Originally Posted by knot_e_lady

I think too many people in today's society are too worried about themselves and not about their fellow man.

I think it's truly ironic that most people who would call themselves 'Christians' in the next breath would say something along the lines of "well, I don't want my tax dollars going to help those lazy people who won't get a job", or "Why can't that homeless guy help himself?"

They truly forget Jesus' greatest teaching, Love God, and love each other. Not, love God and love each other when it's convenient for me.

Originally Posted by team_barlo

That's part of the reason I kicked the habit. I have a lot of respect for Jesus--just have a problem with the religion that grew up around him.

Originally Posted by cnredd

Where have you been?!?!...

They're not dead, but the people that still have them are vilified...

Originally Posted by smithadam

Citizen of america is working so hard to have morally and ethical lives.

Originally Posted by team_barlo

Morality to me isn't Christinity (in and of itself) or exclusion of others who are not of that mindset. Morality is an openness to people of other faiths and mindsets who harm no one. Morality is inclusion and warmth (whenever possible) as opposed to exclusion and fear. It isn't about who you have mutually consensual adult sex with in private. It isn't about hunting or not hunting, carnivore, omnivore or herbivore. It isn't about tattoos and piercings or arts & crafts, boy scouts, girl scouts or the United Way.

Morality is teaching your children the realities of the world rather than shielding them from it. Mortality is educating yourself open-mindedly about politics and voting in an informed manner. Morality is accepting NOTHING at face value and questioning EVERYTHING (the single most important lesson of my 4 year undergraduate career). Morality is raising children in a loving and good-hearted manner that allows them to question and learn. Morality is kindness to animals and respect for their quality of life. Morality is looking others--be they human or other life forms--directly in the eye and connecting with their soul (even if that other being is an enemy). Morality is kind.

I'm a former Christian, but even I believe the passage in I Corintiains 13 pretty much sums up most of it.

In short, morality is kind heartedness--not hatred.

Based on this I would say that some religious groups have eroded the standards of morality in this nation just as much as some other factions.