Religion and Morality Aren’t Synonymous
Religion is a set of personal beliefs. Many religions are based on an institutional system
grounded in values and practices with trust in a spiritual leader. Many religions believe
in a supernatural power regarded as the creator of the universe.
Morality is the quality of being in accord with standards of good conduct. A personal
system of ideas of right and wrong is morality.
Many highly moral people don’t follow any formal religious organization or practice.
Morality for many people is apparently very subjective on many specific social issues.
How can you be “right to life” and in favor of the death penalty or a war of choice? Oh!
Exceptions!
Throughout history, some religions have even condoned killing in the name of their
God. Was “thou shall not kill” an optional law?
How can Congressional leaders claim to be the moral champions of family values after
voting for their own $33,000.00 pay raise and failing to address the dismal minimum
wage?
We have many political leaders claiming great faith and religious beliefs while selling out
to big business and special interest groups for campaign contributions. Morality?
Is voting for new banking laws that hurt the neediest of our citizens moral? Is failing to
secure our borders in favor of cheap labor moral? Is exploiting foreign workers for
cheap labor moral? Is voting for trade agreements without protections for American
workers moral? Is removing requirements for fair wages in the clean up effort of
Hurricane Katrina moral?
Far too many elected leaders need a new understanding of morality. Political rhetoric on
religious faith and morality without a real commitment on moral values and proven action
is meaningless. Campaign promises without follow through and measured results are an
exercise in disingenuous hyperbole.
In my humble opinion, our elected leaders need to spend more time thinking about
social equality. It is time for many political leaders to stop simply talking of morality and
start acting moral. Religion and morality aren’t synonymous!
Fred Flanagan
Copyright © 2006
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grounded in values and practices with trust in a spiritual leader. Many religions believe
in a supernatural power regarded as the creator of the universe.
Morality is the quality of being in accord with standards of good conduct. A personal
system of ideas of right and wrong is morality.
Many highly moral people don’t follow any formal religious organization or practice.
Morality for many people is apparently very subjective on many specific social issues.
How can you be “right to life” and in favor of the death penalty or a war of choice? Oh!
Exceptions!
Throughout history, some religions have even condoned killing in the name of their
God. Was “thou shall not kill” an optional law?
How can Congressional leaders claim to be the moral champions of family values after
voting for their own $33,000.00 pay raise and failing to address the dismal minimum
wage?
We have many political leaders claiming great faith and religious beliefs while selling out
to big business and special interest groups for campaign contributions. Morality?
Is voting for new banking laws that hurt the neediest of our citizens moral? Is failing to
secure our borders in favor of cheap labor moral? Is exploiting foreign workers for
cheap labor moral? Is voting for trade agreements without protections for American
workers moral? Is removing requirements for fair wages in the clean up effort of
Hurricane Katrina moral?
Far too many elected leaders need a new understanding of morality. Political rhetoric on
religious faith and morality without a real commitment on moral values and proven action
is meaningless. Campaign promises without follow through and measured results are an
exercise in disingenuous hyperbole.
In my humble opinion, our elected leaders need to spend more time thinking about
social equality. It is time for many political leaders to stop simply talking of morality and
start acting moral. Religion and morality aren’t synonymous!
Fred Flanagan
Copyright © 2006
[Back to top]
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