Document handout for Chapters 5 and 6

Why Not to Use Religion to Prove a Moral Argument

There are so many “hot-button” concerns currently at the forefront of our thinking, often related to what are commonly known as “moral values”: racism, sexism, homophobia, gay marriage, abortion—the list is long. Many arguments have been advanced regarding these issues, and we can’t help but discuss them in the light of our own value systems, which, in our own opinions, make them perfectly valid and, for us, settles the disagreement.

The problem with some disputation, however, is that the argument is made on the basis of one’s religious belief, some of the most common being, “Because God said so,” or “Because my religion (or my Scripture) says so.” While faith can certainly inform one’s opinions, there are several reasons why it is really best to base a moral argument on something other than religion.

• Not everyone shares the same faith. Our great, and eclectic, nation
welcomes devotees of every religious tradition. Which faith is correct? Why
is one religious tradition more “correct” than any other? Why would one set
of scriptures take precedence over another?

• Whose “God” is the “best” god? There are monotheistic (one god),
polytheistic (many gods), and non-theistic (no god) religions. How does one
determine which god, if any, is the best authority to determine everyone’s
moral values?

• Some people are atheists, or non-theists. How does one justify one’s
religiously-based argument to someone who holds to no religious, or perhaps even spiritual, belief? Why would their moral arguments be invalid?

• Would one’s religious beliefs compromise the autonomy (personal
independence) of someone else?  Would we want someone else’s religious
beliefs to dictate our own moral values?

• Religious beliefs frequently seem to be manipulated to validate one’s own
prejudices. Examples abound of scriptural passages being interpreted out of context. Sadly, the religion one knows the least about is often one’s own.
Fear of questioning one’s religion often equates with fear that one’s religion
cannot withstand questioning.

• Can the existence, or nonexistence, of a deity, of any religion, be proven?
This is probably the most significant question, and the simple answer, on both sides, is no. One can offer all manner of “evidence” (the complexity of
nature, for instance), but this “evidence” is based on faith; no tangible proof
exists either way. Faith is a strong belief in something, or someone, usually
sans logical substantiation.

The most important question to ask ourselves when using religion to proffer a “moral” argument is: Can my argument be universalized? Can everyone agree that my reasoning is the most sound, according to my idea of moral values, based on my religion alone?

I always tell my students to consider all possible sides of an issue, and to do their utmost to disprove their own argument before offering it as a valid and indisputable position.  It’s often uncomfortable, and it often forces them to reevaluate their own opinions, but it also provides the best foundation for finding common ground, particularly where complex moral arguments are concerned. We all belong to humanity, and every human,
and every human’s opinion, is valuable.