Whatever slight positive effect on morality religion might have is
due
to fear of punishment, which IMHO is not really anything to brag
about.


Scott Vernon wrote:
Huh? You must be catholic.


Which type of ethical principle is better:

1- To do the right thing(s) because they are right

2- To do the right thing(s), or at least to avoid doing wrong, because
one is afraid of being caught & punished

???

I may be kind of old fashioned but it seems to me that 1 is superior.

This of course avoids the question of how one determines what is right
and wrong, which is a whole 'nuther debate. Churches tend to discourage
any attempt to seriously examine either of these questions.... or all
questions entirely, which is why the Catholics booted me out

DSK