Religion: Is it vital for goodness?

I am a walking paradox. I live by principles that may suggest a relatively conservative mindset, yet I live whatever squeaky-clean life I lead in the most reckless way possible. I do things that make people question my gender, my age and my sanity (those who know me personally can testify without contest). It's hard for people to believe that I even abide by any rules of existence at all.

Whenever people find out that I don't drink, smoke, do drugs nor believe in premarital sex, AND am working towards being a vegetarian, the first reason they attribute such discipline to is religion. It's quite ironic, since I don't have a religion - in fact, I seem a lot more religious than a lot of friends I do know who do have a religion.

I do build my principles to a certain extent on the basis of the question, "What would God do at a time like this?" But religious context aside, I've also bred myself on instinct, common sense and universal law. That is how I also intend to bring up my future children, if any. I want to give them the privilege of choice when it comes to religion, but even if they decide against it, then at least they'd have a strong enough sense of moral values to fall back on.

I don't deny that religion helps people become the best they can be. I've seen it transform friends and family into amazing beings, full of mental and spiritual clarity. Some of the most remarkable people I've met in my life are the result of what their respective religions nurture them into. But it only happens when a religion is wholeheartedly allowed to influence one's way of living. There are others I've met whom have 'fallen from grace' - people who have turned their back on the religion they've been brought up to embrace. Not giving a rat's arse about going to hell, splashing about joyously inside the melting pot of sin.

But my question here is, aren't human beings built to be strong enough on their own to to understand and practice virtue, regardless of the belief in a God? Perhaps a simpler way of putting it is, do people really need a to have a religion in order to be good people?

Cat for adoption

This beautiful tortoiseshell cat was abandoned by my next door neighbors after they moved house. Looking for a new home for her ASAP. If interested, or know anyone else who might be, please leave me an email (click on my profile). Many thanks.