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Global Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Vol.6, No.9, pp.42-53, September 2018
___Published by European Centre for Research Training and Development UK (www.eajournals.org)
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THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RELIGION AND MORALITY: ON WHETHER
THE MULTIPLICITY OF RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS HAVE IMPACTED
POSITIVELY ON SOCIO-ETHICAL BEHAVIOR
Emmanuel Kelechi Iwuagwu (Ph.D)
Department of Philosophy, University of Calabar. Calabar, Nigeria
ABSTRACT: Morality until recently has been seen as a brainchild of religion and thus an
essential part of religion from which it is inseparable. This assumption has even led some
scholars to hold that there can be no morality without religion since morality is intrinsically a
part of religion. It is therefore assumed that a religious person is essentially a moral person
and that a moral life may not be possible without religion. If this assumption is upheld it will
mean that with the multiplicity of major religious denominations the world will be a better
place. Whether this is so is an issue that elicits fierce divergent views among scholars and
people of various orientations. This works critically examines the relationship between religion
and morality to determine whether the above claims and expectations are justified. Employing
the philosophical tools of critical analysis, exposition and evaluation of facts experientially
acquired as well as information from the works of researchers on the issues of religion and
morality, the work examines whether there is a definitional relationship or connection between
religion and morality and whether they are related through their concerns, preoccupations or
constituent elements. This connection was not seen. The work further examined the opinions of
scholars with regard to their relationship as well as what the consequences will be if ethics
depends on religion. In trying to find out the root of the assumption the work critically
examined the contentious issue of the impact of the multiplicity of religious denominations on
socio-ethical behavior. In conclusion the work decried the lack of synergy between morality
and religion, holding that though there may be no definitional connection between them and
their concerns, preoccupations and constituent elements may differ, morality and religion are
complimentary in forging a better society. If they synergize their efforts the world will be a
better place.
KEYWORDS: Religion, Morality, Socio-Ethical Behavior, Religious Denominations.
INTRODUCTION
The critical question of the relationship between Religion and Morality which has been an old
pre-occupation of western philosophy has currently re-surfaced on the philosophical front
burner. This question has elicited variety of opinions differing from the traditionally held
opinions from Greek philosophy, Judaism, Christianity and other religious confessions that
religion and morality are closely interwoven and thus inseparable.
With regard to this perennial and topical question of whether or not morality requires religion,
Socrates in Plato’s work Euthyphro posed the famous question of whether goodness is loved
by the gods because it is good or whether goodness is good because it is loved by the gods.
Although Socrates favored the former proposal, many other scholars have argued that morality
is unthinkable without God. Dostoevsky, for instance, insists that “if God does not exist,
everything is permitted.”
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Vol.6, No.9, pp.42-53, September 2018
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Before the modern period of philosophy, it was generally agreed that religion is the indisputable
foundation of morality, thereby implying that without religion there can be no morality. This
widespread and deeply ingrained notion that religion is a precondition for morality is still being
held today as is promoted by scholars like Laura Schlesinger who insists that “morality is
impossible without believe in God” and Zuckerman who claims that “declining moral
standards are at least partly attributable to the rise of secularism and decline of organized
religion.” This assumption and all built upon it no longer appears very strong because some
other modern and contemporary scholars have argued with facts that many religious doctrines
and practices have failed the test of morality, hence the argument that religion is neither
necessary nor sufficient for morality (Pierre Bayle). This view contradicts the age long position
that morality has divine origin: either God created man with moral sensibility or man acquired
the knowledge of good and evil, right and wrong from lessons learnt from religious teachings.
The moral crisis being experienced in our contemporary world in spite of the multiplicity of
religious denominations raises a greater objection with regard to the impact of religion on
morality. If religion has such great influence on morality, one may ask, why the moral
decadence beclouding our present day society where moral values are being discarded in spite
of the very loud, clear and sustained preaching by uncountable religious denominations in
virtually every corner of our contemporary society.
This work employing the philosophical tools of critical analysis, exposition and evaluation of
facts experientially acquired as well as information from the works of researchers on the issues
of religion and morality, examines whether there is a definitional relationship or connection
between religion and morality and whether they are related through their concerns,
preoccupations or constituent elements. The work also explores the various shades of opinion
regarding the relationship between religion and morality, the consequences of morality’s
dependence on religion, the synergy between religion and morality as well as the impact, if
any, of religion on socio-ethical behavior. In conclusion the work calls for a complimentary
relationship between religion and morality recommending that there should be a synergy
between them in building a peaceful, just and egalitarian society.
