Does a society need to have religion as the basis for morality?
In addition to the mistaken view that morality is inseparable from or impossible without a belief in one or more deities there is also that view which holds that religion and morality are not separable. Contrary to that position is that which holds not only that religion is separable from morality but that they must be separable. There are those who hold that the only real or workable basis for morality is separate from a deity or god or a belief in a god and spiritual realm and separable from religion itself. They go so far as to hold that even the deity or spirits are accountable according to a morality that exists apart from them. Even the deities or the single deity or the “god” are to be held morally accountable. Even the god or gods must follow the moral law. Three reasons why • morality is not of necessity linked to religion • religion is not of the essence of morality • why morality is separable from religion 1. Factual There are millions of people who participate in no religio
