a)Examine two critiques of the link between religion and morality.[18]
‘One of the fundamental differences between a religious and non-religious person is in their perception of morality’ (Nelson, in The Immorality of Religious Morality). By this he meant, ______.Ethical questions such as ‘is it possible to be religious but not moral?’ and ‘does the existence of a moral law presuppose the existence of a moral law-giver?’ have been raised over the centuries and scholars have responded in a variety of ways. Some of the key critiques include ideas such as, ______.
The link between religion and morality is a problem for theists to resolve since it is no longer possible to unquestionably accept religion as the source of morality especially in the light of recent religious conflicts.However, Aquinas, in the Summa Theologica, asserted ______. Furthermore, Plato affirmed that ______. Human behaviour, subsequently, is only a reflection of the perfection of a supreme deity. Additionally, Copleston, in discussion with Russell, argued ______; but Russell replied______. In contrast, Kant postulated ______.
A key problem for theists is moral demands, apparently made by God, lead to absurd or dangerous outcomes; Plato’s Euthyphro dilemma sets out to demonstrate this and this is the first critique I am examining. It propounded this question: ______. Both positions highlight problems for the relationship between God and morality. The first position______.This is not the traditional God of theism. So is the alternative position tenable?
In the second position ______Of course, believers assume God is the source of goodness and is the omnipotent creator of moral standards.
So the Euthyphro dilemma reveals that morality depends on God’s whims. Also it demands us to ask how do we deal with situations in which God does not specifically give a command (e.g. abortion is not mentioned in scripture). Furthermore, many non believers are moral. They may act in ways that do not deviate from God’s morality – what is the source of their behaviour? Jean Porter (in Moral Action in Christian Ethics) asked if we should refuse euthanasia simply because it goes against God’s authority. Is God’s morality exhaustive?
The second critique under examination is arguably the greatest challenge to theists. The Old Testament stories appear to refute the link between religion and morality. The bizarre story in Genesis 22 of Abraham ______leads us to question the omnibenevolence and omniscience of God. Is this the God who is apparently the source of morality? Don’t we understand that killing one’s son is murder?
Maybe there is a way of viewing this incident and still retain theist beliefs. Kierkegaard (in Fear and Trembling) claimed ______.The story of Abraham’s intended sacrifice of Isaac is so absurd it could only possibly be a joke, argued Tyler (in God Jokes). Hampson (cited in Habgood’s Varieties of Unbelief) sees the Abraham/Isaac situation from Sarah’s perspective. She argued ______. Additionally, Habgood asked ______.
Moreover, the story of Jephthah’s vow to sacrifice his daughter (Judges 11:30) present a real challenge to theists. One interpretation of this story will lead us to think that Jephthah’s promise to sacrifice the first person to come out of his door, if God would allow him to conquer the Ammonites, is a foolish one. What is perhaps more foolish is that God allows this vow to be fulfilled. We have to question the nature of God: ______. However, maybe this story can be accounted for the language involved. Maybe Jephthah didn’t agree to sacrifice his daughter in the sense of death, but to sacrifice her life in giving it to God in a monastic life.
Furthermore the story of Job also causes theists problems. A God who colludes with the devil is not often on the list of his attributes. He allowed Job to suffer in horrendous ways to test his faith. This, of course, could be used to justify why people suffer. We also have to remember that this story may never have been intended to be taken literally, but as an analogy or myth; a story with a meaning. However, one chooses to interpret these stories, it is obvious that they challenge theists and the idea of the God of Classical Theism.
b)To what extent do these critiques succeedin destroying the link between religion and morality? [9]
Are these arguments conclusive proof that religion and morality are not linked? Does the apparent immorality in the Old Testament destroy this link? There is evidence to suggest that religious ‘morality’ could be regarded as immoral. ______
However, we cannot deny that although we live in a highly secular world, religious morality has not gone away. ______
So to what extent do these critiques succeed in destroying the link between religion and morality? ______