Definitions of Religion and Morality
Both from the etymological definition and their regular usage the definitions and meaning of
religion and morality (ethics) have no close affinity or semblance. Both have different value
system with morality based on reason while religion is based on faith. With regard to the
Etymology of the word religion, St. Thomas Aquinas proposes three Latin root words; religio,
reeligere and religare which were used by Isidore and St. Augustine. Isidore says “according
to Cicero, a man is said to be religious from religio, because he often ponders over and as it
were, reads again (relegit) the things which pertain to the worship of God” (Etym. x). For St.
Augustine religion may take its name from the fact that “we ought to seek God again, whom
we had lost by our neglect” (De Civ. Dei x, 3). (St. Augustine plays on the words reeligere, i.e.
to choose over again and negligere to neglect or despise). For St. Augustine also religion may
be derived from religare (to bind together). He says “may religion bind us to the one Almighty
God’’ (De Vera. Relig 55).
Employing the three Latin words above; religio, reeligere and religare St. Thomas Aquinas
concluded that religion “denotes properly a relation to God. For it is he to whom we ought to
be bound as to our unfailing principle, to whom also our choice should be resolutely directed
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Vol.6, No.9, pp.42-53, September 2018
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as to our last end; and to whom we lose when we neglect Him by sin, and should recover by
believing in Him and confessing our faith (Summa II- II, Q. 81, Art. 1).
From the foregoing, not being oblivious of many other definitions of religion, one can say that
religion consists of a system of beliefs and practices that admits a binding relation to a
supernatural Being or beings. Religion entails man’s relationship with a deity or divinity, with
the human being as the inferior partner in the relationship.
On the other hand morals and morality, which are understandably interchangeable with ethics
because of their common etymological origin, is derived from the Latin word ‘mos’ (plural
mores) which means ‘custom’ or ‘habit’ which is the equivalent of the Greek word ‘ethos’
which also means ‘custom’ or ‘habit’. The two terms morality and ethics are roughly
interchangeable in contemporary usage though some scholars try to demarcate them. For
McClendon; “when a distinction is made “morals” nowadays refers to actual human conduct
viewed with regards to right and wrong, good and evil, “ethics” refers to a theoretical overview
of morality, a theory or system or code. In this sense, our morality is the concrete human reality
that we live out from day to day, while ethics is an academic view gained by taking a step
back and analyzing or theorizing about (any) morality” (45-46).
This compartmentalization by McClendon is surely defective. A better clarification of the terms
morality and ethics arising from their root words is provided by Fagothey who used them
interchangeably without making much fuss about their difference. According to Fagothey by
derivation of the words, ethics (ethos) and morals (mos) study human customs some of which
are mere conventions, such as table manners, mode of dress, forms of speech and expression
of courtesy which vary from place to place and at different times.
For Fagothey “these are manners, not morals”. But there are other customs that seem more
fundamental such as telling the truth, paying our debts, honoring our parents and respecting the
lives and properties of others. These conducts are not only customary but right and to deviate
from them would be wrong. These, says Fagothey, are morals and it is these alone that ethics
deals with. Ethics therefore is the study of right and wrong, of good and evil, in human conduct
(Fagothey 1-2). The same ethics is called moral philosophy. Thus morality can be seen as “a
system of principles and values in regards to standards of right or wrong behavior which has
as its constituent elements, moral standard with regard to proper behavior, moral responsibility
referring to our consciences and moral identity with regard to every right thinking moral agent”
(Iwuagwu 23).
Bringing together both the etymological and the general usages of the terms religion and
morality (ethics) it definitely shows no correlation between them but as to whether they
influence each other is undisputed. According to Green “morality and religion, however
intertwined, are at least conceptually distinct phenomena. Religion involves beliefs, attitudes
and practices that relate human beings to Supernatural agencies and sacred realities … in
contrast; morality has usually being thought of as a way of regulating the conduct of individuals
in communities.” The question of whether one is the foundation of the other, whether one
cannot exist without the other and whether religion has positively or negatively impacted on
morality is highly disputed. This work will continue to outline their areas of convergence and
divergence as well as their relevance to each other in promoting a better society.
