Morality

[Ace Otana]

Hi everyone, first post and not sure which topic area to put this in, or forum etiquette, its not really a question but something for discussion, but here it goes.

Its basically a concept I have been grappling with for a while. For those of us who aren't religious or live in secular societies, it would appear that their is a significant correlation with the decline in morality, and the decline in religion. In the past In my country, Christianity provided a "moral guideline" if you will for how we should live our lives. And through the fear of hell, or living in religious society or whatever, it kept people in line/ under control through these guidlines. It would appear that as people have lost faith, their moral standards have declined dramatically, many adopting a mentality of "why". That is to say, "why is it wrong" "why shouldn't I behave like this" "why should you tell me whats right and wrong". Which from an atheistic/agnostic viewpoint, it is very difficult to tell them otherwise, as if there is no God and if religion is a farce, then who is to say that the way they are living/behaving is wrong?

Going to have to disagree quite strongly. More secular societies are actually far more peaceful than religious ones. More law biding and productive. Sweden has a 85% non-religious population, and it's ranked as one of the top most peaceful nations in the world. Very religious nations and societies have been found to be quite violent and dis-orderly.

Morality does not come from religion. I've never committed a single crime throughout my life, maybe one little mistake as a very young lad but that's all and yet I've never been religious. Atheist all my life.
Teaching right from wrong isn't too difficult.
Like how my uncle taught his kids. When his kids vandalise property, he damages their property then asked them "how do you like it when it's done to you?". He's with the 'treat others how you would like to be treated' approach. Works. If your kids destroy property, destroy some of theirs. Or sell it to cover the damages.
I used to throw stones at cars as they drove by when I was little, till I learnt how to put myself in their shoes. I saw the wrong and corrected myself. Never was religion required, only for the weak minded.
So no, the decline of religious influence does not cause the sense of morality to decline also. Intelligence is the best form of morality, not fear.