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In reply to the discussion: Morals are based on empathy not religion [View all]Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)132. I think most of it started as a means of control.
The Big 3 desert-originated monotheisms largely stomped down many female-centric goddess religions and also turned their back on nature.
If they had stuck to the "do unto others" and that was the basic theme, it would have been fine. But they are all loaded down with harmful crap that has brought untold misery to the planet for centuries.
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And it is only their religion too not even just being religious . They like to decide what is
lunasun
Aug 2014
#5
But if you base your morality on fear of Hell, and your "good works" on getting you into Heaven,
maddiemom
Aug 2014
#46
Most religions, especially chritianity offer a smorgasboard of morals allowing believers to
A Simple Game
Aug 2014
#90
That secular=immoral bullshit was just posted in an OP on good ol' progressive DU.
Arugula Latte
Aug 2014
#10
Absolutely. There is now plenty of social cognitive neuroscience to back you up on this. n/t
RufusTFirefly
Aug 2014
#13
What if we figured out a drug that we could give to people to make them feel empathy.
Yavin4
Aug 2014
#22
re: "We've seen devoutly religious people commit all manner of horrific acts"
thesquanderer
Aug 2014
#14
“Kindness should become the natural way of life, not the exception.” ― Gautama Buddha
Tierra_y_Libertad
Aug 2014
#15
I think Abe Lincoln said: "When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That's my
rhett o rick
Aug 2014
#29
Correct! I'm not religious. As I've explained in RL, I don't get my morals from religion, I
ChisolmTrailDem
Aug 2014
#31
I hope there are other factors to depend on beyond either religion or empathy
TheKentuckian
Aug 2014
#35
You're correct. The lack of empathy is very apparent in people like Huck.
sinkingfeeling
Aug 2014
#37
Empathy is subjective. Morality, if it has any claim upon a person, is not. nt
Nuclear Unicorn
Aug 2014
#40
And what does that tell you about some religions where everywhere in their texts it....
Tikki
Aug 2014
#44
I don't quite agree, but yours is a lot closer to my point of view than Ayn Rand's nonsense
Jack Rabbit
Aug 2014
#54
Socialism existed in various human societies around the globe long before Karl Marx
Yavin4
Aug 2014
#60
Here's religious "morals." Group suicide of more than 900 people, Jonestown:
blkmusclmachine
Aug 2014
#55
The human species has survived because of cooperation. From birth, we're dependent
valerief
Aug 2014
#65
I think morality is innate in the human heart, something everyone is born with.
Voice for Peace
Aug 2014
#69
I totally agree with the OP however comparing Japan to the US on this issue
snagglepuss
Aug 2014
#92
organized religion has never been about morals, it is about convincing the masses to
whereisjustice
Aug 2014
#74
Bollocks. All religions talk a good talk but where is that stellar empathy when
snagglepuss
Aug 2014
#93
A big argument between men. Where's the voice of women? That said I do esteem the value
snagglepuss
Aug 2014
#130
We definitely should abolish faith-based funding and there s/b no restrictions
valerief
Aug 2014
#100
If you want to prove it, just ask a relgious person why they don't stone their neighbor for
Marr
Aug 2014
#101
Empathy is what Christianity's "Golden Rule" tries (and fails) to inculcate.
SunSeeker
Aug 2014
#105
I'd agree. Some of the most Christian people I have met aren't Christians.
raouldukelives
Aug 2014
#114