Post by Cloud HobbitWhat if you were unaware of any God myths would you still think that
biblical morality is correct? If so why?
A lot of it is -- or should be -- uncontroversial because it is as
near-universal as makes no difference. Injunctions to respect your
parents, to obey the law, not to steal or murder, not to mess with
someone's spouse ... they are self-evidently correct and moral, and can
be argued and justified without resorting to any deity.
The validity of harsher aspects of biblical morality depend very much on
context and circumstances. For us lucky folk, they have no place in
today's world where we have developed other mechanisms for coping, for
ensuring the survival of communities and societies. But if you were to
live on the margins, if your survival and that of your family and
community were constantly at risk of extinction, then a great many of
these rules can make sense. Dietary rules can help promote good
nutrition. Social diktats can ensure a cultural identity, social
harmony, conformity and cohesion: vital when a small community is
constantly threatened by the environment, the climate, or other outside
agencies (especially bigger or more aggressive human neighbours).
Adultery, for example, is not a major problem for us who live in large
cities and even larger nation-states -- but in a small and often
isolated community the ructions caused by sleeping around are a serious
threat to the social fabric. A Kalahari bushman or member of an
Amazonian tribe may scratch his or her head at the notion of such laws
promulgated by an invisible and ineffable sky pixie, but I warrant they
will recognise and approve of the rules themselves, recognising their
utility.