No religion doesn't mean no morals

Before anyone gets bent out of shape about your article "More Saying No To Religion" (Monday, March 9), I suggest they look at a 14-month study of religion in Denmark and Sweden by Phil Zuckerman. He noted that those countries were known as among the least religious in the world, and expected "immorality ... and depravity." He wondered how this would square with the fact that Denmark and Sweden are in the top rank in life expectancy, literacy, child welfare, standard of living, and economic competitiveness.

Instead of evil, he found "a society - a markedly irreligious society that was, above all, moral, stable, humane, and deeply good."

I've talked to similar people here, who (like those in Scandinavia) do not call themselves by the anti-religious term "atheist" because they are not against others' religion. Their view is that it's better to be fair and do good because it's the right thing to do, rather than because you're afraid of punishment in hell or because you expect a reward in heaven. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is a moral imperative for, as President Obama said, "a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and nonbelievers."

John Moore

Libertyville