'The Lord of the Rings and Philosophy'

[the phantom]

I think you're misunderstanding my intentions, Eurytus. I didn't say religion would make anybody act morally, I said it's the only thing that could compel everyone to act morally. Belief in a higher authority and eternal punishment is a reason to act moral.

Naturally there are religions that seem immoral to others, but I'm sort of discounting that by saying if we were to define morality by their choice of religion then they would be considered moral if they were following their religion's teachings.

In summary, anyone who genuinely believes in a specific religion and its teachings has an unquestionable reason to act morally (with morally being defined as the code of ethics that their religion teaches).

A quick look back through history shows that religion very rarely helps people to act morally

I don't know, there are countless people around the world right now who are trying to live a certain way specifically because of their beliefs. I readily admit that someone of any religion can behave immorally, but only when they deviate from what they believe.

Religion doesn't make people behave morally, it just gives them a reason to.

Cynically speaking it is extremely unlikely that there will ever be a time when everybody acts in a moral way.

I agree. But as I said before, I'm not trying to find what will make everyone be moral, but rather what would compel people on a personal level to be moral.