Soapbox Rant - Morality

So have you all heard about the judge who posted the Ten Commandments on his wall, along with his own thoughts on morality?  If not, here's the link to the article I read:  http://www.politicsdaily.com/2011/02/02/judges-ten-commandments-display-in-courtroom-ruled-unconstituti/?icid=maing|aim|dl4|sec3_lnk3|41080.  


I've seen some comments on it online, and mostly they speak about the separation of church and state, and how it is not in the U.S. Constitution (which is true).  This judge posted the Ten Commandments and his own notes on morality in the courtroom, and it was ruled unconstitutional.  I think it's one thing to put them in his own office, where he can look at them and be constantly reminded of his values and morals so that he will do the best he can to uphold the law.  But when he hung them where all who come into his courtroom can see, it basically is like saying, "If you're not Christian, you're amoral and you're wrong and I'm going to be biased against you."


Anyway, that whole thing isn't really what bothers me the most.  The thing that really got me is a part of one of his notes that he hung up along with the Commandments.  He stated, "Because morality is based on faith, there is no such thing as religious neutrality in law or morality."  Now this is what pushes my buttons.  Yes, I realize that, for many people, their own morality is based on faith.  But not all morality is based on faith.  


I believe in God.  I was raised Lutheran, but I'm more Agnostic.  A lot of things about organized religion don't make sense to me.  But I really can't believe that all we do when we die is simply turn to dust.  Therefore, I believe in a higher power and some type of afterlife.  However, I do not make choices because of those beliefs.  I choose to do the things that I do, to believe in the things that I believe in, simply because I think they are the right things to do.  I am kind to all people.  I am kind to animals.  I believe in things like equality and peace and selflessness simply because I think that it is the right thing to do.  I don't make the choices I make, or do the things that I do, because of an idea of an afterlife.  I don't do things because a book told me that some man thousands of years ago said that I should do it.


Look, I'm not trying to dog on religion, or anyone who bases their morality on their faith.  To each his own.  I'm not trying to make anyone mad or think that I think I'm better than someone else.  I don't think that way at all, and I'm not trying to upset anyone or offend anyone.  All I'm saying is that morality is not always based on religion.  Not for everyone.  And to say that all people who don't have faith, or don't believe in the Ten Commandments, are amoral is wrong.