Developing A Universal Religion/Determining Moral Behaviours
Currently our “universal religion-to-be” is an undefined figment; it needs substance to give it shape. Just what is entailed in supporting life’s journey to possess omnipotent abilities? What moral injunctions might be imposed by adoption of such a doctrine? This chapter begins a discussion of questions such as these.
Because moral decisions made within a religious framework are intended to further the attainment of a religion’s purpose, then moral codes must be logically linked to, and derivable from, this purpose. When this connection is not readily evidenced or traceable, behavioural codes appear to be adrift and may fall open to different interpretations. Moreover, various codes may well be at odds with one another, for without sound links connecting them to the desired purpose any injunction may be embodied. In short, causal relationships are as important in religion as they are in science and for exactly the same reason: the universe is causal, and correct explanations will bear witness to this causality. Similarly, correct behaviour will also be causal—the event sought determines the causal action required (i.e., “correct behaviour” is purpose directed behaviour). Further, our rational minds need the ability to cross-check their analyses, because they have evolved to operate this way through being successful in a rational universe. Causal links provide this ability.
But until the precisely worded universal purpose is defined, we must work with our proposed meta-purpose concept.[1] This renders the process more complex; moral behaviours derived from a meta-purpose rather than a universal purpose will almost always be imprecise, and some may be completely off the mark. This chapter simply serves to illustrate how a “moral” direction might be deduced—a feat that will be more judiciously accomplished once a universal purpose has been defined. Thus, in that they serve only as examples, my derivations in this chapter are of limited practical application other than as a spring board for further discussion.
We again set out from the beginning by restating the facts that form the basis of our current understanding of reality.
Footnotes edit
- ↑ See Introduction to Part Four for a distinction between these two terms.