| > Another is a worldview that values selflessness, altruism, and honesty. I don't think those things can exist apart from religion Religion doesn't have a monopoly on those ideals. They are not even solely human ideals. Many mammals display them in certain scenarios. > (at a cultural level, anyway). Many of the least religious countries are the best places to live, and the most religious, the worst. I went to Norway (the least religious country in western Europe), and they often don't check tickets on the train or at the entrances of places. When you ask someone why not, because people could lie, you get an answer like.. "because one wouldn't do that" (ie cheat the system). I got so used to it that I would lose my train tickets in my bag because I didn't need them. The only place I needed them was getting off the train at the airport because there was a machine that checked it. > because as soon as you decide morality is relative then everyone is free to choose the morality that is most convenient for them/their tribe. Religions do this. There are many sects with different rules. People pick and choose what rules to obey all the time. Not being religious doesn't make one a moral relativist. Ethics and morality can be reasoned about. > I think this explains much of our political divide and the "post-Truth" era generally The post-truth era in the West is clearly a product of the religious right: https://youtu.be/xnhJWusyj4I |