Religious parenting or abuse?

[JamesM]

I think people should stop pounding religious dogma into children's brains and let them grow up and decide for themselves what and if they want to believe.

 

 

If we took this attitude about all of our children's training, then it would be considered child abuse.

 

Methinks that the lack of a belief in God is what drives you to call it "religious dogma." Dogma is simply a belief or opinion regarding something...in this case, religion. Put another word in front of dogma...say environmental, racial, etc., then many of us would have an opinion of how our children should be taught in these areas.

 

If I said that I am not going to teach my children what they should think about people of other races or how they should treat the environment around them, then this would be considered careless parenting. But if I never teach them about God who created the world, then this is letting them decide for themselves? And that is why? Because you do not believe there is a God?

[theBrokenMuse]

No, you cannot compare the comprehension of an adult to that of a child, NOR can you compare your interpretation of how the child is interpreting the mother's comments with your adult interpretation. You are doing the same thing I am but from a different angle.

 

That's not true. How else would we even have child psychology? Adults can understand the psyche of children. Children are not developed enough to grasp the mindset of an adult.

 

No. Since Jean has three children, then I would only be concerned if all three children have the same obsession. I am guessing that this four year old is different.

 

I believe the four year old is the oldest and one is a newborn.

 

I am not seeing where the mother is setting up some high standard to meet.

How is perfection not an impossible standard? The child is asking if she was a good girl, not if everything she did that day was flawless. Besides, children don't have any natural inclination at that age to care about goodness in and of itself. When a four year old child is asking about being good what they are really asking is if they are able to please the people that matter to them. Hearing no every day will wear a child's confidence down.

Rather I think she may be overemphasizing verbally or in actions that the girl will never be good on her own. And I think she needs to point out to the girl what "being good" spiritually versus being good in every day activities means.

 

I agree.

 

Does that mean that I should tell my one child that he will never get sick and die, or to the other that no spiders will ever walk above his head? No. I do tell him that it is unlikely that he will die from cancer, and I do tell him that he has no symptoms of it, and to the other I do show him that currently there are no spiders in the room (or if there are, I kill them with him watching). But to say to the one that he will never get cancer would be false reassurances...especially considering the fact that he has an aunt that died at the same age he is. And if I tell the other that no spiders will come in the room while he is sleeping, then I will lose all credibility quickly especially since there are spiders found in our house every day.

 

I don't think anyone is advocating lying to the child. They are advocating offering reassurance to a child that is begging for it and given what you just said about your own children, that's what it seems you would advocate as well.

 

What is necessary is to tell that little girl and my children that they do not need to be good to be accepted by me or God.

 

This is the most important thing to tell children....you are loved despite whom you are. You are accepted for who you are. As parents, saying this is not false reassurance but is loving truth and honesty.

 

I agree, children should be made to feel loved as they are.

 

For those who do not believe in a God, any form of teaching about God is considered child abuse. For those of us who have discovered there is a God, not teaching children about God is child abuse. I think that may be behind some of the negative responses to this blog.

 

Well, I am an atheist. You might even say an anti-theist but while I loathe the idea of teaching children to believe in any God(s) because I think it's filling their head with nonsense, I don't consider it to be abuse unless it appears to be causing them actual harm (emotional or physical).

[theBrokenMuse]

 

But if I never teach them about God who created the world, then this is letting them decide for themselves? And that is why? Because you do not believe there is a God?

 

Actually, I think in order to be able to decide for themselves, they would have to be presented with all the available options in an unbiased manner and given the choice which thing sounds the most suitable for them... however, I can't imagine many people actually doing that.

[Eve]

A four year old child has a mother that claims that feelings of self-esteem and self-worth are bad for children and must be eradicated based on her Born Again Christian beliefs. She states that her child is learning that there is nothing good about herself. Would you consider that to be emotional abuse given what we know about the role of self-esteem in a child's development? Why or why not?

 

I suppose as with any belief system it depends what the Mother is actually doing in real life terms.

 

Hopefully Mother and Child have been assessed by now and are receiving some further guidance. This is my main and only concern.

 

As far as faith and everything in between, we all teach our children our belief system verbally and non verbally. I consider it foolish to think that Christians are somehow less able to lovingly pass on thier belief system whilst others are more equipped because they do not follow the teachings of Christ! What is THAT about?

 

Anyhow four year olds are remarkably adept and often can see adults far clearer than many adults themselves!

 

I hope they are ok.

