geep

I think size would be a measure of success. These organizations seem to point themselves toward size as a goal (conversion of the unbelievers). That might be more of the reason for their success than the morals they possess. I think, personally, that your morals are generated by the significant people and events you come in contact with throughout your life. The basis for your morals develop early, and you refine them as you get older. You look at a situation and filter it through your own "moral codes", changing their definition as the situation demands. Many people develop similar morals through their self-perpetuating nature (i.e. I learned them from my parents and passed them along to my children). The collection of these similar morals generate a "social morality". This social morality seems to be what we try to enforce with laws. Do you believe that laws should reflect morality? Maybe laws are another transport for them? Seems to be a "chicken or egg" type of argument- which came first, rules (laws) or morals?