Louis Schmier wrote:
Beth, where's the baiting, finger-pointing, and the goading? If our
moral code and behavior doesn't stem from the existence of a Divine
entity and rest on some Divine ordinance, from what does it stem and
on what does it rest?
Many individuals get their sense of a moral/ethical code from a belief
in social justice and universal/fundamental human rights. For those in
the earlier years of cognitive development (children), it may be easier
to influence their behavior by tales of the bogeyman, Santa Claus, or a
heavenly figure with a white beard, than the more difficult and
conceptually complex ideas of social justice and human rights.
Nonetheless, in the long term, one need not believe in a Deity or Divine
ordinance to develop ways of thinking that involve respect and concern
for others. I'm sure the developmental psychologists on the list could
speak to this better than I.
One of the challenges of a moral code grounded in a specific theology is
that all too often it is used as a basis for moral exclusion against
those who think differently. In the words of the esteemed Mark Twain:
Man is the religious animal. He is the only religious animal. He is the
only animal that has the True Religion - several of them. He is the only
animal that loves his neighbor as himself and cuts his throat, if his
theology isn't straight. He has made a graveyard of the globe in trying
his honest best to smooth his brother's path to happiness and heaven
("Man's Place in the Animal World," p. 211, Mark Twain: Collected Tales,
Sketches, Speeches, & Essays, 1891-1910).
For an introduction to the topic of religion and religion-based violence
from a social psychological perspective, see:
Woolf, L. M., & Hulsizer, M. R. (2002/2003). Intra- and inter- religious
hate and violence: A psychosocial model. Journal of Hate Studies, 2, 5-26.
http://guweb2.gonzaga.edu/againsthate/Journal2/GHS106.PDF
I would add that there are many individuals and organizations who have
used their religious beliefs as a foundation for peace, social justice,
equality of rights, etc. I have a deep admiration for the work of these
individuals and groups. But then there are the groups such as
http://www.godhatesfags.com/, Christian Patriots, Christian Identity,
the Kingdom Identity Ministry, and a host of others that I find quite
repugnant. A belief in the existence of a Divine entity or ordinance is
by no means is a clear path to a moral code that is beneficial to all.
To Peace,
Linda
--
Linda M. Woolf, Ph.D.
Past-President, Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict, & Violence
(Div. 48, APA)
Professor of Psychology and International Human Rights
Coordinator - Holocaust & Genocide Studies,
Center for the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights
Webster University
470 East Lockwood
St. Louis, MO 63119
Main Webpage: http://www.webster.edu/~woolflm/
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's (and woman's) best friend. . . .
Inside a dog, it's too dark to read."
- Groucho Marx
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