The Relationship Between Morality and Religion

Lesson Intentions

• I can describe the relationship between morality and religion.

• I have went over my homework and any particular worries about the course so far.

Todays TasksUsing Section 1. Heteronomy Answer questions 2,3 and 5.

Using Section 2. Autonomy Answer Questions 2 and 3.

Using Section 1. Religious Ethics or Ethics based on Religion. Answer questions 2 and 4.

Extension Read Section on Kantian Ethics in Morality and the Modern World Book.

Question 2 – Summarise Three Arguments in Support of Heteronomy

• Society is influenced by religious views e.g. the legal system is based on Christian ethics.

• The language used when discussing morality, is the same language you would use when discussing religion.

• Religion can motivate or inspire people to do good things. They may feel duty bound to a God.

• Autonomous decisions can be selfish, religion stops this. • Religion already laid out the principles of morality ‘love

thy neighbour’. Reasoned thinking on its own couldn’t do the same.

• Without a God anything can be acceptable. Religion has a set of moral absolutes, avoids moral relativism.

Question 3- Outline 3 Issues Raised by Heteronomy

• Religion can motivate people to do bad rather than good e.g. the crusades, Islamic terrorism.

• Religion can be accused if preventing improvement, rather than evolving we keep the same principles.

• Religion historically has been a barrier to scientific advancement e.g. Galileo.

• Religion can harm society in stopping medical procedures e.g. blood transfusions, contraception in stopping the spread of HIV and AIDS.

5. The Difference Between Absolutist and Relativist Moral Values

Moral absolutes are always either always right or always wrong. They are fixed and therefore should never be broken.

On the other hand, moral relativism argues that situations are never exactly the same. No universal rules can apply and each person should decide what is right or wrong.

2. Three Issues Raised In Moral Autonomy. • Inconsistencies even when moral beliefs are based on

religion. 1 piece of scripture can be interpreted differently by the same religion. (S)

• Inconsistencies in moral beliefs independent of religion. (A)

• People need to use reason and objectivity when making autonomous moral decisions.(S)

• Problem of free-will. If people make decisions motivated out of fear of God, is it really their decision? People lack responsibility for actions if ‘obeying God’. (S)

2. Three Issues Raised In Moral Autonomy. • Religions can also use their conscience rather than blindly

following decisions. (A)

• Due splits and branches of religion, people have to make a choice who to follow/use their autonomy. (S)

• An all-knowing (omniscient) and all-powerful (omnipotent) God knows what people are going to choose. God can prevent people from making a choice (Problem of FREE-WILL). In order to make our own decisions we have to be autonomous, not heteronomous. (S)

3. Ivan Karamazov said in Dostoyevsky’s novel “Without God, everything is permitted.” What do you think?

Agree • Use arguments in

support or Heteronomy (anything goes without instruction – this would be bad)

• Use Arguments against Autonomy.

Disagree• Arguments in

support of autonomy – people can make moral decisions

without a God.• Could argue that

even following a religion there are inconsistencies.

Agree/Disagree.• Some people

need religion in order to make moral decisions.

• Some people use religion as excuse.

2. Outline Three Problems Associated with Divine Command Theory.

• How can we know Gods commands? Difference between knowing and believing.

• Cannot verify whether God has commanded or not – everything is subjective.

• Assumes God exists, impossible to prove.

• How can we understand Gods commands? Which God to follow? Which sect of a religion is the true one?

4. Summarise the Key Aspects of Moral Values in Christianity.

• Use of scripture – the Bible. • 10 Commandments. • Teachings of Jesus and his interpretation of ‘Old

Testament’. • Examples:“Love thy neighbour as you love yourself”“Do to others what you would want them to do for you”• Different denominations will use different sources of

authority as their main guidance in making moral decisions.

• E.g. RC will use Vatican and Pope.