The Problem with religion and morals. Speaks of St.Anselm, Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine

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The Problem with Religion and Morals

The likes of many philosophers including St. Anselm, Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine have written that organized religion is the only source of human beings leading a moral life. One of the defenses of organized religion is that it is the basis of society's morals and therefore it is necessary to prevent social barbarism. This statement is utterly untrue, for there are many open-minded families, throughout the world who live perfectly good lives, with perfectly good morals, without practicing a recognized religion.

Without religion, but with reward and punishment, we train our children to eat with a fork, bathe themselves, and properly use the toilet. In the same way, we train them not to lie, cheat, steal, or sleep around and in general to follow the Golden Rule of Karma, 'Treat others as you want others to treat you' because 'what comes around goes around.'

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St. Thomas Aquinas (c. 1225-1274), the eponym of T...

Thomas Aquinas depicted in stained glass

Children know whether their parents live thus or only talk a good game; they imitate what they see, and they are disciplined if they do not. Parents do not need to direct their children towards participating in church processions in order for the youths to have good morals. A family does not need to take their children to church so they can see how the other children there are learning how to behave, rather then learn themselves. In fact, enforces behavioral patterns and lifestyles so intensely, that there is no room left for individuality. The parent who uses religion to teach his(/her) child morals uses it to continue their own lethargy in teaching the child themselves at the expense of the child's own individuality. Whereas, when a person teaches his(/her) child the basic morals that he(/she) needs in order to contribute to, and be accepted by,