Category: Ethics & Morality
Introduction
One of the most persistent and dangerous myths perpetuated by religious institutions is the claim that morality depends on belief in God. Without religion, they argue, society would spiral into chaos, lawlessness, and despair. This fear-based narrative underpins much of the resistance to secularism and atheism. But is it true? Can moral order exist independently of divine authority? This article confronts that question head-on and dismantles the false dichotomy between religion and morality.
The Theistic Claim
At the heart of the religious moral argument is the assertion that God is the source of all objective morality. Without Him, there are no ultimate standards by which to judge good and evil—only subjective preferences. William Lane Craig, a prominent Christian apologist, famously said:
“If God does not exist, then objective moral values and duties do not exist.”
This view implies that atheism leads to moral relativism, where actions like murder or theft are wrong only because society deems them so, not because they are intrinsically wrong. It’s a powerful rhetorical device, often used to cast secularism as ethically hollow.
Historical Blindness
This claim quickly collapses under the weight of history. Religious texts—from the Bible to the Quran—are replete with moral prescriptions that modern readers find abhorrent: genocide, slavery, misogyny, stoning for adultery, and death for apostasy. Sam Harris pointed out the absurdity of deriving ethical principles from such books:
“The moral landscape of the Bible is a desert of cruelty… it is not a guidebook for modern ethics.”
Throughout history, atrocities such as the Inquisition, the Crusades, and Islamic jihad were carried out with divine sanction. If religion were truly a moral compass, we would expect its moral teachings to be consistent, progressive, and universally humane. They are not.
Secular Morality in Action
Contrary to the theistic narrative, some of the most peaceful, equitable, and compassionate societies on Earth are also the most secular. Scandinavian countries—like Sweden, Denmark, and Norway—routinely top global indexes for happiness, gender equality, lack of corruption, education, and public trust. Yet belief in God is among the lowest in these nations.
According to the World Values Survey and Pew Research, countries with lower religiosity tend to score better on indicators like human rights, rule of law, and economic transparency. Clearly, moral order does not collapse in the absence of religion—it flourishes.
The Evolution of Empathy
Moral instincts are not exclusive to humans, and certainly not to the religious. Studies in evolutionary biology and primatology have shown that many animals display rudimentary forms of morality—empathy, fairness, cooperation. Frans de Waal, a renowned primatologist, has documented such behaviours in chimpanzees and bonobos:
“Morality is older than religion. It predates humanity’s capacity to formulate gods or scriptures.”
This suggests that morality is a natural product of social evolution, not a divine implant. As social animals, we evolved to care for others, to discourage harm, and to reward cooperation—all essential traits for communal survival.
Reason as a Moral Compass
Rather than relying on ancient dogmas, secular morality depends on reason, evidence, and empathy. It is rooted in the understanding that other beings suffer like we do, and therefore deserve consideration. Philosophers from Kant to John Stuart Mill have developed robust ethical systems without invoking a deity.
Christopher Hitchens dismantled the moral monopoly claimed by religion in a single phrase:
“We are not moral because we are commanded. We are moral because we can empathize.”
When morality is grounded in human well-being, it becomes dynamic, adaptable, and universally applicable. It moves forward with new knowledge, not backward into sacred texts.
The Danger of Religious Morality
Religious morality is often rigid, tribal, and exclusionary. It creates in-groups and out-groups, where only the faithful are fully human. It can justify cruelty in the name of obedience—whether it’s denying medical care to children in favour of prayer, or murdering cartoonists who offend a prophet.
This is not hypothetical. In countries governed by religious law, women are second-class citizens, LGBTQ+ people are criminalised, and apostates are executed. Morality here is not about human flourishing; it’s about enforcing doctrinal purity.
Atheism and Responsibility
Far from being a threat to morality, atheism invites personal accountability. Without the crutch of divine forgiveness or the illusion of divine justice, we must confront the consequences of our actions directly. As Richard Dawkins observed:
“Do you really mean to tell me the only reason you try to be good is to gain God’s approval and reward, or to avoid his punishment? That’s not morality, that’s just sucking up.”
Atheists do good not because they fear hell, but because they care about others. That is a deeper, more honest foundation for ethical behaviour.
Conclusion: Ethics Beyond Faith
The collapse of religious authority in moral matters is not a cause for alarm—it is an opportunity. A secular moral framework based on compassion, rationality, and human rights is not only possible but preferable. We no longer need to ask what ancient priests said was good; we need only ask what reduces harm and promotes well-being.
Morality doesn’t come from above. It comes from within—and it belongs to everyone.
References & Suggested Reading
- Hitchens, C. (2007). God Is Not Great. Atlantic Books.
- Dawkins, R. (2006). The God Delusion. Bantam Press.
- Harris, S. (2010). The Moral Landscape. Free Press.
- De Waal, F. (2006). Primates and Philosophers. Princeton University Press.
- Pew Research Center. (2019). The Future of World Religions.
- World Values Survey (2023). Global Cultural Values Dataset.