Religion and Morality — And Why Morality Is Not Nested In Religion
Background Information
Theists, such as Jordan Peterson, claimed that morality is nested in religion , and without it, people are inherently immoral, also known as Atheist. The moral high ground that these religious people simply take is astounding, because all we really have to do is a quick simple google search and multitudes of statistics would prove otherwise — that atheists are not immoral.
Statistics:
If we are to take a look at the top 10 countries with the highest crime rates, it is apparent that ALL of them are majority religious countries, and to an astonishing extend. 8 of which are predominantly Christian countries and 2 of which are predominantly Islamic States.
Let’s take a look at another source.
Statistics of religion in United States’ prisons compared to the general population of United States:
For every 1000 people in prison more than 555 are Christians(Protestants, Catholic, Jehovah’s Witness, Pentecostal, Eastern Orthodox, Churches of Christ, Mormon, and Apostolic) comparatively to 1 of Atheist’s. Whereas for every 1000 people in the general population, more than 750 are Christians and only 7 are Atheist.
For every 1000 people in the general population, Atheists have a 95.8% decrease as compared to the 26% decrease of Christianity in prison population. That is a staggering 69.8% difference. To put into perspective how huge 69.8% difference is, let’s take the average person’s IQ — 100, 49.9999999782 percentile, to give it a 69.8% increase would make him a genius of 169.8 IQ which is in the 99.9997885357 percentile . With that IQ, you can accomplish feats that ordinary people only dream of doing, join Mensa(that only accept the top 2 percentile), and many more.
Why is it then that religious people would commit acts, that is immoral, that put themselves in jail? Is it under the influence of the Bible? Perhaps they are sinners, perhaps they aren’t actually religious. Would God then free them of their sins because they believe in him while atheists that have never been in jail, nor commit crimes, put in hell?
What makes this argument even more compelling is that animals exhibit actions of morality, can we then, if morality is nested within religion, claim that animals are also religious? Perhaps it’s due to cognitive evolution which makes humans and animals moral, otherwise, why wouldn’t theists, to this day, endorse and act upon slavery, or the many other atrocities in many religious texts? Such as killing of infidels, misogyny, and even rape.
What about violent acts, such as wars and terrorism that have been fought and done in the name of religion? Are the perpetrators perhaps not religious? Just like Muslims claiming that ISIS aren’t real Muslims let alone fighting in the name for Allah. The Bible and many other religious texts, have condone such behaviors, telling believers to fight in the name of God.
Assuming you are fighting a war for ISIS, in the name of God, against opposing ideology, or killing non-believers, are you, then, moral for killing someone because God said so? Or if you are on the other fence, the general populace of Muslim, do you then reject Allah’s words to kill the non-believers? So who is there real Muslim here? Are both Muslim? If you then reject Allah’s teaching, and agree that killing non-believer is wrong, isn’t this proof of innate morality(there’s science backing innate morality too, it’s not just a random assumption).
If morality is nested within ONLY religion, like Jordan Peterson and many Theists acclaim, why is it that the top 10 countries with the highest crime rates are all religious, and by a significant margin too. It would also make sense for atheists, who have no morals nor ethics, to occupy the majority of prisons, but as far as we can see, from statistics, it is not the case. If anything, it would seem as though the average religious people are far more corrupted and wicked.
Conclusion:
I believe that not all Atheists are inherently immoral nor do I think that all Theists are moral. However, I believe that religion does more harm than good. From indoctrinating children into believing an existential being without any sort of evidence, to stop intellect pursuit(Galileo Galilei), people believing the world is flat, anti-vaxxers, and many more, these sort of beliefs stop us, as a society, to pursue what is true rather than what is comforting.
Here are just some quotes in the Bible and Quran that endorse morally reprehensible behaviors:
Slavery,
Luke 12:47–48 ESV
And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
Killing of non-believers:
Luke 19:11–27 NIV
But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them-bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”
Raping:
Zechariah 14:1–2 NAB
Lo, a day shall come for the Lord when the spoils shall be divided in your midst. And I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem for battle: the city shall be taken, houses plundered, women ravished; half of the city shall go into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be removed from the city.
Misogyny
Quran 4:34
Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband’s] absence what Allah would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance — [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted and Grand.
Quran 2:282
…and bring to witness two witnesses from among your men. And if there are not two men [available], then a man and two women from those whom you accept as witnesses — so that if one of the women errs, then the other can remind her
Pedophilia
Quran 65:4
And those who no longer expect menstruation among your women — if you doubt, then their period is three months, and [also for] those who have not menstruated. And for those who are pregnant, their term is until they give birth. And whoever fears Allah — He will make for him of his matter ease.
Violence
Quran 2:191
And kill them wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah is worse than killing. And do not fight them at al-Masjid al- Haram until they fight you there. But if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.
Quran 3:21
Those who disbelieve in the signs of Allah and kill the prophets without right and kill those who order justice from among the people — give them tidings of a painful punishment.
