A Thesis On Morality

[Cantex77 23]

A Thesis on Morality

After reading Father Johan’s thesis on the Incoherence of Godlessness, I felt compelled to try my hand at explaining what morality is, alongside other things detailed within the thesis itself.

 

“ The first question that comes to mind when contemplating morality is, what exactly is morality? Based upon observations made by theologians of the past, morality is loosely defined as the moral ‘code’ or boundaries that one restricts themselves to. In many situations, trouble arises from differing ‘codes’ butting heads so to speak. Take for example a pickpocket, and the merchant he is stealing from. The beliefs and creeds the pickpocket holds allows him to commit the act of thievery, though whether or not his conscience is affected is another topic all together. Compared to the beliefs of the hardworking merchant, one would say that the pickpocket has ‘poor morals’, for committing the sin of stealing what another man worked for. While in another comparison, the pickpocket has better morals than one who commits the sin of taking another’s life. One’s morality is molded and shaped by the environment they are brought up in, alongside the inborn traits present in a person’s mind. By using discipline and the teachings of their mentors, what the general populous see as ‘good’ morals are allowed to be passed down.

This brings up the influence of one’s own religion upon their innate morality. In many cases, doctrines and beliefs are first instilled into a person’s mind through their daily devotionals or the passing preaching of deacons. The values held within one’s religion acts as a stronger force for shaping morality, as seen in the varying races and cultures of the realm.

Dwarves: As seen in the dwarven religion, their pantheon of gods represent the traditional values held at the very core of their culture. Their morality is shaped by the actions and views of their esteemed men¹ otherwise known as Paragons, and the heretical gods they worship. To give further support of this, they’ve even attributed a pair of gods to their inner struggle of trying to cope with the horrid curse placed upon them by Iblees, the curse of greed. The two gods representing their mental turmoil, Grimdugan and Armakak, are said to be two sides of the same coin, one representing the curse inside of them, while the other is their mercantile spirit. Even the dwarvish nature of breaking blood pacts is attributed to the morals of those around them. Similar to a flock of lamb, when one has an idea and begins acting upon it, the others follow mindlessly, stopping only when they’ve nearly killed themselves.

 

Elves: For the elves, their evident lack of religiousness has led to debauchery and generally speaking, the influx of sinful havens of heresy. What would normally be curbed at a young age through rigorous theological studies has been allowed to fester into a cesspool of what the good people of Oren would call ‘horrific morals’. Where else would you see men joining together with other men? Not to mention the disturbing amount of shadow sneakers, looking to do nothing but cause trouble. While there may be a few elves of upstanding moral background, it is known that it takes more benevolence to balance out the evils present within one’s race.

 

Through one’s own religion, the morals viewed as beneficial are more readily spread than through secular discussion, persuasion, or attacks. As a method of promoting better morals, the theological studies of the various Saints and what they stand for should be delved into. How can one learn of honesty if not through the studies of St. Godwein? What of charity, of which St. Tobias is the Patron Saint? It is through the actions and learnings of those who embody the traits we wish to see in the world that one’s morals can spread as the Creator intended it to. With each passing generation, those who know of the religious figures that should be guiding their actions lessen, to the point that it descends into an abysmal state of disrepair, similarly found in the Godless lands of the elves. “

 

Thus ends the writings of,
~Katrina Marna of Adria

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Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

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