 

Eve xx

[Geishawhelk]

Anyhow four year olds are remarkably adept and often can see adults far clearer than many adults themselves!

 

Eve xx

Yes, I'm sure you're right.

Unfortunately, they're hardly in a position to be able to do much about it, are they - ?!

[Eve]

Yes, I'm sure you're right.

Unfortunately, they're hardly in a position to be able to do much about it, are they - ?!

 

Still this does not detract from the presence of the ability. Or should we look only to the drama?

 

One person sees, another doesnt - thats life and the children are ALWAYS the victims.

 

I think that people are used to looking for the bad in others, instead of assisting the person in whatever way they can. Dissecting others is the new black dress and serves only to support their world view.

 

This to me is quite sad - but I am not surprised and I do not think this is a new behavioural pattern within our species. So many confounding factors affect us, yet few are willing to do more than talk about it.

 

But the child still sees. If only we could maintain this childlike vision. Well, I think we can if we really want to.. but dissecting is SO much fun and this is the choice of the majority!

 

Eve xx

[D-Lish]

I agree with Enena.. but I would say, from my experience.. the whole orchard was rotten.. only very few good apples..

 

I think bad apples exist in all facets of humanity. I've seen some over zealous religious parents destroy their children through shaming and punishment. Conversely, I've worked with abused children whose parents had no religious affiliations.

 

I think people as individuals raise their children according to their own parental doctrines. People can be good or bad parents regardless of what church of life they attend.

 

I had a Sunday school teacher who used to tell me I was in danger of going to hell because I asked too many questions- that my curiousity negated my faith. I quickly shed faith in favour of curiousity.

[Geishawhelk]

Still this does not detract from the presence of the ability. Or should we look only to the drama?

 

One person sees, another doesnt - thats life and the children are ALWAYS the victims.

 

.....But the child still sees. If only we could maintain this childlike vision. Well, I think we can if we really want to.. but dissecting is SO much fun and this is the choice of the majority!

 

Eve xx

 

I'm sorry - I fail to see what your point is here!

[Lovelybird]

JamesM, you rock !

 

I think many of you choose to twist what she is saying, and image up many things that don't even exist, maybe you see some failed parents, and put that hat on her, even greater, on christianity.

 

Her major point in her blog is that Lord himself inspired that little girl.

 

why are some people so greatly hurt if other say a slight hint that you aren't perfect? because of their narcissistic character? People cannot be honest with themselves. fear to see truth about themselves. If you say truth is abuse, then it is really about how you approach truth.

 

Yes, human couldn't help making mistakes. human isn't perfect. If God loves human according to their perfermance each day, probably no human would be saved. I know I was saved even when I was sinning. It is goodness of God make me want to change. If I make a mistake or sinned, do I instantly think God will turn his back on me forever? NO.

 

Even I know I am not perfect, I know I am loved and accepted by God. Even I know sometimes I failed, I know God loves me and wants to help me to change. Even I know sometimes my performance isn't perfect, I know I will do better because of God's grace.

 

Isn't that wonderful to teach children that they are accepted and loved by God? what good is that raising a child rely on their self-esteem on self or on money or on power or on sexuality? If this not leads to pride, it will lead to another extreme, low self-esteem.

But focus on God's grace, relying on God's grace, one cannot swell in pride, but humble himself/herself. If one can humble himself/herself, then he/she can start to improve. A self-centred person only can see himself, thus cause huge pain in life

 

Pride isn't self-esteem, only puff up, easily broken, that's why people are fealful to hear truth. This is a sign that they don't feel being accepted by God because of their own unbelief, a sign that they don't have strong self-esteem.

 

Real good self-esteem will not be shaken, that is rooted in ONE and His love who never shake, God. To teach a child roots his/her godly-esteem in God is an act of love.

[Brimstone_Angel]

I am just curious to see what people's take is on this since there seems to be such a huge divide on the subject (which shocks me to be quite honest). A four year old child has a mother that claims that feelings of self-esteem and self-worth are bad for children and must be eradicated based on her Born Again Christian beliefs.

 

Read your Bible. Show me scriptures where we are to eradicate a child's self-esteem or self-worth (or any person's for that matter). We do teach and preach and promote the eradication of sin within our lives and world. It is not something that can be forced, but through being an example and through sharing the information we have learned with the world (yes this includes to those who hate hearing about it).