Global Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Vol.6, No.9, pp.42-53, September 2018
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The Concerns, Pre-Occupations and Constituent Elements of Religion and Morality
(Ethics)
As the argument with regard to the synergy between religion and morality continues it will be
pertinent to examine their concerns, pre-occupation and constituent elements to see their
semblance or difference.
Unlike religion which essentially preoccupies itself with man’s relationship with a Supreme
Being or superior deities, ethics deals with man’s relationship with his fellow human beings
whether inferior or superior. Hence the subject matter of ethics (morality) is human conducts,
which are actions which a man performs consciously and willfully and for which he can be
held responsible (Fagothey 3).
In examining human conduct ethics is concerned with the rightness or wrongness of behaviors,
that is to say, whether such actions ought to be performed or ought not be performed. The
actions that man ought to perform are considered right or good actions while those that he
ought not to perform are considered wrong or bad actions.
It can, therefore be said that a distinctive feature of ethics (morality) which separates it from
every order field of study is “its investigation of the ‘ought’” (Fagothey 2). Ethics is principally
preoccupied with value judgment rather than the worship of a Supreme Being or beings.
Hence ethics concerns itself with firstly, those acts that the human being ought to do; secondly,
those actions he ought not to do and thirdly, those actions he may either do or not do. Ethics
has no specific places of practice or temples, no rituals, no symbols, no hymns, no objects, no
ceremonies, festivals etc as religion does.
Unlike ethics, religion is an organized system of belief in a Supreme Being or beings as well
as a well-articulated mode of relating with him (them) both in worship and in promoting his
values. Among the constituent element of religion are the following:
Firstly religion is concerned with belief even without any rational explanation or proofs, such
beliefs include belief in God, deities, heaven, hell, angels, dooms day, good and bad luck etc.
All religions believe in the existence of some spiritual and supernatural forces capable of
influencing human situation and environments.
Secondly, religion has a well-organized structure. Without organization religion cannot
propagate itself. Hence religious organizations propagate their tenets, rituals and emotions.
Thirdly, sacred places of worship and object exist among many religions. Different religions
have their different places of worship as well as sacred objects like temple, church, mosque,
shrine, idols, cross, Bible, Koran, river etc., which are used to relate to the supernatural beings.
Fourthly, religion employs the use of rituals and ceremonies. These rituals and ceremonies
enable man to adjust his disposition to the superior supernatural deities. These external ritual
or ceremonies include: prayers, hymns, fasting, ablution, incantations, anointing, sprinkling of
holy water etc. In some instances failure to perform these rituals are considered sinful and
capable of spoiling one’s relationship with God.
Fifthly, religion uses signs and symbols. These signs or symbols are enshrined in sacred
images, places or books. Some of these symbols are also demonstrable by gestures or vocal
pronouncements which give some religious meaning hidden to the non-believer or non-initiate.
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Vol.6, No.9, pp.42-53, September 2018
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Sixthly, basic to many religions is the existence of sects. Sects emerge in religious groups as a
result of over-zealousness, over-piety and fanaticism whether in Judaism, Christianity, Islam,
Hinduism etc. sects abound who have various versions of their religious teachings and
practices. These sects also promote different methods that will facilitate man’s salvation, as
well as specific procedures of worship
Finally, religion promotes the use of emotions. Religion in some cases raises emotions higher
than reason. It inspires the sense of the sacred and dread of the sinful. Components of religious
motions and emotions include fear, reverence, hope, faith, humility, sense of guilt, tears and
joys (cf. Farooq & Mondal).
In considering the concerns, preoccupations and constituent element of religion and morality
as well as their etymological foundation they appear to be two parallel lines with little or no
connection, yet it is generally believed that a religious person is most likely to be a morally
sound person. Where is the root of this assumption? Before accepting or rejecting this
assumption we will consider some conflicting views on the relationship between religion and
morality.
Different Shades of Opinions With Regard to the Relationship Between Morality and
Religion.
According to Westminster Dictionary of Christian Ethics, “for many religious people, morality
and religion are the same or inseparable, for them either morality is part of religion or their
religion is their morality. For others especially for non-religious people, morality and religion
are distinct and separable; religion may be immoral or non-moral and morality may or should
be non-religious. Even for some religious people the two are different and separable, they may
hold that religion should be moral and morality should be religious, but they agree that they
may not be.” (400-401).
