Can one live a moral life without religion?

1. 61

   Karleposted 13 years ago

   Definitely. As a whole I believe we are all smart enough to develop our own morals and beliefs and not rely on a religion to tell us what our morals should be!

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   penelopaeposted 13 years ago

   Yes, but not without God, or some sense of spirituality.

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   Sunil Gautamposted 13 years ago

   According to my view, most of the people may not live a moral life without religion.But, some could live by following the path of HUMANITY it as their religion.

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   Kathleen Cochranposted 13 years ago

   Yes.  And I believe God will judge you by whatever standard you choose - whether it's a religion or not.  Which is why I choose grace.  I can't measure up to the standards of any religion even living a moral life.

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   mirza shahzadposted 13 years ago

   I don't think so. The religion gives a code of conduct which one must follow for better standards of Morality. On the other hand we have Nature. Our actions should not be against natural Laws. I cannot live moral without religion and without Natural Law. I need the both.

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   autumn18posted 13 years ago

   I fully believe that a person can live morally without religion. I see it all the time and I've also seen religious people show some very immoral behavior.

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   cheatlierepeatposted 13 years ago

   Yes! I grew up in a very religious family which gave me a very strong view on "practicing" religion. Without getting into the whole twisted view I will say it boils down to, for me, what's in a persons heart. I've know people who attend church on a regular basis but aren't very moral people and I also know people who don't practice religion who are angels on earth.

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   smilingjimdicksonposted 13 years ago

   I do not believe in god, never have done. Does that make me immoral, I certainly hope not. I live my life trying to be helpful, looking after my fellow man, ensuring that those around me come to no harm and I do it honestly. Strange question!!!

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9. 71

   eye sayposted 13 years ago

   I believe so.
   
   If a child feels safe, is loved, shown kindness, and respect, they will have the ability to do the same with or without religion; that is learned behavior.
   
   I believe at our core, the inner most side of our actual self, we know and believe the very basic life principle which is, in simplest terms, treat others the way you want to be treated.
   
   If we can live by this standard we can be nothing but moral. No one wants to be hurt physically, mentally or emotionally. Everyone wants help if they need it and be free to ask. Helping people transmits a wonderful energy that is contagious and we would spend our time giving more if not for societal pressures.
   
   I believe that many of the immoral actions and communications of adults are a result of children, not being given enough love, kindness, respect or security. I also believe that we live in a society that targets distracting the population so the masses will be neglectful, be lazy, not want to be educated, not have time to take care of their families properly, will forget what true love, intimate love is. The combination of the media targeting and the lack of attention in the home is deadly.
   
   I do believe the pendulum is swinging back to a more moral society with or without religion.
   
   The young people I have talked to in my world although come across as "cool", when you talk to them one on one, are very down to earth and have good morals and judgment.
   
   I also believe that the fact that there are so many divorced parents that a lot of kids want to be careful and not rush into anything that resembles a serious relationship until they are older and very ready.
   
   that's my 2 cents ... good question btw
   
   Which brings us back to the original question and my answer is yes.

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    Brian Weekesposted 13 years ago

    Yes I believe that you can have a moral live without religion. And I say that even though I believe in God. I have met a lot of non-religious people who are very active in the community and have strong ethics. There is a myth in the world that all religious people are weak and need a crutch. Thats baloney. I have met some very strong people who believe in God and I have also met some weak people who don't. (and vice-versa). Most religions are about a lot more than just morality though.

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    xethonxqposted 13 years ago

    I completely believe someone can have a moral life without religion. Religion can help shape morality, but religion is not the be all, end all on creating or maintaining morality. Ultimately morality comes from within after one experiences all sorts of life lessions...from many different areas.

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    Spencer Camusposted 13 years ago

    I once had a debate about this. Only light hearted, mind.
    
    I claimed you could live a moral life without religion. I really can't see how this isn't possible.
    
    The argument put  to me, that I couldn't argue around, was that having been brought up in a country with centuries of Christian relgious roots and culture, the moral code I employed, whilst not necessarily religious in itself, was a moral code inherently Christian in its nature.
    
    I can see the sense in this, and I suspect it could hold true for many non-religious people from other countries and cultures.

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13. 61

    shadowprancerposted 13 years ago

    I have never attended church, nor do I believe in any specific religion and I have led a moral life. Often people are surprised when I tell them I am not religious. In fact it offends me when they are surprised because they tell me that they assume anyone who does not follow a religion is an immoral and 'bad' person, something that I am not. The assumption that anyone who is not religious is an immoral person is yet another stereotype.

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    Philanthropy2012posted 13 years ago

    A lot of people will argue that a far more moral life will be lived without religion!

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    firesisleposted 13 years ago

    Morality is more closely connected to spiritual beliefs than to religion itself.  Buddhism is a philosophy and a lifestyle, but not a religion, yet it promotes ethical, moral behavior, and respect for all things. 
    
    Religion, any religion, is basically a template for spiritual growth, based on preconceived rules and beliefs, many of which may be unrelated to morality itself, and centered more on faith.
    
