very opinionated opinions.

1.    Almost every single person on this Earth, except the clinically insane, knows right from wrong. That is why one may plea insanity after committing a crime. The fact that there are laws assumes that citizens will all know right from wrong. No one had to tell their children that it is not right to kill another human being. It is just knows. No matter your upbringing, your nurturing, most everyone knows what is right and what is not. That being said, one’s definition of right and wrong can vary greatly. A little girl may find that she must steal so that her family might eat for the first time in days. This is the right thing to do. 

2.    There are actions that are not always morally wrong. If one kills another when they are being attacked and risk losing their own life, then that is not wrong. If one kills another because they gave them a wrong look on the subway, then that is wrong. If one steals a loaf of bread to feed their sister’s starving children, then that is not wrong. If one steals a loaf of bread because they think it is funny or simply because they can, then that is wrong. No two circumstances in life are entirely alike. Different people, different places, and different backgrounds can have huge effects on the way that people act in certain situations. 

3.    Without religion, one cannot lead a moral life. If one does not believe in religion, then they believe that their life is a meaningless result of a bunch of randomly-placed chemical reactions. Religion preaches kindness, love, and life. Without religion, one cannot be happy. One cannot smile knowing that their life is meaningless. To be a happy atheist is to be inconsistent. Without religion, life is an empty eighty-three or so odd years spinning around in a universe that’s constantly expanding. You may have a beautiful life, a beautiful family, and a smile on your face without religion, but you do not have a soul. You do not have a purpose. The people you have touched with your life or good works will one day die, and the universe will eventually end in a fiery heat death. With religion, you have a purpose. You have a soul. You have someone watching over you. You have someone who taught you right from wrong before you were even born. You will be reunited with your family after death. Love means more when you know that love can last eternally. Your life is a beautiful blessing. Religion is the one thing that can save you from the crushing realization that you are just one of the eight billion insignificant lives swirling on this miniscule planet. 

4.    Empathy is an important, yet not the only basis for morality. For example, last year I had a boyfriend that was being rather rude to me and not treating me the way I thought that I deserved to be treated. When I broke up with him, he cried, and cried, and cried. I felt awful for him. I hated to see him cry. I had given him plenty of chances to clean up his act and he had messed up every single one. If I had listened to my empathy, I would have gotten back together with him right away. This was not the truly right thing to do for the both of us. We were better off apart. People must listen to their true sense of right and wrong before making decisions that affect others.