The variety of opinions on this matter may be classified into three major positions namely;
1. The position that religion is harmful to morality
2. The position that religion has little to do with morality
3. The position that religion and morality are complimentary i.e are of great importance
to each other.
The Position that Religion is Harmful to Morality.
This assertion that religion is harmful to morality is premised on the argument that many
religious teachings and practices are essentially out of accord with sound ethical thought and
practice and that some features of certain religions are inimical to morality.
This school of thoughts argues that some religious doctrines contradict sound ethical principles.
For instance the Christian doctrines of “the fall” and “original sin”, it is argued, may imply
that, by virtue of his corrupt and sinful nature, man is incapable of performing good actions.
This school further argues that some religious teachings have promoted grievous practices
which are morally harmful. Religious teaching have encouraged its adherents to commit
litanies of horrendous crimes like genocides, terrorism, jihads, inquisition, suicide bombing
etc. all these morally reprehensible atrocities are tacitly or explicitly approved by religion.
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This position also argues that religion encourages its adherents to pay more interest to a future
world (other life) while despising this present world and its affairs. Thus it is said that religion
makes its adherents bad citizen who are preoccupied with another world at the detriment of the
present world. Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism etc, are accused of this other worldliness.
Often referred to in this complaint is Rousseau’s attack on Christians “they would make poor
soldiers, have little heed of their rights and political privileges.” It must be out rightly said that
though religion may have another worldly dimension, it is unfair to accuse adherents of religion
of being uninterested in worldly affairs or of being inactive in socio-political and economic
affairs of their society. Though there abound myriads of atrocities perpetuated by religion along
the centuries, these provide an insufficient basis for blanket condemnation of religion. History
is replete with many good things that have been abused. We must therefore assert that in spite
of these dark sides of some religious teachings and practices there are very many remarkable
good religion has done to promote morality.
The Position that Religion has little to do with Morality.
Those championing the view that religion is morally indifferent argue that religion has very
little substance and on its own account has played inconsequential role in history. This opinion
denies that religion is synonymous with morality and frowns at the view that morality depends
on religion. They argue that the two have no definitional relation and that both conceptually
and in principle their value system and action guides are different.
This school of thought view morality as an active process which requires critical thinking and
consideration that enables one to do what there is the best reason for doing without overlooking
the interest of others, whereas religion which is based on faith require its followers to strictly
adhere to religious codes, dogmatic rules and practices without questioning them.
This position, therefore, concludes that moral behavior does not in any way rely on religious
beliefs not oblivious of the discrepancies between different religious teachings and practices
with social norms.
The Position that Religion and Morality are Complimentary.
This appears to be the most widely accepted view in the discussion of the relationship between
religion and morality, it is an undeniable truth that all religions have well-structured value
frameworks, its dos and don’ts which are meant to guide the socio-ethical behavior of its
adherents. These value frameworks that outline what is right and what is wrong are contained
in oral traditions and holy books and are interpreted and taught by religious leaders.
It is based on the above assertions that the proponents of the complementarities and
supportiveness of religion and morality hold, among other things, firstly, that religion is
nothing but ethics, and that ethics is part and parcel of religion. Secondly they insist that
religion provides the foundation of ethics which depends wholly on religion. It is argued that
what is morally right is simply what God has commanded. Hence nothing can be justified apart
from what God has ordained and religion is the vehicle that promotes moral values and
practices thus without its help it will be difficult to carry out the demands of morality.
Thirdly, a more balanced position in this complimentarily view holds that religion and morality
assists each other in promoting their values and both are engaged in the same purpose of
positive character formation of the individual and to achieve a harmonious and peaceful co-
existence of people in a just and egalitarian society. This position, therefore concludes that both
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are interwoven to the extent that they promote each other and share similar goal, making the
individual a good person in order to build a just and peaceful society.
The Consequences of Ethics’ Dependence on Religion.
If we agree that religion is the basis of morality or that it defines morality and is inseparable
from it, we may be faced with certain grave consequences which may include the following:
Firstly, if we accept that morality depends on religion and is inseparable from it we will be
forced to accept some offensive and morally reprehensible religious beliefs, teachings and
practices as moral. In this regards condemnable religious practices such as jihads, inquisition,
torturing and burning of witches and infidels, swearing with idols, unethical religious
treatments meted out on widows, female circumcisions and other religious prohibitions that
infringe on fundamental human rights will surely be accepted as moral as long as they are
religiously approved.
