THE ETHICAL DIMENSION

The Ethical Dimension (ethics = behaviour)
As people believe, so they will behave. Doctrines are foundational to Ethics. Doctrine is to ethics as belief is to behaviour. The ethical dimension, religious or secular, provides human beings with guidelines for proper patterns of action. The ethical dimension is relational. That means that ethics inform our relationships including those with an unseen "Other." Whether expressed as laws, moral commandments, custom, or a system of values, it is the ethical dimension that guides us towards proper relationships with God (or Being), each other, nature, and culture. 

Ethics provide a sense of obligation, responsibility and provide mechanisms for bringing harmony from dissonance when there is a breakdown in ideal relational patterns. The Ten Commandments in Hebrew scripture, the Beatitudes in Christian scripture or the Eight-Fold Path in Buddhism are classic examples of the ethical dimension. Ethical standards for right behaviour, of course, are based on doctrine and therefore may differ greatly. Many of the great debates of the day such as abortion, suicide, sexual orientation, etc. are furiously defended or protested by factions who approach these issues from different religious or secular worldviews.

Religious Ethics

Ethics are the key to values/behaviour in any worldview. They provide the link between beliefs and right action.
DEFINITION
"Religious ethics is that aspect of religion concerned with proper patterns of action in the situation and circumstances of the human life cycle and social relations." John Simmons
Ethical behaviour is guided by laws, customs and morals. Religious doctrines inform or guide laws, customs and morals.
PATTERNS IN THE ETHICAL PROCESS
1. Obligation: rules, customs and values sets standards for proper action.: In society, the ethical process is governed by laws. For example, you have an obligation to operate a vehicle safely on public roads. In religious traditions set out patterns of action you are obliged to keep such as the Ten Commandments, or the Eight-Fold Path.
2. Responsibility to follow those guidelines: Given this obligation, you have the responsibility not to drink too much before driving your car. If you are a responsible religious person, you keep the laws.
3. Dissonance: If you behave unethically such as getting drunk and driving your car you are in dissonance with the laws of society and if you are caught you will be cited or charged. In religion, straying too far cuts you off from the religious community and is a source of shame, guilt, distress and tension.
4. Harmony: Some redemptive mechanism allows you to return to proper patterns of action. After you pay your citation or go to court you have paid your debt to society. Most religions have a reconciliation mechanism such as confession in the Catholic Church.

Ethical Process examples

OBLIGATION Drive safely  · Religious traditions (the Ten Commandments or Eight-Fold Path, etc.)

RESPONSIBILITY
Given that obligation, it is your responsibility to not drink and drive
· Believers are obliged to respond to life according to these patterns.

DISSONANCE
If you drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs you are in dissonance of the laws of society
· Straying from the ethical path cuts one off from the religious community and thus, is a source of shame, guilt, distress and tension.

HARMONY
If you are caught or cause an accident, you must "pay your debt to society."
· Religions, then, provide mechanisms for re-alignment such as The Sacrament of Reconciliation in Catholicism.