 

This mother, if you have not guessed it, IS NOT TALKING FROM THE BIBLE. At least not from truth or understanding. And if you guessed that this is NOT the ways of Christianity, you are right.

 

She states that her child is learning that there is nothing good about herself.

 

Now you sound like an important person. Tell me, does this make sense to you? Does this sounds like any thing a loving God tell His children? And if God does not treat His children this way, why do you think He would want an mortal parent to teach that about their children? We do good and bad. But, now if we are talking about being good on the level of God, heck na. If it were not by His grace, we would not be here or have a chance for eternal life and true happiness in the new Earth and new Heaven. Why? Because SIN cannot exist before God. And we being born in sin CANNOT exist in before God. This is the reason why we are thought and expected to surpress/eradicate that nature within us.

Would you consider that to be emotional abuse given what we know about the role of self-esteem in a child's development?

 

No I would not emotional abuse, UNLESS it is clear that someone is using faith to intimidate, manipulate, or destroy another. For example, it is not emotional abuse to tell someone that because of their sexual lifestyle or behavior is wrong or that they could go to Hell for it is not emotional abuse. But, using that scenerio to let say convence someone to perform a certain act or to give into one's own sexual advances, then that is emotional abuse and definitely I would consider a sexual assault.

 

Why or why not?

 

Sticking with the thought that this woman is just misguided in what either she believes or what someone is teaching her... How one interprets faith, its role in his or her life, and how to execute it can't be measured by the ways of the world any more than the Bible can dicated how true or right or wrong science is. It takes the Word to try the Word. So, one would have to read the Bible, seek the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding that lies within, commune with the spirit, Christ, and God for enlightenment, or if it stills eludes you, talk to the elders (meaning those who have clearly proven they have experience in the ways of God).

 

So, to give you a heads up, while there are people with ALL types of beliefs and interpretations of the Bible, the will of God, and how we are suppose to carry out the Word, it may not be so. The Deceiver, The Adversary, The Devil, Satan knows the Word as well and seek to corrupt it with lies, false profits, and ignorance. Just because they claim they are Christians, unless one tries their words and deeds by the Word, then it is the fool who fails pray to the tricks of the Tempter. In short, unless you want to get into the word and prove her wrong, don't think IT IS of Christ she does what she does or says what she says.

 

I hope this clarifies this. I don't want you to think that just because something disturbing, wicked, or just plan evil goes on and that someone claims a faith, science, philosophy, or what have you behind it, does not make it true or of that path. For example, a US soldier who rapes and kills an civilian or enemy soldier is NOT standing up for the true intent or nature of Americans. Americans on average abhor such behavior and have laws that proves his or her actions as wrong and false. The same with Christianity, there are a lot of people (even men and women of the highest esteem and levels within the faith) who have committed atrocities in the name of the faith, but it does not make it so.

[Brimstone_Angel]

...I had a Sunday school teacher who used to tell me I was in danger of going to hell because I asked too many questions- that my curiousity negated my faith. I quickly shed faith in favour of curiousity.

 

I have been a Sunday School teacher of children and on the youth board in my old church, I can tell you this... You Sunday School teacher was DEAD WRONG! As a matter of fact, Jesus himself admonished his own disciples for turning away the children who wanted to be blessed and asking questions of him. For it is a joy and a necessity to have the inquisitive mind of a child in order to perform this faith. If you don't have questions how will one learn? If you don't question what is being said or done, you could follow someone else's path straight into damnation. So, even as adults and/or mature people in Christ, if we don't have the curiosity still, then we should be worried.

 

So, don't shed your faith, YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT. Don't leave the Word behind. But, live it each day with the wonderment of a child. Question the Word for enlightenment's sake. Be curious about God's word and plans. But, if you know if God is telling you something, and you know it is God telling you this, have faith in it, DON'T question that. If God wants you to jump and you know it is God telling you to jump, just ask Him how high or how far.

[marlena]

Dogma is simply a belief or opinion regarding something...in this case, religion

 

No, it is a BLIND belief in a system of religion and an unfaltering,unquestioning adherence to its tenets.

 

If I said that I am not going to teach my children what they should think about people of other races or how they should treat the environment around them, then this would be considered careless parenting.