    In the end, a moral life only requires that a person know what is right and what is wrong, and act accordingly...

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    liftandsoarposted 13 years ago

    Yes and no.  The Scriptures teach that God's grace enables all human beings to do good things despite their natural bent toward evil.  It rains on the just and the unjust.  So, yes, I'm grateful I don't have to check a doctor's spiritual credentials before allowing him to operate on my body or my broker's religious convictions before entrusting him with my money.
    
    On the other hand, morality never got anyone into favor with God. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  And in another place, "Whatever is not of or from faith is sin."  The point is that God looks at the heart and finds us all wanting.
    
    There was a young vip who came to Jesus asking what good thing he could do to win God's favor.  Jesus asked if he'd kept all the commandments.  The man answered that he'd kept them all from his youth.  "Well then," said Jesus, "go sell all your goods, give to the poor and come follow me." We're told the man went away sad.  Jesus had exposed that all his morality had been self-serving rather than form faith... and thus it was sin.

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17. 63

    Ramsa1posted 13 years ago

    Religions were invented to control people. One does not need religion to lead a moral, good, and decent life. Many "religious" people have done truly horrible things.

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    rajan jollyposted 13 years ago

    Never thought of this way. I have always believed in religion ever since I understood what it said and stood for. So I guess I would say religion teaches us to lead a life with morals

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    Brian Burtonposted 13 years ago

    One of the most moral people I ever knew was not religious at all.  By all accounts, he did right by everyone.  Was so moral in fact, he carried this to the point of never breaking any laws.  Not even speeding.  We couldn't stand to ride in the car with him because when the speed limit said 55, this guy would drive no more than 55.
    
    He was great to his kids, wife, friends, and employees.  Just an honest and simple man.
    
    Although, maybe his religion was his morals?
    
    Great question.

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20. 59

    limocarsposted 13 years ago

    Yes one can live a life,but not a moral life. Without religion life is like a animal without cage or chain.

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21. 0

    MP50posted 13 years ago

    I do believe Jesus is who he claims to be.
    
    I am not religious.
    
    I do not believe in the commercial Church, nor the Commercial Bible.
    
    I just believe in Jesus.
    
    Love, Peace and Harmony to all.
    
    MP50.

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    LORD ENKIposted 13 years ago

    Absolutly YES.Religon organizes a belief system.Religon is great if one wants to controll the masses and don't forget the almighty dollar.Just look how much money the catholic church is worth!Most of all MORE PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THE NAME OF GOD THAN ANY OTHER CAUSE SINCE WE WROTE HISTORY!LAST the golden rule if truly applied.Do unto others as you would have them do unto you is the best most rewarding and fulfilling life you could ever have.YOU DON'T NEED RELIGON!!!

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23. 59

    bearstateposted 13 years ago

    Yes, but you'll find that many of our "morals" are based on old vestiges of religions, even if the person themselves is NOT religious.

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24. 38

    Borsiaposted 13 years ago

    There is really no connection between the two.
    The most moral people I have known in my life have been atheists, including some Buddhist who are atheistic.
    If you read the Bible the Christan god wasn't particularly moral.
    It condoned and if fact practiced slavery, adultery, murder, blood sacrifice, and robbery among other things.
    Religions are all about power and wealth. They seek to control others with words and if that falls short with swords. Nothing moral there.
    Consider that atheists are moral because it is the right thing to do. Religions push their morals solely as a means of control and to garner wealth and fame.
    Oh now I see that this is an old post, don't know why such old questions pop up in new searches but having already typed this I will post it to avoid wasting cyber ink.

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    mintimoposted 13 years ago

    Of course someone can live a moral life without religion. Just because some people were raised to do right by others and be respectful and things of that nature doesn't mean they are obligated to have some sort of religious belief system. Some people can have morals just because they feel its the right thing to do and not worship anything because they are logically against it. Morals and religion in most cases do go hand in hand but there are some people who can live righteously and have morals without believing in any religious system.

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26. 64

    Pikachusifposted 13 years ago

    Of course. There's really not much else to be said about this. Many influential and important people in history have had no religion at all, and as an atheist myself, I would greatly disagree with the fact that you're a bad person if you have no religion.
    
                             -'Nuff said, Pikachusif

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27. 60

    flowmeterposted 13 years ago

    Yes for sure they can. They can follow all the best things they see in others and reject the worst things.

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28. 69

    cherrieficposted 13 years ago

    Living a moral life is not always about having a religion. There are many people who are active with their religion can be qualified as immoral. It always depends on you if you will lead a moral life or go in a different direction.

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    augeposted 13 years ago

    Religion is one of the main sources to teach people morality and to control them. In my opinion, religions are very precisely created money - poeple control machines. If a person is tought about morality in other ways, not religion, but with examples, it is ok. But that is not so easy, becouse believing in something is in our blood and it is the best way to live a moral life.

