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Would the world would be better off without religion?

Do you believe the world be better off without religion?


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fredmertz

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Do you believe the world would be better off without religion?

I would have to guess “no difference”. Religious groups undeniably do a lot of good in the world, but there are also many wars centered on religious differences. Without religion, I believe there would still be the good deeds - those people who do such deeds do so because it is in their nature and a church (for example) is just their means, but other means would be used instead (i.e. nonprofits). I also believe mankind would still find something to go to war over (and so religion is just an excuse to fight over something - basically that war is in our nature too)… and so I don’t think there would be much of a difference. Our actions are not in spite of or because of religion. Religion is just a means to multiple ends that all derive from human nature.

thoughts?
 
I would say no difference with a slight lean towards "no". I say slight lean towards "no" because I believe humans can be more motivated to do acts of good on an individual level due to some belief of eventual cosmic consequence rather than for mortal reasons. But ultimately, I don't think you'd see much different. People who naturally are inclined to do good would find other avenues to try and get people to band together and encourage good deeds. Those that seek power over people would find something else to manipulate the population with to meet their ends. As is often typical, I think South Park got it right. Long live the Allied Athiest Alliance.
 
Absolutely, even if there is no improvement in the human condition, the less asinine things that are running through an individual's head, the better off we all are.
 
It would still exist in societies in a broader sense, nationalism, 'culture-ism'... etc. No difference.
 
People often ask this question.

If I were an athiestic elitist snob, and I am.

I would say it isn't healthy to believe in invisible all powerful beings with an agenda about your social life...

But I would say in short. No.

We'd find something else to kill eachother over.

Perhaps the results of Big Brother?
 
I said "no difference" for two reasons:
1. Religion is harmful in the sense that people use it to validate violence - but people have non-religious ways now and will find new ways to validate their violence. So no big deal.
2. Religion is harmful in the sense that people use it to stop critically thinking - but many non-religious people don't critically think anyway so no big deal.

Although I don't officially consider myself a Christian, I believe it's possible that its claims are true. I grew up in the Episcopal Church and I still feel a certain positive connection to it, so I would not consider it a good thing if it stopped existing. Nonetheless, I don't think the end of organized religion would make much of a difference. I do, however, think a world where belief in God and belief in the possibility of God did not exist would be a negative thing because it would signal a lack of imagination in society and an unwillingness to consider all possibilities - two things that aren't good for society in my opinion.
 
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We would simply find other reasons to fight over rare resources. "You blue eyed people drink too much beer and can't correctly control central Europe! Us green eyed people that drink Scotch will show you how to do it!" Sounds dumb when you think about it, but so does blowing your self up on a bus full of people because an invisible deity wants you to. :peace
 
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Yes, it would be better off. We would develop the same major notions of morality and goodness even absent the fables about God and Satan. People would still be charitable and help each other, because at the end of the day that furthers our own interests at a society.

The only difference is people would make decisions based on the present state of things rather than the state of things 2,000+ years ago.
 
Do you believe the world would be better off without religion?

Religion in general or religion as in a belief in a supreme being? Religion in general does not require the belief in a supernatural being, for example environmentalism.

Religion | Define Religion at Dictionary.com

noun
1.
a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2.
a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3.
the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4.
the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5.
the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6.
something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
7.
religions, Archaic . religious rites.
 
HELL NO. The idea of God has served as a basic moral compass since man started growing as a species. Given the other choices we have, I would say that the idea of God in any form as an absolute necessity in a human's life, at some point. Everything else is far easier to corrupt, and God in and of itself as a concept is incorruptable, IMO.

I think thats really the most important thing about God. God cannot do wrong, whereas everything else in life can do wrong or go wrong. To be faithful that there is a larger, supreme being carefully guiding your life in the right direction for you is extremely comforting to me. The closest thing we have to that is Communist Government, and obviously, Communist Govermments do wrong, and go wrong, and misdirect your life.

EDIT: I'd also like to point out that the idea of God came before every other moral compass we as a society have developed.
 
The problem with religion is in its metaphysics, i .e. there are too many untestable assumptions which have to be taken "on faith" and more importantly - they often contradict the assumptions of the neighbor. :sick:
I prefer the more rational and scientific approach. :)
 
Yes.

So long as one recognizes that blind emotional devotion to ideology is a religion substitute, often exemplified by those devout socialists.

Libertarianism is one of the very few rational ideologies. The world would certainly be better of if the people were free.
 
The idea of God has served as a basic moral compass since man started growing as a species.

