Can Religion Be Coterminous with Morality? Discuss in the Light of Gandhian Philosophy
In Gandhian philosophy, religion and morality are deeply intertwined. Gandhi did not view religion in terms of rituals, dogmas, or institutional practices. Instead, he saw religion as a quest for truth and moral righteousness. For him, a religion that does not elevate moral behavior is no religion at all.
Gandhi believed that all true religions share common ethical principles like love, truth, non-violence, and compassion. These values are not confined to any particular faith but are universal and form the moral backbone of human society. Therefore, morality is the foundation of true religion.
He once said, “Morality is the basis of things and truth is the substance of all morality.” This underscores his belief that morality and religion are coterminous—they originate from the same source and aim for the same end: human betterment and spiritual evolution.
Thus, in Gandhian philosophy, religion and morality are inseparable, and the measure of one’s religiosity lies in moral conduct.