After investigating the definition of morality and moral values and looking at two different arguments which probe the question ‘what is morally good’, we have been examining religious influence on morality. E.g. religious belief, tradition and authority all help guide the religious to moral decision making.Today: we shall be looking at one of the more important guides for morality for a religious follower in the shape of religious texts.

Lesson outline

• Identifying different religions main sacred writings

• Looking at the importance of text in relation to morality

• Advantages and disadvantages of using holy scripture for moral guidance.

Sacred writings

• Islam-

• Sikhism-

• Judaism-

• Christian-

Qur’an & Hadith

Guru Granth Sahib

Torah

Bible

Importance of text• In Islam the Qur’an is regarded as the

actual words of Allah. While the Hadith is believed to be the teachings and example of the Prophet Muhammed.

• Sikhism- the Guru Granth Sahib is thought to be a living Guru or teacher and is a focal point in their worship. The Guru Granth Sahib is so important that it has its own room in the Gurdwara and is woke up in the morning and put to be at night.

• Judaism has the Torah (or scrolls of the law) which are considered to be so holy that they can only be touched by a silver pointer called a yad.

•For Christians the bible is the holiest book. Christians believe that the Bible was inspired by God and some believe it is the actual word of God.

• These holy texts are the main reference point for religious believers when it comes to morality.

• The scriptures (dependant upon the interpretation by the individual or religious authority) will set out and give examples of a moral code or guidelines for which religious believers should follow.

• Even non-religious groups such as the British Humanist Association have a guide for which they recall for moral guidance.

British Humanist Association

• humanists believe that moral values follow on from human nature and experience in some way. Humanists base their moral principles on reason (which leads them to reject the idea of any supernatural agency), on shared human values and respect for others. They believe that people should work together to improve the quality of life for all and make it more equitable. Humanism is a full philosophy, "life stance" or worldview, rather than being about one aspect of religion, knowledge, or politics.

Strengths

• Religious people relying on Holy texts for moral guidance can consult their scripture to see what is right. – they don’t have a Hal moment!

Weaknesses

• Alternative possibilities: killing is wrong, what about killing animals for food or self-defence?

• Do they account for modern dilemmas?

• Translation of sacred texts

• Genesis describes how the world was created in 6 days – but does day mean 24hours? – difficulty of language.

• Contradictory views – Hindus respect the idea of non-violence, but the Holy texts depict glorious battles and many killings. The same can be said for the Hadith and the Prophets journey to Medina.

Interpretations

• There are many different translations and interpretations of text.

• E.g. on the journey to Medina Muhammed giving permission to fight – is it permission to kill?

• It is said that religious scholars must interpret the writings by what they meant at the time they were written