To:  The Dallas Morning News
Date:  July 18, 2002
Subject: Religion as the basis for morality, and an alternative
Result: not printed

Dear Editor,

While it is true, as Bob Weir said in a letter to the editor (7-11-02), that "there has never been a secular entity with the ability to construct a moral foundation for the masses," I would disagree with his conclusions. To Mr. Weir, questions like how well have such moral foundations been constructed - how beneficially to mankind - or what is their actual connection to God, are of no account. Just, there has never been anything but religion to give societies a basis for morality. Therefore, that's the only thing that could.

Realistically, the moral codes of societies will always be based on their religions. The religious hold on the world - as exercised and controlled by those who want and have power over "the masses", and generally at their expense - is so thoroughly entrenched, I am sure there is no way its influence could ever be overcome. Of course part of the problem with that is people do feel a need for "meaning" in their lives, and so religion provides a ready, easy "answer".

But that does not make it good and right, and the best that could possibly be. Certainly one big problem with religion as the basis of morality, taken on the world level, is that the different religions are generally in conflict with one another. That is the source of much violence and destruction in the world. Therefore, the overall effectiveness of religion as the basis for morality is severely limited.

The other question I asked is about the connection of the different religions to God? I believe that God is the creator of the universe, but there is no evidence whatever to suggest that he is anything other than a spectator. Certainly he is not the megalomaniac he is portrayed to be, acting in behalf of the different cultures that produced their versions of him, and usually sending everybody else to hell (something that could not possibly exist within a universe that is occupied by an infinite, all-encompassing God - forgetting the basic immorality of hell).

I do not believe that God put us on the earth just so we can all play guessing games as to who he is and what he wants and whose side is he on, or to concern ourselves with him at all. We were not created because he needed somebody to praise and worship him. Rather, he put us here to see what we could do and accomplish with our lives on the earth, defining our values in terms of the earth, including our morality.

Concerning the worship of God, that is something that began back in the early days when mankind first started creating gods. Later, when we conceived the very reasonable idea that there could only be one God, we assumed that he too must want to be worshipped and praised - and even to have bloody sacrifices made to him. But why? An intelligent being, whether man or God, would not have such desires.

As for morality, there is a good, earthly basis for moral behavior in the world, which is just sensibility and enlightened self-interest. The natural disposition of (most) children is to be respectful and concerned and magnanimous - moral - without reference to God, but just, basically, because it's good and fun. It is its own reward.

But how do you maintain that basic moral goodness throughout people's lives, and then incorporate it into the basic structure of society, including the whole world that's trying to live together with each other? Obviously, if it could happen, it would have to be a function of education, and giving all children what they need to thrive and develop their full potential.

No, such an earth-based moral foundation has never been constructed, nor is it likely that it ever will be. But to the extent that it cannot, that is how far humanity will fall short of what it could be, and what I believe God would like for us to evolve to.

Thank you, John Vehon

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