Without a divine lawgiver, moral values lack an absolute, unchanging foundation. In a purely secular or naturalistic world, moral principles become subjective, changing with time, culture, or personal opinion. Religion anchors morality in the eternal nature or commands of a divine being, providing a universal standard that transcends individual or societal preferences.

The U.S. Civil Rights Movement was led by religious leaders and grounded in *Christian ethics*. See Stanford’s King Institute for historical examples.