Religion is in decline – so why are people so well behaved? (UK)

[SecularMotion]

One of the most mystifying aspects of recent governments' emphasis on religion as a source of individual and social values has been its total mismatch with reality. Survey after survey has shown the population as a whole, and young people in particular, increasingly turning away from religious beliefs and influences entirely – and yet there has been no detrimental effect on the wellbeing of the nation.

The latest poll to highlight this mismatch was published yesterday, and focused on the opinions of young people aged 18-24. It found that 56% consider themselves to be of no religion (versus 28% Christian); 56% never attend a church or place of worship (versus 5% attending at least weekly); 57% saying they do not believe in a God (versus 25% saying they do); and 53% said religious leaders have no influence on their lives (versus 12% saying they have a lot or a fair amount of influence). Damningly, 41% said that religion is more often the cause of evil in the world than of good, with just 14% saying the opposite.

But has this led to the feared moral vacuum? The survey suggests not – just that young people get their morality from elsewhere. Eighty-two per cent said their parents have a lot or a fair amount of influence on them, whereas 77% cited their friends. When asked about societal welfare, only 19% said 'It's everyone for themselves'. When asked about attitudes to money, just 11% said that they 'spend what you earn as now, as life's too short'. Sixty-five per cent said they are proud of the armed forces, 77% proud of the NHS, 62% of the BBC and 70% of the nation's history. These findings are supported by wider research which shows that the non-religious are just as charitable and volunteer as much as the religious (they are sometimes less visible for the simple reason that they do not typically do either in the name of their non-religion).

However, given that there has been a change in recognised moral authority away from religion and towards secular influences, the question arises as to when a government is going to realise this change and accept the implications for public policy.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/comment/talking-politics/religion-decline-why-people-well-behaved-094742957.html#4HpTqT6

[KansDem]

1. "Morality"

mo·ral·i·ty
/məˈralətē/

Noun
Principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior.

One doesn't need myth and superstition to distinguish between right and wrong.

Oh, and while we're on the subject "religion" and "morality," a rather timely DU thread:
'Prepare to be shocked,' Milwaukee archbishop warns of priest sex files

[Rod Walker]

2. Bearing in mind that "right" and "wrong" are human constructs...an invention, if you will.

As such, morals are ultimately a matter of opinion without an objective definition.

[helomech]

3. okay

So if I were to apply your logic, then it would be safe to say if I had my own island then I could have human sacrifices without would intervention?

[Rod Walker]

4. Assuming no outside force intervened, of course you could.

This also assumes that no one on your island prevents you from making such sacrifices.

[KansDem]

8. "Human sacrifices?"

I believe are a result of religion, the bringer of "morality" if one was to believe the religionists.

Human sacrifice

[Jim__]

6. There are people who study animals that would disagree that morality is a human invention.

Here is a Ted Talk by Frans de Waal on moral behavior in animals.

[Rod Walker]

7. Fair point. An invention, nonetheless.

[Jim__]

11. The difference is that de Waal is making an argument supported by years of working with animals.

You're just making a non-supported proclamation.

[rurallib]

5. morals have little to do with religion

I am sure the priest who molested me would agree.
I doubt deep down that religions ever really had moral authority.

[rug]

9. That same poll has 54% of the respiondents agreeing with this statement:

Rules on immigration are not tough enough, and we should allow fewer people to come and live and work
in Britain

74% agreed with this statement:

The benefits system is a good thing, but too many people who don't really need help take advantage of it

I suppose "well behaved" is a matter of opinion.

[cbayer]

10. He starts out with some statements that he never backs up.

The "recent governments' emphasis on religion as a source of individual and social values"? Recent surveys have "led to the feared moral vacuum"? Where does that come from? It may be out there but I haven't read anything like that.

This survey was discussed at length in another thread. I never saw anyone here ever suggest that it meant there would be a subsequent change in moral or ethical behavior.

[trotsky]

14. Perhaps because the writer is in a different country,

he (and his readers) are more aware of the support for those statements. It may have been more publicized there as part of a policy or current events discussion.

Or as you seem to believe, perhaps he just made it all up and there isn't a pervasive belief in most societies that religious belief is the basis of morality.

[Dawson Leery]

12. Religion has no bearing on morality.

Some of the most devout religious people have fallen short of their own standards.

[dimbear]

13. Moderns get their morality from soap operas and crime shows.

Ask around.

You might not rate these sources very highly being sophisticated as you are, but still as the article notes the world isn't any worse off.