I promised to write about religious notions of morality at the end of my last post, and, rather than wait, I thought I might as well post a quick thought, especially given that a study was recently published that echoed my opinion on this subject.
The religious have a very skewed view of morality.
"Most theists think that what is morally "good" is obedience to authority combined with a determination to control their private parts."
"In short, the religious are pathologically anal retentive. "
This is why they have no trouble watching movies with appalling violence but become outraged at any nudity. They are completely unconcerned with preventing harm to others or with helping others. The study I mentioned may be read at this link.
This infantile definition of morality is consistent with their oft heard statements that they (and everyone else, in their estimation) behave morally only because they fear god's punishment. Behaving morally only when failure to do so will be punished is the lowest stage of moral development, called the "obedience and punishment orientation".
"The religious are trapped in the lowest stage of moral development."
W.C. Crain. (1985). Theories of Development. Prentice-Hall. pp. 118-136:
http://faculty.plts.edu/gpence/html/kohlberg.htm
The following sums it up:
"Morality is doing what is right, no matter what you are told. Religion is doing what you are told, no matter what is right."
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