YOU ARE REQUIRED TO RESEARCH THIS STATEMENT BASED ON THE ANY

LEAST 2-3 ASIAN RELIGIONS STUDIED IN THIS MODULE AND PROVIDE A

GOOD LITERATURE REVIEW TO DEMONSTRATE THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN RELIGIOUS VALUES AND ETHICAL VALUES.

Most of us who have religious beliefs, often these beliefs are closely tied to our values
and to the ethical principles we believe. But it would be a mistake to assume that ethical
values are simply religious values. At least, the relationship is more complex than people
sometimes realize. Religion and ethics are obviously intertwined as it exist countless studies
of Christian ethics, Islamic ethics, Hindu ethics and so on. Both religion and ethics serve a
common need in our society. Societies are built on the plank of co-existence and mutuality.
Ethics is the study of what "ought" to be. It is a theoretical study and is otherwise referred
to as the study of morality. Moral is an important part in ethics. Ethics as a branch of
philosophy, has three components (Feiser 2003): "meta-ethics" studies the sources and
meaning of ethical terms; "normative ethics" does the more practical task of examining the
moral standards that regulate right and wrong conduct; and "applied ethics" examines
controversies such as abortion, infanticide, animal abuse, environmental concerns,
homosexuality and capital punishment. To behave ethically is to behave in a manner
consistent with what is right or moral. Ethics is simply the principles used by people that
control their conduct.
Religion is a system of thoughts, feelings, and approach that is shared by a group of
members and that gives the members an object of devotion; a code of behavior by which
individuals may judge the personal and social consequences of their actions, and a frame of
reference by which individuals may relate to their group and their universe.
There is a spectrum of views about how religion and ethics are related from the view that
religion is the absolute bedrock of ethics to one that holds that ethics is based on humanistic
assumptions justified mainly and sometimes only, by appeals to reason. These two extremes
tend to be argued in a way that offers little room for compromise or pragmatic solutions to
real issues we face every day.

The relationship between religion and ethics is about the relationship between revelation
and reason. Religion is based in some determine on the notion that God (or deity) reveals
insights about life and its true meaning. These insights are collected in texts (e.g. Bible, the
Quran, etc.) and presented as revelation. Ethics, from a strictly humanistic outlook, is based
on the tenets of reason. Anything that is not rationally verifiable cannot be considered
justifiable. From this perspective, ethical principles need not obtain their authority from
religious doctrine. Instead, these principles are upheld for their value in promoting
independent and responsible individuals who are capable of making decisions that maximize
their own good while respecting the well-being of others.
Even though religious and secular ethics dont obtain their authority from the same
source, but it wont stop us from find a way to establish common ground between them;
otherwise were condemning ourselves to live amidst social conflict and division.
As we can see in our societies, most people accommodate the requirements of reason
(ethics) and religion by developing certain qualities that we would bring to our everyday
ethical discussions. Aristotle said that cultivating qualities (virtues) like truthfulness,
reason, accommodation, compromise, honesty, wisdom, moderation, and prudence. Among
others, would allow us all to enter the discussions and conflicts between religion and ethics,
where differences exist with a measure of moderation and agreement. When ethics and
religion collide, nobody wins. However, when religion and ethics find space for discussion
and agreement, we could maximize the prospects for constructive choices in our society.
Although ethics is in adherence to law and social expectation, however it also has their
root in religion. All religion has their influence in ethics values. Islam is a way of life or Deen
and those who practice the Islamic faith are called Muslims. Deen is derived from Arabic root
DYN and can be describe as the complete way of life that encompasses faith and subjugation
to Allah (God), and includes every aspect of how we live our lives. Generally, Deen means

indebtedness, submissiveness, judicious power and natural inclination. Islamic ethics is

applies to the self, family, relations, business, medicines, science and the environment. In
Islamic ethics, it is defined as Akhlaq (good character). Muslims derive their Islamic ethics
from the Quran and the Hadith. The Quran contains several guidelines or ethics that
Muhammads followers must comply with. The Hadith presents Muhammad as the
exemplary human whom Muslims must imitate in all respects. The Islamic view of ethics,
like the Christian view of ethics, affirms ethical absolutes. Whereas the Bible grounds
morality in Gods essential character, the Quran teaches that God cannot ultimately be
known. Islam and Christianity agree to some of the similar moral standards although
significant differences exist.
The concept of ethics in Islam centers on certain basic beliefs and principles. Among
these are the following being summarizes:

God is the Creator and Source of all goodness, truth, and beauty.
Man is a responsible, dignified, and honorable agent of his Creator.
God has put everything in the heavens and the earth in the service of mankind.
By His Mercy and Wisdom, God does not expect the impossible from man or hold
him accountable for anything beyond his power. Nor does God forbid man to enjoy

the good things of life.

Moderation, practicality, and balance are the guarantees of high integrity and sound

morality.
All things are permissible in principle except what is singled out as obligatory, which

must be observed, and what is singled out as forbidden, which must be avoided.
Mans ultimate responsibility is to God and his highest goal is the pleasure of his
Creator.

Christianity is a monotheistic religion and centre on the life and teaching of Jesus Christ.
There are many branches of Christianity with a different set of beliefs such as the Catholics,
Protestant and Anglican. Sometimes Christianity is identified as ethical monotheism which

means belief in one God who makes us follow a number of specific ethical understandings.
Christian ethics is a branch of Christian theology that defines concepts of right (virtuous) and
wrong (sinful) conduct from a Christian viewpoint.
Biblical Christian ethics is undividable from theology because it is grounded in the
character of God. The task of Christian ethics is to determine what conforms to Gods
character and what does not. The way of life preached and guided by Jesus has been the
foundation of Christian ethics and can be applied to many parts of life. Obedient love is at
the centre of the life and teachings of Jesus and the moral principles are outlined in the Bible.
Christian ethics are practiced in relation to social and interpersonal, self and family, business,
consumer and trade, medicine, science, health and environment.
Below is the Christian ethical foundation which is based on Gods commandments:

Honour father and mother.

Shall not murder.
Shall not commit adultery.
Shall not steal.
Shall not bear false witness to neighbor.
Shall not covet anything of your neighbours.

In Christian perspective, as long as we show our love to God and his creations, we would not
cast away our decisions from ethical and moral considerations.