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30. 72

    thecoffeewriteposted 13 years ago

    Yes. We are spiritual beings religious by nature. Since the term is defined as something we do regularly, being religious has less value than being spiritual or moral

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31. 71

    platinumOwl4posted 13 years ago

    yes, it is very possible to live a moral life without religion. All you have to do is look around. Everywhere you look there is someone speaking about religion. The world is a war and for what? because some people think their religious order is superior to someone else's. Yet, it they would take the time and do some research a great discovery will cause them to re-think their ideology. We are surrounded by  so-called religious and observed the level of crime from the lowest to the highest social level of society. If they are religious I would not adhere to this type of religion of degeneration.

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32. 0

    writeronlineposted 13 years ago

    Of course. You only have to look at the truth of the converse , (an immoral life, although religious) to see that morality and religion have no cause and effect functionality.

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33. 77

    CZCZCZposted 13 years ago

    Sure someone can be morally right and lacking a belief in a religious deity.  Being a good person, acting each and every day with good morals is not synonymous with being a follower of a religion.  Historically there have been morally good relgious people and non religious people just as there has been hideous poor morals religious people as well as evil non religious people.  The belief in a specific deity does not inherently make a person good or evil it just means they believe in something that is unseen.

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34. 64

    oknoposted 13 years ago

    it is possible but the durability is the problem. Again is better for your moral life lead you to eternal life

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35. 61

    ajuvrposted 13 years ago

    what is moral by one religion is taken immoral by man of different religion ; gone into human brain block.Do away with abusive ethnicity , territory and religion.
    http://causeunique.weebly.com

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    ehow101posted 13 years ago

    you don't have to belong to any religion to lead a moralic and good life. If you have personal values and always try to act good you can definitely be a great person without any religion.

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    techfreakworldposted 13 years ago

    I think he can if he got the humanities instead of religion.

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    bharmoriatposted 13 years ago

    of course , one can live a moral life without religion
    morality has nothing to do with religion. morality is all about being a good person. religion can be a motivator at best. in fact it seems like religion was created to make people moral (fear of god and the lure of heavens). but if we search , we will find many immoral people hinding behind religion. the strict orthodox punishments in the name of god can never be justified on moral grounds.

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    Jaggedfrostposted 13 years ago

    Lol asking children the riddles of the ages. Could the works of the moral be accomplished  by the irreligious? Why not? But why are the moral, moral? Is it not thier view of life, death, and god as they know him or her? If one has no higher power to look to will they feel so motivated? Probably not. In addled utopia maybe. Seeing men and women as they are and as they have been for the last six thousand years of recorded history, which springs forth a plethora of evidence, it is counter to human nature to behave as those with firm religious mind sets if they are isolated from those having such thought.

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    Tabieeposted 13 years ago

    Probably not! Without religion you are just an animal outta cage. The one who created this world can suggest best ways of living and that's what religion is! So I think those Nations which are going away from religion, you can see their moral decline..

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    Anesthesiologistposted 13 years ago

    Yes. Some of the most humanitarian minded people in the world are not religious.

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    fred allenposted 13 years ago

    I've read a number of replies to this question and have a question of my own. What is morality? Who establishes it? For some it is completely within their moral boundries to do many things that others would consider immoral. Without an absolute standard who can say with complete authority one standard is correct while another is not? The real question is "Can there truly be an absolute moral standard without invoking a divine authority?" Without this divine authority morality becomes a matter of relativism.

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    Sottwayposted 13 years ago

    I certainly believe so!
    
    I believe that religion is just an abstract of our imagination, it was created by us for us which is one of the most important creations of mankind (other than language)!
    
    Also, I do believe that without religion we'd collectively be worse off than we are now - but we raise morals through what our peers deem as what we should or shouldn't do and we relate to it.
    
    I don't think we need religion for a moral life, but it helps

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    hubber088posted 13 years ago

    Yes you can. Even though I myself am religious, I still believe you can live a moral life without religion. My grandfather is a great example of this. I don't know if he has ever told a lie in his life and he is an atheist or agnostic; I don't know which. He lives his life by a code in which he created I guess through life experiences and thinking. Religion is a tool to help us live a moral life and if you can live a moral life without religion I still feel like you are a good person.

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    MrUnderhillposted 13 years ago

    yes. A better question would be: "Is possible to moral and religious?"

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    Norine Williamsposted 10 years ago

    Yes!  Probably more than one who is "religious," because "religion" has been established by "men" not filled with the Holy Spirit!  Morals and values have nothing to do with Christianity!  Christianity is a "believer" of the "truth" in Jesus' Doctrine and not what man has interpreted it to be! If one has been raised in an environment and was taught kindness, treating everyone the way they want to be treated, not to lie, live by society's rules, etc., they are probably a lot moral than those who proclaim "religion!"

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    Gyanendra Mocktanposted 8 years ago

    Yes, I'm trying to live a moral life without religion? During these past five years, I've been trying to rediscover myself.  Thank you. Yes, I can understand life without region is very painful. But I have found out that it is possible. Thank you.

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       Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Keep searching!  You'll eventually find out who your CREATOR is! 
       There's NO OTHER WAY for we must ALL go back to THE SPIRIT from whence we came!
       Death is inevitable!

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