Are religious people more moral than atheists?

Sheryll (No)

Though the world’s major religions indeed dictate morality, it is misleading to assume heightened morality relies solely upon religion. One reason for this is that morality tends to differ from one religion to another. 

In the 19th century, for example, polygamy was considered a “moral imperative” to Mormons, but a sin to Catholics. Similarly, moral ideals also evolve. Many Anglican churches have exemplified this by revising their doctrines to allow contraception, female ordination, and same-sex unions. Furthermore, people who are religious don’t always act in ways their religions dictate. The vast majority of Catholics use birth control, even though the church considers it an “intrinsic evil.” Many Buddhists also consider the Buddha a deity, even though Buddhism is a nontheistic religion.

Studies analyzing the behavior of religious and non-religious people have also found no real difference in their morality. In the ‘Good Samaritan Study’, it was found that religiosity has no impact on if a person would stop to help an injured person lying in an alley. A 2013 survey from the Federal Bureau of Prisons also showed that only 0.07% of prisoners are atheists, further proving that non-religious people are not necessarily more immoral. 

One study also found that both atheists and religious people are aligned on ideas of morality. The data, based on 4,000 individuals, found that atheists have a moral compass and share many of the same ethical concerns religious people have, such as protecting the vulnerable. Therefore, though religion can help serve as a moral guide, it is clear that morality is a shared human attribute that goes beyond just religious belief.

Luis (Yes)

While atheists can have the same morals as religious people, these are usually more moral for several reasons. The first one is moral accountability, considering that religious people typically feel obligated to both a higher power and a religious community. This sense of responsibility is crucial since it serves as a strong driving force to uphold principles.

Another one is moral education, which is usually a part of religious upbringing from a very young age, and can shape a person’s moral structure. After all, almost every single religious institution promotes moral responsibility and ethical behavior by teaching the importance of moral principles in everyday life.

Religious people are also more moral than atheists because of social and community support. After all, every religious community usually stresses the importance of following moral principles, often offering social support networks. This feeling of community and the similarity of values are among some of the main reasons why religious people tend to have a higher moral standard. Moreover, people with religious beliefs tend to have a strong moral foundation ingrained in their religion and its sacred texts, as these beliefs, when properly followed, provide structure to their lives and principles that shape their behavior.

Finally, religious people tend to feel a transcendent purpose: a sense of meaning beyond human existence. Some even contend that people can feel their acts as part of a larger plan, which is the reason why they feel accountable for what they do. However, being part of a religion can help build a stronger moral foundation for one’s life, as religious adherents tend to be more morally conscious than their atheist peers. Belief in a Higher Power and accountability after death will do that to you.