One common complaint about secularism is that religion and belief in God are prerequisites for morality, justice, and a democratic society. The basic premise here is that the only values which ultimately matter are those which are transcendent, and such values can only be perceived and understood through religious tradition and a connection with the divine.
It is strange that such a belief would be as common as it is, because religions and various types of theism have had literally thousands of years during which they could demonstrate that they could provide the basis for a just, moral, and democratic society. For the most part, they haven't done a very good job; on the contrary, religion is too often associated with immorality, injustice, and political repression
Although these failures do not prove that religion cannot help provide a basis for morality, justice and democracy, they do prove that such values do not naturally and immediately flow from religion - an important point which should discourage people from actively believing in the necessary connection between those values and either religion generally or their religion in particular.
Is Religion Necessary for Morality?
Is morality dependent upon the existence of any gods? There is no clear reason why we should believe such a thing. If we assume the existence of a god, even a god who has many of the traditional qualities of classical, philosophical theism, there are no particular moral values which we can derive from that premise.
Is Religion Necessary for Democracy?
Is democracy dependent upon religious beliefs, and specifically Judaism or Christianity? Many Americans appear to believe this very sincerely, but the logic and evidence for it is scanty at best. The best argument offered in favor of it is the idea that these religions teach that all humans are "brothers" and equal in the eyes of God. This, then, is supposed to lead us to the conclusion that we should also be brothers and equal in the eyes of the government, meaning a democratic and just state.
Are Humans Unable to Establish Morality & Democracy?
One of the principle arguments used in support of the idea that things like morality and democracy should be based upon God and religion is that these provide reliable sources of transcendental, absolute, and eternal values. Basing morality and democracy on humans, however, is a risky affair because of the relative and temporary nature of our own values.
« Religion & Religious Beliefs | Is Religion Necessary for Morality? »