 

The analogy is not very good IMO. Racial and environmental issues are very REAL and need to be addressed. How detrimental or how favourable an impact anything you say to your children about these issues would depend, I should think, on the content of the message. If you riase your children to be racial bigots or if you teach them that nuclear testing is good for the environment, then, yes, the message you are conveying is damaging. This, holds true of religion, too. There is a world of difference between a benevolent God and a fire and brimstone one. Any religion that instills fear in children is abusive as far as I am concerned. This is why I am so opposed to the theory of an existing hell where sinners will be eternally tortured.

 

Besides, children can be taught right from wrong without religious teachings.

 

I respect all religions and every person's right to believe in their chosen faith just as I respect atheists and agnostics, too. The people I have a grudge with are the zealots who persist in poisoning the malleable and ever so susceptible minds of children.

[Lovelybird]

Zealous itself isn't problem, quank, it's human's fallen nature the problem. Is money the evil? depends how one person use it. In fact, the mob mentality is the harmest

 

Is zealously love a problem? no

 

Is zealously help poor kids in Africa a problem? no

 

Is zealously preaching good news a problem? no

 

In fact, Lord said he would spit out the luke warm ones.

[Lovelybird]

No, it is a BLIND belief in a system of religion and an unfaltering,unquestioning adherence to its tenets.

 

 

 

The analogy is not very good IMO. Racial and environmental issues are very REAL and need to be addressed. How detrimental or how favourable an impact anything you say to your children about these issues would depend, I should think, on the content of the message. If you riase your children to be racial bigots or if you teach them that nuclear testing is good for the environment, then, yes, the message you are conveying is damaging. This, holds true of religion, too. There is a world of difference between a benevolent God and a fire and brimstone one. Any religion that instills fear in children is abusive as far as I am concerned. This is why I am so opposed to the theory of an existing hell where sinners will be eternally tortured.

 

Besides, children can be taught right from wrong without religious teachings.

 

I respect all religions and every person's right to believe in their chosen faith just as I respect atheists and agnostics, too. The people I have a grudge with are the zealots who persist in poisoning the malleable and ever so susceptible minds of children.

Without pouring love of God into a children and only teach them fear of God can be harmful. Only teaching love of God, is also not balanced. In real life, if you do wrong things, you are going to reap bad consequences.

 

There are always choices, God wants us to chose life, not chose death.

 

What is life? love, forgiving, be kind, not steal, not adultery, interity

what is death? steal, covet, hatred, kill, lie, heart hardened, cold, mob...

 

no human can be that perfect, but God always is willing to see us turn to Him with wide open arms.

 

What God wants for us is good.

 

Mob mentality can happen anywhere, in any religion or secular groups. It is a way that people project their hatred. it comes from human nature itself

[marlena]

Based on this statement, I shouldn't teach my children anything that I think will help them in life. I should let them grow up and decide it for themselves what they believe. Whether or not they believe in laws, personal responsibility or even something as simple as education.

 

Bent,

 

Of course we teach these things to our children until we turn blue in the face. However, this has nothing to do with some of the more sinister concepts of religion as it is practiced and preached by zealots and bigots.

 

I have nothing against religion or rather spirituality whatsoever. In fact, it can be a positive and comforting influence in a person's life. However, I do draw the line to religion being used as a scare tactic in order to guilt little children into fearing God's wrath and eternal damanation. These concepts defy my logic as does much in the scriptures. That does not mean I will not be teaching my children right from wrong or a sense of responsibility in so far as consequences to their actions is concerned. I will just be doing it a different way without any reference to God or religion. Similarly, I wouldn't discard the notion of a supreme human being as nothing has been proven or disproven. I would just tell them that he may or may not exist and let them decide for themselves once they are old enough to do their own thinking.

[theBrokenMuse]

Read your Bible. Show me scriptures where we are to eradicate a child's self-esteem or self-worth (or any person's for that matter).

I'm no expert so if I am wrong, someone please correct me but I think that is is a 'total depravity' type of teaching that I've heard from Calvinists. (I think it was Calvinists but don't hold me to it). There are so many denominations I get a little confused. I do know however that Calvinists consider human beings (reprobate) to be worthless. I've heard them call people garbage cans on many occasions.

 

From my dealings with them, I've come to find that they often think they themselves were hand picked by God himself to be the elect so they are special and it's actually just everyone else who's worthless. I often times think that those who don't get born into this denomination are drawn to it in order to bolster a wounded ego or because they suffer from megalomania.

 

In any case, in my opinion this total depravity stuff is a vile teaching that dehumanizes the bulk of humanity to the point that people that believe this garbage have been able to say to me, without hesitation, that they think it is good and just to send newborn babies to hell.

