I more or less agree, although I'll take it a step further.
Let's take the example of Christianity in America. Arguing with Christians tends to leave you with the impression that Christians think they have a monopoly on morality in this country. Even ignoring the fact that they seemingly would have no reason to act in a moral manner without their religion, the key themes that, for them, are the driving motivators to be *particularly* moral is the idea of Heaven and Hell. So, basically, they buy into their religious beliefs because of the selfish and greedy hope of Heaven - the bribe that cannot be denied - and their fear of eternal torment. So even though for them part of being moral is being selfless, for the bottom line they're acting purely out of self-interest, not out of love for their deity or whatnot. So even while using religion as a crutch to *force* themselves to be moral, they're not even particularly moral then, by their own standards, nor can they be so long as they accept the doctrine of heaven and hell. Talk about a deficit in moral capital. :/
no subject
Let's take the example of Christianity in America. Arguing with Christians tends to leave you with the impression that Christians think they have a monopoly on morality in this country. Even ignoring the fact that they seemingly would have no reason to act in a moral manner without their religion, the key themes that, for them, are the driving motivators to be *particularly* moral is the idea of Heaven and Hell. So, basically, they buy into their religious beliefs because of the selfish and greedy hope of Heaven - the bribe that cannot be denied - and their fear of eternal torment. So even though for them part of being moral is being selfless, for the bottom line they're acting purely out of self-interest, not out of love for their deity or whatnot. So even while using religion as a crutch to *force* themselves to be moral, they're not even particularly moral then, by their own standards, nor can they be so long as they accept the doctrine of heaven and hell. Talk about a deficit in moral capital. :/