The removal of God from the American public sphere has sent the country in a direction that inevitably calls for an answer to the question of whether or not religion is necessary in society. Is it possible for mankind to create a reasonably decent civilization completely absent of religion? Is a moral code cogent without religious principles?

Dr. D. James Kennedy addresses these questions in this full-length sermon by refuting the myth behind them. He quotes Fyodor Dostoevsky’s profound insight: “If there is no God, everything is permissible.” If everything is permissible then there can be no room for morality because then there can be no logical objection as to how individuals conduct themselves. There would be no right or wrong, good or evil. In addition, history reveals that mankind has never been able to maintain morality without a religious foundation. A man-made moral code is one that is biased, arbitrary, subject to change, and as a result, unreliable.

With insight and understanding, Dr. Kennedy explains that there are three critical reasons why morality cannot exist without religion:

1. It is impossible to get people to follow a set of man-made ethics.
2. Since no moral code can be imposed on others, this would include any man-made morality.
3. “Rational reasons” for moral actions are not sufficient to convince people how they ought to act.

Morality without religion degenerates into materialism which defines life as nothing more than matter and movement. To our relief, God’s moral code not only gives us meaning, but is absolutely reliable and true. He also lovingly extends His grace and mercy to those who have broken it offering them the promise of life to the fullest.