Can a society thrive for long without an objective basis for
moral law? Not according to historians Will and Ariel Durant:
- There is no significant example in history, before our time, of a society successfully maintaining moral life without the aid of religion. (The Lessons of History, 1968)
Why is this so? Because without a higher absolute moral
Standard, moral relativism is the only alternative. As such, morality is
humanly created and always evolving. Who then will take it seriously, and who
will eagerly submit to it?
However, religions differ greatly. If their moral teachings
contrast with the teachings that God has written upon our conscience - the laws
of love - they cannot contribute to the well-being of society.
For instance, while many Eastern religions emphasize
compassion, they might also deny that the objects of compassion are real by
rejecting dualism in favor of monism (one reality). Meanwhile, other religions
limit compassion to those of their own tribe.
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