Secondly, if it is accepted that morality depends on religion we will be freeing non-believers
(atheists) from every moral obligation. We will be denying atheists the right to speak in terms
of good and bad, right and wrong in the proper sense. They will no longer be morally
accountable since they deny the source of morality, which religion sees as God. This will
adversely affect our conception of morality (ethics) which should be binding on all humans
irrespective of religious sentiments. To say that morality and religion are inseparable or that
morality depends on religion may imply that those who reject religion and its teachings and
practices may also reject morality. This will be totally unacceptable, because even if one denies
the religious teachings of the existence of God and of another life, he is still expected to behave
morally. To steal or swindle is evil and reprehensible both for religious and non-religious
people and an atheist who goes on to practice this evil is condemnable.
Thirdly, if morality depends on religion and both are inseparable, the question will arise as to
which religious doctrines and practices ethics should be based on, in so far there are many
religions. Should ethics be based on Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism or
African traditional religion? Different religions, as we know, have different doctrinal
definitions of the notion of sin. There may be some agreement in certain areas with regard to
what is good or bad, right or wrong, yet there are sharp doctrinal differences in these regards.
Hence unlike some elements of morality which appear to be universal, religious denominations
lack a common baseline with regards to their ethical prescriptions. If morality is to depend on
religion there will surely be confusion just as there are doctrinal disagreements among
religions.
Fourthly, if morality depends on religion or is inseparable from it some moral or legal codes
which conflict with religious beliefs and practices will be considered morally wrong because
of their lack of religious backing. Hence the UN declaration of human rights which prohibit
practices such as murder, torture, genocide, slavery, gender inequality, racism, freedom of
worship etc. will be regarded as unethical for confronting religious practices and doctrines.
Finally, it may be argued that moral principles are not the sole prerogative of religious people.
Atheists and agnostics share the same moral principles with religious people and even in some
instances behave morally better than them. Some humanists have proved to be morally
impeccable and have been identified with many laudable humanitarian and charitable courses.
If religion and morality are synonymous, then humanists, agnostics and atheists who reject the
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existence and worship of God cannot be seen to embark on such moral projects which only
have its source from religion.
The Impact of Multiple Religious Denominations on Socio-Ethical Behavior.
The question of whether religion has positively or negatively impacted on social behaviors is
as contentious as the question of the relationship between religion and mortality. One’s
response to this question depends on the side of the divide one stands on, i.e., from the religious
or atheistic divide. Adherent of religious denominations will outline myriads of positive
benefits religion has bestowed on the human society. They insist that religious beliefs and
practices are responsible for the moral and other foundations necessary for a stable, healthy
and just society. For them religion is instrumental in the formation of a good conscience which
promotes the practice of justice, moral probity and integrity in the society. This position argues
that a good adherent of religion who practices his religion sincerely cannot but be morally
impeccable.
According to Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso: “All the world’s major religions, with their emphasis
on love, compassion, patience, tolerance and forgiveness can and do promote inner values. But
the reality of the world today is that grounding ethics in religion is no longer adequate. This is
why I am increasingly convinced that the time has come to find a way of thinking about
spirituality and ethics beyond religion altogether.” In this era of materialism-driven religion
most religious denominations lack spirituality and morality. This makes it difficult for some of
the religions to positively influence socio-ethical behavior. This does not mean that in principle
religion is devoid of moral codes, doctrines and practices to propel sound ethical behavior. It
is only regrettable that these ethical contents of religion are submerged by the vociferous gospel
of materialism which tacitly approves unethical behaviors.
The impact of religion on socio-ethical behavior cannot be denied in many instances. We are
aware of some persons who because of their religious affiliation are very charitable, who
abstain from bribery and corruption, do not commit adultery, do not cheat their employees or
embezzle from their employers, who are very ready to forgive injuries and who do not steal
nor renege in their promises. Such people live this life of moral integrity on religious grounds.
According to David Myers, in one US National Survey, frequent worship attendance predicted
lower scores on a dishonesty scale that assessed, for example, self-serving lies, tax cheating
and failing to report damaging a parked car. Hence cities with high percentage of church
attendance record low crime rate. According to him, “in Provo, Utah, where more than nine in
ten people are church members, you can more readily leave your car unlocked than in Seattle,
where fewer than a third are.” The same survey affirms that the most benevolent people when
contributing to charitable causes are those who are involved in religious activity; that the
highest rate of volunteerism are by the religious and that the most delinquent crimes are
committed by youngsters who have low level of religious commitment (christiancourier.com).
