Can there be morality without religion?

Contributed by: Sadaf Shaikh on 23rd Sept 2003 at http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/thepointofview

Often people consider religion and morality to be synonymous. That is, if a person is religious
(a follower of any civilized religion not only islam) then he will have morals. That in a way implies that those people who are Atheist for e.g have no morals?

By the same token, since a religion like islam places so much importance on morals and ethics, that should ideally mean that muslims should be the most moral and etchical people.

But if we look around us and observe OBJECTIVELY, we see that that is often not the case. I have personally come across some non-muslims and even some atheists who valued morality and ethics as a way of life more than the so-called upholders of morality.

Another thing that I would like to ask, which bothers me is the role religion plays in developing a moral sense in an individual. Because when I see people committing the most heinous acts in the name of upholding their religion or faith, I wonder what kind of morality are we talking about when the entity that is supposed to be the breeding ground of all morality breeds zealots capable of committing such acts??

Should we shun and disregard the moral efforts and works of people who don't believe in any religion, just because we happen to disagree??

Replied to by Umar Pirzada on 23rd Sept 2003 at http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/thepointofview

I think Yes religion does give some moral aspects to ones nature. Its only because I think personally being unbiased to other religions...every religion does give a way of life...no religion tells someone to lie or cheat on his wife as being ok.....quite a lot of sins do stand recognized as common between most religions.

In fact staying clear of the Islamic thought and talking about...early man for example, why would have religion come or some rules be there....as man grew he learned more I guess realized we should have some sort of rules and "Might is right" rules should be ended etc etc....just a thought....

But the question arises saying that are Atheists immoral....I really don't know abt that.....I mean do atheist lie and say that's ok ?....No expert on atheism but Atheists dont believe in God and believe that everything has a logical explanation....