Immanuel Kant said, “The categorical imperative pointed to God. The feeling that we ought to do something comes from God.” Kant also spoke of the Summum bonum – greatest good. He said that this couldn’t be achieved in this imperfect world so there must be another world so there must be another world where our immortal souls can achieve this. For Kant there is no morality without God because without God’s help the moral law cannot be satisfied.
Many philosophers say that feelings of guilt come from God. Joseph Butler said “conscience is our natural guide given to us by God”. St Paul agreed, “Conscience is the centre of the soul”.
Thomas Aquinas writing in the 13th centaury said, “natural law is a moral code existing within the purpose of nature created by God,” and John Henry Newman said “Moral laws had there origin in the will of God” and “there are clear objective moral laws which mean there must be a law giver i.e. God”.
Religion can help people have a sense of what is right and wrong. Even though Christianity is 2000 years old it is still a good guide on how to behave morally, A religious believer will behave morally because it is not in there eschatological interest not to – this means you will be punished in the next life.
Some philosophers say that atheists who do moral things have more dignity because they are making there own decisions to do something moral, and are not just following rules from God. However even some atheist teachings are similar to religious teachings. Most religious rules are based on treat other people how you would like them to treat you. The utilitarianism principle is that you should create the greatest amount of happiness and well being for the most people, which is similar to treat other people, how you would like them to treat you.
Humanists hold strong ethical beliefs, but deny any existence of a supernatural being. They often argue that religion can be bad for humanity, causing crusades and extremists, e.g. the terrorists who flew the planes into the twin towers.
Some religious people would argue that without religion what is the reason for being good? They would say that religion provides people with a reason to be moral, because if there were not God everything would be permitted or permissible.
Recent philosophers have identified religion as preventing the improvement of human civilisation. Bertrand Russell said “I Say quite deliberately that Christian religion, as organised in its churches, has been and is the principle enemy of moral progress in the world, Religion prevents our children from having a rational education; Religion prevents us from removing the fundamental causes of war; religion prevents us from teaching punishment. It is possible that mankind is on the threshold of a golden age; but if so, it will first be necessary to slay the dragon that guards the door, and this dragon is religion.’
Although god is the basis for a majoritory of world religions there are a few such as humanism that although they have a moral code the do not believe in a God. Many laws are still now based on religion. E.g. The British legal system is roughly based around the 10 commandments, which also form the basis for Christianity. In this sense the morality of society is based upon religion, although many of the society do not believe in God or a religion.
