Many people assume that morality comes from the religion that is followed. They themselves feel that way. However, they are surprised to learn that atheists have morality. In fact, atheists do not follow religion. So, is it true that morality comes from religion?
According to Jim Davies in his book "Riveted: The Science of Why Jokes Make Us Laugh, Movie Make Us Cry, and Religion Makes Us Feel One with the Universe", morality does not originate from religion. Morality comes from genetic and cultural component. The cultural component is influenced by religion. Case in point is the saying "Merry Christmas" from Muslims to Christians and Catholics. There are some Muslims who forbid this saying. However, there are some Muslims who allow this statement. Regardless of whether an explanation of this utterance is in the Qur'an or not, the prohibition / freedom to say this utterance is more often based on "the beliefs of previous people and the culture around them".
Source: Source: https://www.ancient-symbols.com/religious_symbols.html
Nicholas Epley (social psychologist) also conducts research on morality. The research focuses on moral beliefs in self and moral beliefs that come from God. The result of this study is moral beliefs in themselves in accordance with moral beliefs that come from God. When we change someone's moral beliefs, we also change his view of what God thinks. However, the person still believes that the moral compass he has comes from what God considers to be truth and error.
Source: https://webaum.com/gallery_detail.php?pid=418
The results of Davies and Epley's research also apply to atheists. Atheists tend to take morality from culture around them. The culture is influenced by religions that they do not profess.