 

This mother, if you have not guessed it, IS NOT TALKING FROM THE BIBLE. At least not from truth or understanding. And if you guessed that this is NOT the ways of Christianity, you are right.

 

It really depends on who you ask. No one has been able to show that their way of reading the Bible is right and until that happens, there is no method to discern anything other than what I or you considers to be correct. Of course, it doesn't mean ether of us is right on that matter. It is quite a convoluted bunch of texts.

 

Now you sound like an important person. Tell me, does this make sense to you? Does this sounds like any thing a loving God tell His children? And if God does not treat His children this way, why do you think He would want an mortal parent to teach that about their children?

 

This is where you and I are going to have a bit of a disconnect. You see, I'm not convinced that the Yahweh character is actually good. When I've read the Bible it always bothered me that a being that's supposedly good and has infinite knowledge and understanding prefers to utilize violence and carnage to carry out his desires. He even struck down the good Samaritan that was just innocently trying to steady the ark.

 

No I would not emotional abuse, UNLESS it is clear that someone is using faith to intimidate, manipulate, or destroy another. For example, it is not emotional abuse to tell someone that because of their sexual lifestyle or behavior is wrong or that they could go to Hell for it is not emotional abuse. But, using that scenerio to let say convence someone to perform a certain act or to give into one's own sexual advances, then that is emotional abuse and definitely I would consider a sexual assault.

 

Sticking with the thought that this woman is just misguided in what either she believes or what someone is teaching her... How one interprets faith, its role in his or her life, and how to execute it can't be measured by the ways of the world any more than the Bible can dicated how true or right or wrong science is. It takes the Word to try the Word. So, one would have to read the Bible, seek the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding that lies within, commune with the spirit, Christ, and God for enlightenment, or if it stills eludes you, talk to the elders (meaning those who have clearly proven they have experience in the ways of God).

 

So, to give you a heads up, while there are people with ALL types of beliefs and interpretations of the Bible, the will of God, and how we are suppose to carry out the Word, it may not be so. The Deceiver, The Adversary, The Devil, Satan knows the Word as well and seek to corrupt it with lies, false profits, and ignorance. Just because they claim they are Christians, unless one tries their words and deeds by the Word, then it is the fool who fails pray to the tricks of the Tempter. In short, unless you want to get into the word and prove her wrong, don't think IT IS of Christ she does what she does or says what she says.

 

I hope this clarifies this. I don't want you to think that just because something disturbing, wicked, or just plan evil goes on and that someone claims a faith, science, philosophy, or what have you behind it, does not make it true or of that path. For example, a US soldier who rapes and kills an civilian or enemy soldier is NOT standing up for the true intent or nature of Americans. Americans on average abhor such behavior and have laws that proves his or her actions as wrong and false. The same with Christianity, there are a lot of people (even men and women of the highest esteem and levels within the faith) who have committed atrocities in the name of the faith, but it does not make it so.

 

Thanks for your in-depth answer. It's appreciated.

[JamesM]

I'm no expert so if I am wrong, someone please correct me but I think that is is a 'total depravity' type of teaching that I've heard from Calvinists. (I think it was Calvinists but don't hold me to it). There are so many denominations I get a little confused. I do know however that Calvinists consider human beings (reprobate) to be worthless. I've heard them call people garbage cans on many occasions.

 

It is Calvinism, but Calvinism is not a denomination. It is a belief which is believed by many denominations.

 

There are five points to Calvinism.

 

The first is Total Depravity. Man is born into original sin. Yes, all men are born evil not good. But there is also the irresistible grace that God uses to draw men to Him. He offers a way to men that they might be changed.

 

But as an atheist, you must not believe in good or evil, because to believe in good or evil, one must have a measuring stick for that. And how is good or evil measured without God?

 

So for you, I am guessing people are born as is, and choices are never good nor evil.

 

From my dealings with them, I've come to find that they often think they themselves were hand picked by God himself to be the elect so they are special and it's actually just everyone else who's worthless.

 

First off, anyone who believes this has a distorted view of the Bible and God or you have distorted their view. Second, this is logically the wrong way to view it, because how does one know who is chosen and who is not? We could not. A Christian must tell everyone about God and through that teaching, this person may or may not be converted. While it is true that someone who is saved is special in one sense, they themselves if truly humbled will not consider themselves special. In fact, in the blog for this thread, the verse used, "Oh wretched man that I am...." is said by Paul AFTER he was converted by God. He felt far from special.

