ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Ethics without religion

Okay, so you know when your parents tell you what is right and wrong, like sharing your toys or not hitting your brother/sister? That's kind of like ethics - it's about knowing what is good and bad behavior, and making the right choices in life.

Some people think that you need to believe in God or go to church to have good ethics or morals, but that's not entirely true. You can still be a good person and have values that guide your behavior even if you don't believe in a higher power or follow religious teachings.

People who think about ethics without religion might use other sources to decide what is right or wrong. For example, they might look at what is fair or just, think about what would make people happy or minimize harm, or consider the potential consequences of their actions.

Sometimes there are laws or guidelines set by governments or organizations that people follow to decide what is ethical or not. Other times, people might just use their own sense of empathy or compassion to decide how to act towards others.

Overall, having good ethics is about treating others with kindness and respect, and doing what you can to make the world around you a better place. Whether you believe in God or not, it's important to think about your actions and what kind of impact they have on others.
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