A contrary position being floated by non religious people on the other side of the divide argues
with empirical evidence that there are no noticeable difference between a religious society and
a non-religious one. Citing the widespread presence of immoral and criminal behaviors as well
as their consequences in religious societies, they insist that religion has not really impacted
positively on social behavior. They point to high rate of corruption, hatred, injustice, teen
pregnancy, homicide, greed, armed robbery, kidnapping, abortion, sexually transmitted
diseases (STD), suicide, nepotism and other condemnable anti-social behaviors in religious
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societies to justify their position that religion has done very little in changing the face of their
society.
In many non-religious countries, most people argue that morality has no need of religion which
in most cases causes more harm than good. It is argued that the countries with the worst human
rights records are highly religious countries. Such countries are the most violent, unstable and
intolerant. According to Vexen Crabtree, using the Social and Moral Development Index which
concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance,
freedom, etc., it is clear that social and moral development is at its highest in less religious
countries whereas “as religiosity increases, each country suffers from more and more conflicts
with human rights, more problems of tolerance of minorities and religious freedom and
problems with gender equality.” Arguing for dispensability of religion in moral issues Jackson
Wayne says that “there are some people who have no religious philosophy: they profess not to
believe in any Supreme Being, in spite of this, they lead reasonably respectful lives. They do
not murder, commit adultery, or embezzle from their employers. On the other hand, there are
those who profess to be quite religious, and yet, clearly, they are far from godliness as one can
be.” (christiancourier.com).
David Hume also corroborates this position saying: “the greatest crimes have been found in
many instances to be compatible with a superstitious piety and devotion. Hence it is justly,
regarded as unsafe to draw any inference in favour of man’s morals from the fervor or strictness
of his religious exercises, even though he himself believe them sincerely” (30).
Irrespective of the above position insisting on the absence of positive impact of religion on
moral behavior we cannot deny the positive impact of religions like Christianity on the
formation of individual moral character and conscience as well as the formation of civil laws
based on the Christian tenets of love, justice, peace, equality and human dignity. We cannot
deny the appeal to reason that holds that one who believes in God and sincerely accepts and
practices the moral teachings as contained in the sacred books of his religion will be most likely
to have respect for other people than those who have no religious affiliation. A good religious
person will surely be better than a non-religious person. George Washington must be listened
to when he warns that it is folly to suppose that “morality can be maintained without religion”
(cited by Jackson). Many studies including those of Myers and Wilson have justified this stand.
Corroborating this position of Washington, Wilson warns of mass breakdown in morality in
the West if the religious underpinnings of moral propriety were forgotten. Wilson, describing
how secularization resulted in the breakdown of morality in Western societies says: “When in
the West, religion waned, when the rationalistic forces inherent in Puritanism acquired
autonomy of their religious origins, so the sense of moral probity waned – albeit somewhat
later, as a cultural lag. Following the decline of religion … and the resultant process of moral
breakdown … we should have genuine concern about the role of morality in contemporary
culture (52, 87). As for Armstrong, “myth is essential for good ethics and meaningful living.”
We can assert that when a society discards the sense of the sacred which religions always
promote, it will surely lose the moral sense. Religion must synergize with morality to achieve
a just and peaceful society.
The Lack of Synergy between Religion and Morality, the Bane of our Contemporary
Society
Although there may be no etymological or definitional connection between religion and
morality nor are their constituent elements, concerns and pre occupations similar, it is generally
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believed and assumed that religion positively influence the moral lives of its adherents. Hence
it is supposed that a good religious person is also a morally sound person. This supposition is
premised on the assumption that religion more than every other institution encourages its
adherents to live moral lives based on love and justice. Christianity for instance, helped
immensely in reforming the laws of the Roman Empire through its teachings on love of
neighbor, justice, forgiveness, common brotherhood of all men and moderation in the
punishment of criminals. The Roman laws, as much as we know, highly influenced the laws of
the Western world as well as those of the South American and African nations colonized by
the West. Religion admonishes its adherents to be heroes of faith or saints by living exemplary
moral lives as outlined in their sacred books like the Bible, Koran etc. These moral codes,
precepts, statutes, ordinances and commandments contained in the sacred books if fully
embraced and practiced will make its adherent living saints, heroes of faith and morally
impeccable characters. This will in turn impact positively on the society thereby making the
world a better place.
