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• Religious ethics


  Principles that guide followers of religions as to what is the right or proper conduct, and good ways of living
• Acting ethically


  Acting in ways which are in line with what is considered right, good, proper, fair and just
• Acting unethically


  Acting in ways which are against what is considered right, good, proper, fair, and just
• A priest who gives and takes care of the poor is acting ethically whereas a religious follower who steals is acting unethically
• How ethical teachings are important in religions


  • Help followers know what to do and what not to do
  • Guide followers to make choices and decisions that are morally right
  • Encourage followers to treat other people with kindness, compassion, respect and dignity
  • Encourage followers to make choices that are good for their health
  • Encourage people to take care of their environment
• Ethical codes in Christianity


  • Ten Commandments
  • The greatest commandment
  • The Golden Rule
  • The Beatitudes
• Ten Commandments


  • Do not worship idols
  • Worship no other God but me
  • Do not use the name of God wrongly
  • Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy
  • Honour your father and mother
  • Do not kill
  • Do not commit adultery
  • Do not take anything that does not belong to you / Do not steal
  • Do not testify falsely against others
  • Do not desire other people's things
• The greatest commandment


  You should love your neighbour as you love yourself
• The Golden Rule


  Do unto others as you would like them do unto you
• The Beatitudes


  • Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
  • Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted
  • Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth
  • Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled
  • Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy
  • Blessed are the poor in heart, for they shall see God
  • Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sour of God
  • Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
  • Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me for your reward is great in heaven
• Sharia law


  Outlines what Muslims should do or not do, and also states punishment given to offenders
• What Muslims should do


  • Declare that there is no other God but Allah (Shahadah)
  • Pray five times a day (Salat)
  • Give donations to the poor (Zakat)
  • Fast during the month of Ramadan (sawn)
  • Visit Mecca at least once in one's life time (Hajj)
  • Women should dress modestly cover the whole body except face and hands
  • Muslim men may marry up to four wives and must treat them all equally
  • Respect all forms of life
  • Eat halaal food
  • Respect the elderly and take good care of all family members
• What Muslims should not do


  • Lie, steal and cheat
  • Gamble
  • Have sex before marriage
  • Say bad things about Islam
  • Serve any other God but Allah and all should acknowledge that Muhammad is Allah's last prophet
  • Eat pork
  • Drink alcohol, or be in a place where alcohol is sold
  • Sell grapes to a winery
• Punishments for certain crimes in Islam


  • Adultery or fornication: Stoning to death
  • Murder: Death penalty
  • Speaking badly about Islam: Death penalty
  • Theft: Cutting off the hands
• Codes of ethics in Buddhism

  • Five precepts
  • Additional precepts for Buddhist monks
  • Noble Eightfold Path
• Five precepts


  • Do not kill human or animals
  • Do not steal
  • Do not get involved in sexual misconduct
  • Do not tell lies
  • Do not drink beer or take drugs
• Additional precepts for Buddhist monks


  • Do not eat after midday, eat only before noon
  • Do not be involved in dancing and performing on stages
  • Do not use ornaments and perfumes
  • Do not use high or broad beds
  • Do not accept gold or silver
• Noble Eightfold Path


  • Right understanding
  • Right thought
  • Right speech
  • Right action
  • Right livelihood
  • Right effort
  • Right mindfulness
  • Right concentration
• Ethical codes that guide followers of ATR in Botswana


  • Taboos
  • Proverbs
  • Norms
• Taboos (Meila)


  • Dietary taboos
  • Animal and plant taboos
  • Taboos regulating movement of people
  • Taboos regulating other actions
• Examples of dietary taboos


  • Unmarried woman should not eat standing
  • Meat on an animal that died naturally should not be eaten
  • Pregnant woman should not eat eggs
  • People should not drink water while standing
  • Women in confinement should not eat with their hands
• Examples of animal and plant taboos


  • Milk cow should not be split on fire
  • Python should not be killed during ploughing seasons
  • Trees such as moretlwa, morula and mokgalo should not be cut before plants have been harvested
  • Fruit trees should not be cut
• Examples of taboos regulating movement of people


  • A person should not walk with one shoes
  • During confinement a menstruating woman should not enter the house of the baby
  • Girls who are menstruating should not be in a company of boys
• Examples of taboos regulating other actions


  • Women who have started menstruating should not bath at night
  • Water should not enter the yard at night
  • Burning fire should not enter the house
  • One should not lick a knife
• Examples of proverbs (Diane)


  • Proverbs about the people's behaviour and relationship
  • Proverbs that help people acknowledge the greatness of the Supreme Being
• Examples of proverbs about the people's behaviour and relationship


  • Matlo go sha mabapi
  • Moroto wa e esi ga o ele
  • Ngwana yoo sa utlweng molao wa batsadi o utlwa wa manong
  • Maitseo namane ya moroba
  • O se tshege yo oleng mareledi a sa le pele
  • Motho ke motho ka ba bangwe
• Examples of proverbs that help people acknowledge the greatness of the Supreme Being


  • Modimo ga o je nkabo
  • Molelo wa Modimo ga o tingwe
  • Mogoa Modimo oa boa mo ikgoela
• Examples of norms


  • Children should not sit on chairs while adults are standing
  • Women should wear head scarves during funerals and funeral prayers
  • Women should not wear trouser at kgotla meeting
  • An adult should not be called by his or her first name but should be called by the child's name
  • Only men can make fire at the kgotla
• Other examples of ethical codes in ATR in Botswana


  • Help the needy
  • Respect elders
  • Show hospitality to strangers
  • Work hard at all times
  • Be honest
  • Have respect for life
  • Have respect for other people's property
  • Be generous
  • Be kind to everyone
  • Should not have sex before marriage
  • Should have culture of sharing and cooperation
• Relevance of ethical codes in modern society


  • Discourage immoral behaviour
  • Encourage justice and fairness
  • Help promote peace and harmony
  • Discourage criminal conduct
  • Encourage people to behave in morally right ways
  • Foster unity and national development
  • Make good reliable and disciplined citizens
  • Take the form of laws in the country's constitution
  • Make countries easier to govern
• How religious ethics can help Botswana become a crime free society


  • Avoid alcohol and drugs
  • Do not steal
  • Do not kill
  • Live an honest life
  • Respect one another
• Ken driving which leads to over speeding and road accidents, domestic violence and rape

  Some of the common crimes in Botswana
• Observing religious ethical codes that is against use of alcohol and drugs

  Can reduce crime in Botswana
• Do not steal


  Stealing robs people of their belongings and leaves them frightened and frustrated
• If this ethics were taught in schools, homes, work places and other social places

  It would help Botswana to be a crime free nation
• Do not kill


  It is wrong to kill because you are denying that person the right to life
• If people follow this ethic

  There would be fewer deaths and violence
• Live an honest life

  Problems like corruption and bribery would be reduced
• If people are taught the importance of living an honest life


  People should be made aware that bribery and corruption can end up in the loss of a job or a jail sentence
• Respect one another


  There would be no rape, incest and violence; they would understand how the victims would be affected by their behaviour