Why do theists claim the moral high ground? They don't do what they do because they've considered it and think it's the correct and right course of action, but because they've been bribed and threatened by their religious leaders.
The only true moral stance is that everyone is created equal, and has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Someone else said that. It's nothing to do with the threat of going to hell if you disobey some command.
All discrimation is wrong, whether it's against women, or gays, or blacks, or Jews, or spics, or anyone else. Starting out from that position is a good way to go.
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I have my own questions where morality is concerned. The primary of which is: Why do theists need the threat of Hell in order to be moral?
I subscribe to no god but even by theist's terms I'm a moral person. A friend of mine, who passed away at the age of one hundred, who was a very devote Christian claimed that I too was a Christian but was too ornery to admit it. I don't even believe that Christ existed. I live under no threat of damnation. I don't believe if there was a God that man could understand it. I do however subscribe to one of the Christian values, that being "Do unto others" so maybe that's what caused the confusion.
I've also read enough of the Old Testament to know that the supposed historical figures where not all moral people. Also, in their story of Job, God acted in a most immoral manner. Of course he, God, wasn't under the threat of eternal suffering so maybe that made it okay.
The religious are by definition, immoral given that they do good only to avoid punishment by their good and loving god.
To be truly moral, one should do and be good because that is the right thing to do.
Religious people have absolutely no claim to moral high ground.
I think it's like you told me, that it's pounded into them from an early age and they are myopic. They just haven't developed the critical thinking skills, and confirmation bias on top of that. When my niece was baptized the priest said that little children's brains are like mashed potatoes and they have to mix the religious stuff in early so it stays with them for life. Horrifying and a shocking admission. Luckily my niece outgrew that shit with my help.