Since religions have a God with a set of rules to base sin upon then the reasons for the commandments cant be God-Created so who created morality in the first place?

Answer 1

AnswerLet's back up a little first. There is a difference between eternal laws and God. The eternal laws simply are. They are the laws of existence. God exists within the parameters of eternal laws. He is our Heavenly Father, of whom our spirits are born. We came to this earth and received a mortal physical body. But we have been promised an opportunity to be able to return to live with him with a resurrected body in this place of harmony.

We give our children "rules" that we expect them to obey so that they can become loving adults and responsible, productive members of their community. To a child not all of these rules seemdirectly related to being a productive member of society - such as having to be in bed by 8:30, or having to wait until after dinner to eat dessert. Even as they approach adulthood we set curfews for them that they rarely think are fair or reflective of their own perceived maturity. None-the-less we know that if they will obey, in time, they will come to their own understanding of the wisdom of these rules.

God has likewise given us "commandments" to help us navigate the eternal laws. If our child doesn't understand the reason we have made a rule, we expect him to ask us, not just ignore it for lack of understanding. Sometimes their level of reasoning is not developed enough for a thorough discussion of the matter and must be put into simpler terms. Heavenly Father will help us to gain an understanding of his commandments if we but ask with real intent and are patient enough to let him show us. "Ask and ye shall receive". I think this applies to knowledge perhaps more than anything else.

Obeying the commandments keeps us in harmony with God, in communion with him, and on that path back to him and that great eternal round. Of course the greatest commandment is to love him. Obedience to all other commandments naturally follows out of a great love for him.

When we have sinned, we have created a chaos that moves us out of harmony with God/the eternal laws, and that must be rectified.

AnswerNot all religions have a God. Consider Buddhism where the Buddha explicitly said he was not a god and that the existence or otherwise of god is not necessary to the practise of Buddhism. AnswerThis is one loaded question, but an excellent one and it's a good sign you are doing a lot of thinking and searching for a good belief system. We are created to know right from wrong and God gave us the freedom to use our minds for good/evil. You see it all around you. When you think evil is gaining by a lot, along comes a miracle. If we all gave up and decided because bad things happen to good people then evil would simply win. As worn out and sad as we can get at times it's proof there is a Supreme Being out there that keeps us putting one foot in front of the other no matter how tired we are. If we are really listening and looking we will realize we are truly never really alone.

As a Christian myself I am always reminding myself not to come across pompous or with all the answers as it does say in The Bible that we should not do so. I remember the quote that says, "For those who have not sinned cast the first stone." Well, I'm almost 65 and I haven't seen any stone throwing yet!

Man makes the changes in morality. If you study the Puritans it was a form of control. It was the Puritans (so-called clean of heart) that the true meaning of religion slipped between the cracks and burned so-called witches at the stake. We can go back into history and see how much of this went on in the name of God as well as wars. God didn't ask any such thing from any of us.

Each one of us has the power to see things in a clear light as to whether they are evil or not (not just because someone is different in their values, religion, etc.) and change things if we wish too or, we can simply sit back and let things go astray. It's up to each one of us. It could be something as simple of helping a lonely person get help, sitting with the sick, helping the poor, being a good friend, or simply loving those close to you. You don't have to be famous and make a name of yourself to be counted on the list God may have.

AnswerSince the original question postulated (I think) something about religions having a god that created rules upon which the definition of sin is based, but "the commandments can't be from God," let me step in and say that the presumption is incorrect. The definition of morality comes from the definition of sin, both of which come from God.

• A point well taken, but, some people can twist what they feel is moral or immoral. Of course there are the 10 Commandments which was a message from God, but to some these Commandments are confusing (such as: An eye for an eye.) The bottom line is, there is something in each of us from birth from God (the creator) that can lead us down the path of what we know is good or evil.

AnswerThis is why the language of mind is going to become more and more pertinent. A sin is a mistake where no learning has occurred and therefore is repeated. If you choose to take the time and effort to learn about the universal laws, then you can make use of these things rather than simply continue to debate and speculate or worse, take someone else's word rather than investigate. Learn how to take believing into knowing. Jesus represents that part of each of us. All of this information is available to anyone who will ask the questions that are really important. The commandments are universal laws that wait for your understanding through the universal language of mind. Language of mind can be applied to any of the major holy works which provide the same pictures. You will have many pleasant surprises on this journey. Rather than be weighed down with conflicts in beliefs, go find out what is. Another AnswerMoral laws were independently created by co-living groups of people (that's why in different places moral laws are different), based upon, which actions brought negative effects and consequences, and which not. For example let's take the highest sin in Christianity: Killing a person. Now let's see some of the bad consequences such action may have:

1)Loss of this person's physical and mind capabilities and skills: The amount of physical and mental work, plus special skills, like reading, cooking e.t.c. this person could do are lost.

2)Loss of this person's personality: You are no more able to talk to this person, learn more about him/her and make social relations between both.

3)Dead body: A corpse will appear, which will start decay, stink and bring infection. if not taken a proper care.

Also, if you are interested, why do people do good acts, like helping an old lady, then, go to the link, titled "psychological egoism", I've posted bellow.

A Short Answer

Morality, or Natural Law, is place into our being by God.