Role Of Religion In Morality

Morality and Religion

Does religion play an important role in Morality? Is religion the reason behind truly knowing the difference between what is right or wrong? Everyone has their own opinion over this matter. Some people will argue that religion is highly essential while others believe it has nothing to do with the way people express their moral behaviors. Sam Harris claims religion does not play an important role in morality; however, he is incorrect religion is essential in truly understanding morality.

A study by Paul Bloom proves Sam Harris is incorrect by demonstrating that religion does influence moral behaviors. After his study, Bloom concluded that “ religious people tend to be more generous toward charities than non-religious people… we see different religious acts of generosity and kindness depending on the type of religious practices people are participating in” (Wood). Religion causes people to express certain moral behaviors because they believe that God knows all that is right or wrong. The fact that people are taking

For example, if you walk by a drowning baby will you save it? Both parties answered “yes”. What role does religion play in this case? Many say this is a prime example that religion is not needed to know what the right thing to do would be. If both nonreligious and religious chose the same answer then this must mean people are capable of knowing the difference between right or wrong. In this case, people know that saving the baby the right thing to do because it is a helpless human being incapable of saving itself from dying. This would be a case where people are able to decide what the right thing to do all on their own without any need of religion. Although religion plays a huge role in understanding morality it is not needed in all decisions of what is right or