Religion is necessary, but not sufficient, for morality

[Akita Suggagaki]

There is one school of Buddhist philosophy that suggests something close to this (Yogacara, the Mind-Only school of philosophy), but it's not a personal being because this storehouse consciousness is beyond personality. Most Buddhists historically have just considered this philosophy only to be of practical religious benefit, a religious phenomenology; Madyamika or Middle Way philosophy is considered superior in terms of metaphysics (where nothing can be said to exist absolutely).

I am reading Tahawa Shun'ei's book on it now, "Living Yogacara". I like the mind mapping but ..ultimately Nothing.

 

[Ana the Ist]

Both Christianity and Islam have produced successful cultures. But today, both fail. Islam failed some time ago and Christian nations are in obvious decline today. So what changed? The religious texts and early writings have not changed.

I think this is likely the answer you're looking for.

Religious texts do not change...the circumstances and therefore moral norms of society do...

I think someone young today sees the slavery rules, rules about marrying your brother's widow, no commandment against rape....and many other things and decides that whatever morality is found therein is outdated....and unnecessary for modern times.

Many believe they are going without those moral norms....but they are as inescapable as the judgement of others. Inevitably, some other moral system arises....regardless of whether it is better than the previous or worse.

 

[RDKirk]

I think this is likely the answer you're looking for.

Religious texts do not change...the circumstances and therefore moral norms of society do...

I think someone young today sees the slavery rules, rules about marrying your brother's widow, no commandment against rape....and many other things and decides that whatever morality is found therein is outdated....and unnecessary for modern times.

Many believe they are going without those moral norms....but they are as inescapable as the judgement of others. Inevitably, some other moral system arises....regardless of whether it is better than the previous or worse.

One atheist author wrote years ago that the only valid human moral dictates are those that enhance the survival of the species. That's akin to an Olympic athlete's rules for diet. It's not whether eating a Big Mac will hurt him, it's "Will it make me faster?" If it won't make him faster, it's immoral for him.

But...this view is also expressed in the New Testament. "Everything is permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything.”

 

[dlamberth]

Both Christianity and Islam have produced successful cultures. But today, both fail. Islam failed some time ago and Christian nations are in obvious decline today. So what changed? The religious texts and early writings have not changed. I believe that intelligence and morality has dropped for both cultural and genetic reasons.

Religions are failing today because they have not lived up to their own high standards, either moral or otherwise.