Topic 4.2 – The relationship between religion and morality

“Without God, there is no morality” In your group, what are the issues with this claim? (could be comments, questions, evidence for or against…)

“Without God, there is no morality”

Is there a relationship between morality and religious belief? Broadly speaking: YES - Dependence – morality depends on religious belief NO - Independence – morality and religious belief are independent of each other

Is there a relationship between morality and religious belief? More specifically: Autonomy Morality is independent of religion. Its principles are justified on the basis of reason or experience alone, without reference to religious concepts. Doesn’t mean it is opposed to religion, or that a religious person couldn’t follow it. Utilitarianism, for example, is autonomous.

Is there a relationship between morality and religious belief? Heteronomy Morality depends on the authority of religious beliefs, or is based on ideas that come from religion, rather than from reason or experience alone. Roman Catholic teachings (from the Catechism) are an example of heteronomous morality, because the moral rules are based on faith in the Catholic authorities.

Is there a relationship between morality and religious belief? Theonomy Morality and religion both depend on a common source for their principles and values (usually God). Morality does not depend on the authority of a religious group. Natural Law Theory is an example of theonomy, because morality is based on an understanding of God who created everything with a purpose, and this understanding of God is also the basis of belief in him.

On your whiteboard: Draw three little diagrams to illustrate the differences between each approach.

Evaluating the three approaches… Read the text. Create a for/against table for each approach. (although it is headed “arguments for”, some of the arguments for one approach are also arguments against the others. You can also think of arguments of your own to add. You’ll need your brain switched on!!)

Have you met today’s objectives? Know the technical terms: dependence, independence, autonomy, heteronomy, theonomy Understand the three main approaches Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these three approaches

Flipped Learning for next Monday: Research what is Divine Command Theory and what are its strengths and weaknesses. Fill in the sheet in your own words.