Quran.