In western countries, our law is prescribed by democratically elected bodies. Within such a system, law is inevitably modelled after the popular will, therefore so to is morality. What you have described is still a popularity contest, it's just a circuitous one. As for means testing moral precepts, I accept that this is a pragmatic view and a reasonable one. It's just not one I can share.
Ditto. I think our respective experts look quite different though. The experts I put the most stock in all wear vestments!
It's true that we've more knowledge, but not more wisdom or understanding. I won't paint our ancestors with one brush, particularly your brush of 'ignorance'.
In many ways, I think we're inferior to them.
Undoubtedly.
It's often said that sex makes men 'weak at the knees'. Knights would often refrain from making love to their wives if battle was looming. Many boxers still practice abstinence in the build up to fights. Frustration of all kinds can foster zeal. Religiosity is
infinitely more than just sexual frustration though!