See, here’s what happened: Religion and Morality

Some people got together long ago before there was writing and determined that some behaviors are immoral. Some may be detrimental to society as a whole, while others just seem unnatural, counterintuitive, or just really gross. Naturally, your people will accept these as immoral because you're the guy with the divine mandate.

To help illustrate the evil and wickedness of immoral behavior, you tell stories detailing the terrible consequences that will occur if someone angers the gods, be it through masturbation or fetal rape. There's always a divine punishment. For those who behave well, there's a divine reward.

Fortunately, your people are pretty smart. They know the stories are just entertaining myths used to illustrate a point.

Everything's cool for a few generations. Other myths have been created, some detailing the heroic feats of great men, others attempting to explain natural phenomena. With each telling, the myths evolve and take on a life of their own.

Then something terrible happens.

Some irresponsible mouth-breathing douchebag has his family gathered around the fire to once again regale them with the Legend of how Daniel the Brave defeated the Muggers. As he finishes the story, he says, "And the most amazing part of the story? It really happened!"

Really! It's a true story! Generation after generation, the story is told as fact. It still evolves, of course, but the perceived factual basis never goes away, because that's the best part.

Eventually, the written word comes about. By this point, Daniel the Brave is now Dave, and Muggers has become Buggers. The story is written accordingly, and suddenly you have the Legend of how Dave defeated the Buggers. The story is translated into other languages numerous times by numerous people, and thousands of years later, the story can be found anywhere on the planet.

Suppose, now, that you're living in modern times. You're familiar with previous translations, and you always thought something didn't add up. One day, after reading the latest translation of How Dave Defeated the Buggers, you decide to discuss it with some colleagues. This most recent translation got you thinking that the story might not be true, and that buggery may not be all that evil. You share your thoughts, and suddenly everyone explains that you read the wrong translation. There's only one right one. Your faith in Dave isn't strong enough. You're a heretic. And probably a bugger. You've lost your way, but if you pray to Dave, you may find it again.

Most importantly, you learn this:

"Of course buggery's evil. Just look at the buggers that Dave defeated."

But, you argue, the story clearly shows Dave defeating a group of men who tried to beat him up and rob him. There's no mention of buggery, except in the title and description of the men.

"Well, that's what buggers do! They're not to be trusted."

Have you ever met a bugger?

"Well, no, but..."

Then how do you know?

"It is written."

Ok, well, why is buggery immoral, then?

"The story says so."

The only reason you're opposed to buggery is because of the story?

"Without these stories, there wouldn't be any morality. People would be running rampant in the streets raping churches and burning women."

But what if the stories were just stories used to illustrated why something is wrong? What if something was lost in translation? What if....

"Well, that's just ridiculous."

- Nambla's Greatest Loss