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 Ethical Religion by M.K.Gandhi

Morality as a religion.(Extracts)

Morality and religion have close relationship. There are some people who proclaim themselves as religious but indulge in all types of immoral acts. On the other hand, there are avowed atheists like Charles Bradlaugh who never deviate from principles of morality.  Both these categories of people consider that religion has nothing to do with morality. Both are wrong. But the former are dangerous to society.

There are people who tread the path of morality consciously, deliberately with a determined will, regardless of gain or loss, of life or death, without turning to look back, ready to sacrifice themselves. They can be really said to have been permeated with true morality.

Morality cannot subsist without the support of religion. Bismarck perpetrated dreadful deeds in the interest of Germany. His education and values of morality vanished in the face of difficulties. This is just because his concept of morality was not grounded in religion. Thus it will be seen that true or ideal of morality ought to include true religion. In other words, morality cannot be observed without religion.

Furthermore, it is seen that rules of morality laid down in world’s great religions are largely the same.

God will not come to help us if we utter His name while having a dagger concealed under our arm.

Of two men, one who believes in the existence of God, yet breaks all His commandments; and the other, who, though not acknowledging God by name, worships Him through his deeds, and obeys His laws, recognizing the Divine Maker in His laws- the latter alone can be  considered religious and moral.