Can basic principles of decency be taught without the introduction to religion?

Question: Can basic principles of decency be taught without the introduction to religion!?

The question speaks for itself!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Moral decency can be taught simply by instruction and example!.
The Ancient Greeks were the first to try to answer the question of how to lead a goodly life!. Some philosophies connected to religion and spirituality such as Plato and his Forms and Aristotle's Unmoved Mover!. Others were more concerned with 'the virtuous life' than the condition of the soul, and how to apply that to everyday existence!.
Immanuel Kant connects morality with freedom of choice; to do what is right despite exterior forces!.
Though basic principles of decency can be taught without the introduction of religion, there is one thing that you need to consider: Everyone needs a basis, or a reference for their moral beliefs!. This is something that they can look back to when making a decision, so that they may be guided in the right direction!. For most, religion acts as this base, and that is why it is important for morality!. If you do not introduce religion, you need to find a substitute for this base!. Be creative!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

At times, religion degrades decency and morality rather than promoting it!. No religion speaks against slavery and the bible and quran were used as excuses to try keep slavery operating!. Even though there were religious abolitionists, the slave-traders had a stronger argument if based on scripture!. This fact alone should show how religion isn't required and is at times even a hindrance to the progress of decency and human rights!.

A simple trap atheists have for theists:

Theist: "without an afterlife people have no reason to be good!. They'll become bad"!.
Atheist: "do you need a god's punishment to prevent you from killing, raping and stealing and to do good works!? If yes, then you're morally bankrupt!. If no, then religion's not needed"!.
Theist: "I get my ethics from religion, that's why I woldn't do it even if religion disappeared"
Atheist: "I get the same ethics without religion, so clearly religion isn't essential as you say!. You get to the location by car; I get to the location by boat!. Just because you got there by car doesn't mean you have to drive a car to reach the destination"!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Ethics predates religion!. Morality based upon religion is not a good way to measure decency!. The question plagues the religious, they believe that decency is not possible without divine intervention!. They have a history of committing every type of atrocity!. Then they say, they are forgiven, but not by their victims!. Ethical behavior is a cultural phenomenon, decency by being with decent people, culture restricted by law, not by church canon, but by assemblies!. Decency is taught by atheists, agnostics, and even right wing conservatives!. Decency is not the same as moral!. Immoral behavior is very decent behavior according to its adherents!. So laws are needed for cultural progress, but leaving such things to religion usually produces pogroms, inquisitions, and burnings!. Leaving such things to hard core pornographers is not useful either, the great middle of humanity is where things need to be kept!. Tolerance is the watchword of ethics!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I believe so!.
Decency and morals can be taught!.
Religon just gives a pre-determined structure, but it is not without its cons!.
Morals are not guaranteed with religion-as we can see from the world today!. also, religion tends to teach morals through fear!.

DO GOOD OR GOD WILL SEND YOU TO HELL!!

Is that really the basis of decency we want!?

If you have a child you want to teach morals, and through a religious base, I think the best way you can go is through Universal Unitarianism!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

I was brought up without any religion!. I was not brought up an atheist, religion is just not something that my family is big on!. I didn't go to church and I didn't pray before meals!. But my mother taught me how to respect others and the difference between right and wrong!. I have very strong morals and values that I have learned through my mother and the people in my life!. Growing up I knew lying, cheating, and stealing were wrong!. You can teach someone decency without even mentioning a god or gods!. You can teach someone respect without making them read and recite the bible!. Decency is taught, but it does not need to be taught through religion!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

hmmm, well amongst my friends, I'm one of the few who doesn't get stone drunk and high every weekend!. I'm also the most active in human rights coalitions all over campus!. I don't use women for sexual pleasures, I am well known as an ultimate proponent of loyalty towards friends, and moral dilemmas are what I think about while taking a crap every morning!.

I'm an atheist!.

I'll let you decide if I abide by the basic principles of decency!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Since religious dogma is designed to be as broad as possible, in order to get the most amount of people in the doors giving their tithes to support the organization, there are many contradictions!. Through the interpretation of these contradictions, we end up with moral rules that are not universal, thus can't be considered principles!.

For example, in the Bible, it's written "Thou shalt not kill," yet the same God who supposedly wrote that supported the Israelite murder of any tribe who did not follow their laws!. This is clearly a contradictory moral stance, and you can find evidence of this in a number of religious texts, not just the Judeo-Christian one!.

Due to the contradictions inherent in all religions and the resulting non-universal moral commandments, we can safely say that the basic principles of decency can ONLY be taught without religion!.

For a non-religious framework for judging the validity of moral theories, please see Universally Preferable Behavior: A Rational Proof of Secular Ethics at http://freedomainradio!.com/free/#UPB It's a free download of your choice of PDF, audiobook, or both!. Learn how to apply universal morality in order to understand your relationships with yourself, individuals around you, and society as a whole!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Oftentimes, religion dictates the norms on decency and morality!.Even in the most remote ages in the pre-historic and stone age times there seems to be sets of rules and standards on decency and morality!. Read on this link: meta-religion!.com/World_Religions/!.!.!./pr!.!.!.
It's only that what is decent on that time may be totally indecent or weird nowadays!.
I know of atheist group, and certainly they are decent; sometimes more decent than some christians that I've known!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I believe we are all born with the basic principles of decency regardless of religion and we choose to go against those principles!. Anger is the thing that breaks a man to become vile and disrespectful!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

G Religions sound good at the introductory level!. They all act usurous at the middle level, and dictatorial at the top!.
Where's the morality in that!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Only if the teacher knows how to make a point across to the students!. If our lives as conscious beings are not enough to teach someone fairness and decency I doubt the spirit, soul nor afterlife would mean anything to such a brute!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yes!. It's possible!.

Once we come to agree on:

a] what constitutes decency and

b] what constitutes religion!.

I would therefore be happy to receive these two details from you as soon as possible!.

Www@QuestionHome@Com

Why yes, it is as matter of treating someone as the same as you want to be treated!.Basic common courtesy!.Being polite,honest and helpful require no religion at allWww@QuestionHome@Com

They say that pride is the ultimate sin!. But everything is subjective, I guess!.

Everything!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yes, but religion adds more depth and gravity to the instruction!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I do not think decency can be taught!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

yes religion is just a tool that helps Www@QuestionHome@Com

YEaWww@QuestionHome@Com