It is unfortunate that many religious denominations have deviated from this ideal. What is
currently being preached by its leaders in their unwritten codes is no longer in line with its
written sacred codes. What we have now proclaimed is the gospel of prosperity and materialism
at the detriment of moral probity. Contemporary religious teachers have deviated from the path
of admonishing their adherents to remain steadfast in moral uprightness, self-discipline,
selflessness and justice. The unethical maxim of the end justifying the means seem to be
acceptable and promoted in religious circles. This disconnect between morality and religion
has created a culture of corruption, injustice, selfishness, nepotism, cheating, insincerity, sexual
immorality, stealing, violence, homicide and other innumerable social ills which are morally
reprehensible.
The promotion of materialism as against spirituality by religious leaders is the basic cause of
this lack of synergy between religion and morality. When one disregards moral and sound
religious rules of conduct to achieve a selfish end the action cannot be moral and acceptable.
If religious leaders insist that their followers live their religious lives in accordance with the
dictates of sound ethical principles with regard to what is right, good, just and honorable, then
adherents of the various religious bodies will be morally impeccable. Unfortunately this is not
the case. Some religious leaders in order to retain their members have compromised the truth,
thus finding it difficult to reprimand their members when they derail morally. The resultant
effect of this compromise is the rising rate of criminality, corruption, teen pregnancy, abortion,
prostitution, marriage infidelity, embezzlement of public funds, injustice, selfishness, armed
robbery, kidnapping, violence, nepotism and many other fraudulent practices which are
unethical.
The very noticeable dichotomy between morality and religion and the apparent lack of visible
impact of religion on socio-ethical behavior especially when a religious society is compared
with a non-religious society stems from this failure of religion rather than the foundational
difference between morality and religion. This failure is caused by religious leaders who have
excluded morality and spirituality from their preaching and prefer rather to preach the material
wellbeing of their members irrespective of the means employed in achieving these.
Basically religious doctrines and practices are embodiments of moral codes and principles. If
religion lives up to expectation in insisting on its codes of conduct, religious people will surely
be morally sound individuals and the society will be a better place devoid of morally
reprehensible behaviors. The failure of religion is the basic cause of this lack of synergy
Global Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Vol.6, No.9, pp.42-53, September 2018
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between religion and morality which has consequently resulted in the visible moral bankruptcy
in contemporary society. Hence this lack of synergy is the bane of our contemporary society
which has slumped into all sorts of social ills that are affecting the peace and stability of our
society.
CONCLUSION
The assumption that religion is the source of morality which still holds sway in moral theology
is no longer tenable in contemporary philosophical discourse. This assertion does not mean that
morality has nothing to do with religion as some extremist may hold, but that morality does not
depend on religion. The famous age long question raised by Socrates in Plato’s work Euthyphro
as to whether “goodness is loved by the gods because it is good or whether goodness is good
because it is loved by the gods” can be answered by saying that goodness is loved by the gods
because it is good. Morality can stand independent of religion. Religion needs morality to
promote a better society just as morality may need religion to promote its principles. Religion
and morality are therefore complimentary and not exclusive. Though their concerns,
preoccupations and constituent elements differ and there is no definitional connection between
them, morality and religion are complimentary in the development of a balanced personality as
well as the creation of a peaceful, just and egalitarian society. The problem of the
Contemporary society is the lack of synergy between religion and morality which in some
instances makes the impact of religion not visible with regard to the eradication or reduction
of some unacceptable social behaviors like corruption, violence, prostitution, armed robbery,
kidnapping, teen pregnancy, infidelity in marriage, stealing, injustice among other social evils.
If every religious body upholds sound ethical principles, preaches them to their adherents and
insists on them, this will most likely make religious persons moral persons and the world will
be a better place for all. But as long as there is lack of synergy between religion and morality,
as long as religion fails to raise moral individuals but spends its efforts in preaching prosperity
and breakthrough where the end justifies the means, as long as it fails to promote moral
integrity, justice and selfless love, the multiplicity of religious denominations will be
inconsequential and a peaceful, just and egalitarian society will continue to be a mirage.
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