 

Man can never know the heart. Only God does. So from a man's POV, everyone is a potential Christian, and none are "the unelect."

 

Having known and been a part of Calvinistic denominations all of my life, I have never heard that "we are special, and they are worthless." If anything when compared to God, I have heard that "all men are worthless." The key phrase in that sentence is when compared to God. When compared to other men, we are all equal.

 

In any case, in my opinion this total depravity stuff is a vile teaching that dehumanizes the bulk of humanity to the point that people that believe this garbage have been able to say to me, without hesitation, that they think it is good and just to send newborn babies to hell.

 

Again, you may have your opinion. With no belief in a God, then all religion is vile. I understand.

 

And I have never heard taught or said that it is better to send babies to hell. I have heard that babies that died are in the hands of God. Where they are is not for us to decide. We may believe they are in Heaven, but in the Bible, there is no clear direction.

 

Thanks for your in-depth answer. It's appreciated.

 

And while this was not directed at me, I will direct it back at you. Your responses, questions, and posts bring up some very interesting points. And while I doubt I will convince you of my view, I do hope that something I say may give you a different perspective. Your posts have given me something to think about.

[marlena]

But as an atheist, you must not believe in good or evil, because to believe in good or evil, one must have a measuring stick for that

 

Not true. Atheists are not by definition amoral. For some, not willfully inflicting harm on others is more than an adequate measuring stick.

[JamesM]

Not true. Atheists are not by definition amoral. For some, not willfully inflicting harm on others is more than an adequate measuring stick.

 

From where did that measuring stick "evolve?"

[marlena]

For some, form their own personal assessments.

[JamesM]

For some, from their own personal assessments.

 

And that is based on what? Their upbringing? An inner "feeling?" Society?

[marlena]

Any number of things: environment,upbringing,education,intelligence,circumstances etc... Not everyone believes that morality is defined by a judgemental and law-making supreme being. For some, God is energy, the cosmos and all it encompasses and has absolutely nothing to do with issues of morality.

[You'reasian]

I am just curious to see what people's take is on this since there seems to be such a huge divide on the subject (which shocks me to be quite honest). A four year old child has a mother that claims that feelings of self-esteem and self-worth are bad for children and must be eradicated based on her Born Again Christian beliefs. She states that her child is learning that there is nothing good about herself. Would you consider that to be emotional abuse given what we know about the role of self-esteem in a child's development? Why or why not?

 

Can you explain the connection between Born Again Christian Beliefs and the need to eradicate feelings of self esteem?

 

I don't follow.

[Moose]

Can you explain the connection between Born Again Christian Beliefs and the need to eradicate feelings of self esteem?

 

I don't follow.

And you won't. There is no such thing!

 

I know you weren't asking me.....but that's the Truth.....

[disgracian]

From where did that measuring stick "evolve?"

Humans are social animals, so we have to coexist as family units, tribes, societies, nations, and finally as a species.

 

One way to look at morality is as precedents for certain behaviour. Wanton killing is obviously bad because of the precedent it sets, it would result in a vicious cycle of violence that never ends, like what they have in the Middle East. Stealing is not good for the same reasons. This is the elementary stuff. Moreover, co-operation has helped our species survive and thrive.

 

What we now refer to as morality can trace its origins back to self-preservation. All shoulders to the one wheel benefits everybody, protecting the individuals and strengthening the group.

 

More and more humans live together in increasingly tight spaces, and so we need more detailed rules to help us co-exist.

 

As humans, we also have intelligence and creativity, and (to varying degrees) we can understand the concept of cause and effect, and how morality fits into this framework. This human capacity for independent thought is something that religion mostly discourages (despite the irony that all their laws and texts and traditions and rituals were all devised by humans anyway, but we must go to long and elaborate lengths to disguise this) even though it is the sole basis for all our understandings of morality today.

 

Examine morality and there is a reason behind every basic law we have. Murder or stealing is not bad because some imaginary deity says so, it's because it has very real and quantifiable consequences. Helping others in need is not good because an ancient text says it is, it's good because of the positive effects it has on all involved. This process of examination and questioning is the vehicle of progress that religion spends very brief periods of time advancing, and the rest of the time suppressing.

 

So, in short, morality evolved out of a very immediate and practical need to survive, and has grown and adapted as the changing nature of human society has placed new and additional needs on it as a means to co-exist.

 

Cheers,

D.