Yes it does, but those morals tend to differ drastically. Example: Some gods encourage and reward throwing virgins into volcanoes, some do not. Just because the concept of a god serves as a moral compass, doesn't mean it always points in a good direction.

Given the other choices we have, I would say that the idea of God in any form as an absolute necessity in a human's life, at some point. Everything else is far easier to corrupt, and God in and of itself as a concept is incorruptable, IMO.

That is completely and totally incorrect. There are plenty of people who have never had any faith in a god, who live perfectly happy lives, and are completely content with their lives. One must first define corruption.

I think thats really the most important thing about God. God cannot do wrong, whereas everything else in life can do wrong or go wrong.

You must first define right and wrong, as these concepts are entirely subjective.

To be faithful that there is a larger, supreme being carefully guiding your life in the right direction for you is extremely comforting to me.

A comforting thought indeed. But it's completely unverifiable, and to be honest, it sounds delusional and a little psychotic. Have you ever heard of Occam's Razor?


The closest thing we have to that is Communist Government, and obviously, Communist Govermments do wrong, and go wrong, and misdirect your life.

All governments direct people's live. And all governments can be detrimental to their peoples.

EDIT: I'd also like to point out that the idea of God came before every other moral compass we as a society have developed.

And it's not a very good one. The word of god is easily falsified, and can cause a grand spectrum of behavior.
 
Nah, here's a few cool things religion has given us:
756288-Pyramid_and_Sphinx-Pyramids_of_Giza.jpg


St-Basils-Cathedral.jpg


Organizaciones%20Internacionales_International%20Committee%20of%20the%20Red%20Cross.gif


borobudur.jpg


And pretty much every major scientific breakthrough from ancient times to the 1800's, when the first secular educational institution appeared.
 
No. The world would be better off it those who practice a religion would keep it in their private sphere, would cease all proselityzing and would respect the beliefs of other faiths. And this goes double for the insufferably rabid atheist that make me ashamed to admit my own atheism.

I'm a very big believer in a secular society with absolute separation between church and state. Like any other human invention religion can lead to amazing things as Bruce's post shows. It can also be the worst of weapons when placed in the wrong hands. I think this would be a much better world if everyone had the ability to keep their religious beliefs in their home and house of worship. But this is as much of a pipe dream as a world without religion.
 
The world would be a far better place if we were all practicing Christians. Other religions are all bogus.
 
HELL NO. The idea of God has served as a basic moral compass since man started growing as a species.
This assumes that religion came before morality. To the contrary, I would say that religion developed as a tool to teach morality, which itself is fairly common-sense (e.g., murder is bad because I don't want to get murdered for no reason, stealing is unfair because I worked hard, somebody else shouldn't get it for free, etc.). Religion was useful during the time when it was difficult to punish corrupt individuals--the response was to promise punishment in the afterlife by some all-knowing superior being.

Given the other choices we have, I would say that the idea of God in any form as an absolute necessity in a human's life, at some point. Everything else is far easier to corrupt, and God in and of itself as a concept is incorruptable, IMO.
I would say that some sects of the FLDS, and countless third-world societies refute this point. In fact, I would argue that God has been the ultimate force of corruption throughout the history of mankind.
 
The world would be a far better place if we were all practicing Christians. Other religions are all bogus.

Forcing people into Christianity goes against the Teaching of Jesus.
 
Forcing people into Christianity goes against the Teaching of Jesus.

I said nothing about forcing anybody to do anything. It's odd how people read something and completely misunderstand what is said. No wonder the world is so "screwed up".
 
Nah, here's a few cool things religion has given us:
756288-Pyramid_and_Sphinx-Pyramids_of_Giza.jpg

Boy, just imagine the employment that pyramid had created. :lol:
 
Yes it does, but those morals tend to differ drastically. Example: Some gods encourage and reward throwing virgins into volcanoes, some do not. Just because the concept of a god serves as a moral compass, doesn't mean it always points in a good direction.

The differences in morals are because our interpretation of it. If you ask a terrorist what he thinks is asked of him by God, he might say killing nonbelievers. Ask a more moderate person, and they would say leading a life without sin, and helping others to not sin as well. And I understand the ambiguity of sin, but as a general rule, I'll say for now that its hurting others.

That is completely and totally incorrect. There are plenty of people who have never had any faith in a god, who live perfectly happy lives, and are completely content with their lives. One must first define corruption.

No. Of course, to prove its correct would take more time than I'm willing to spend on it, but every person has at one point or another had faith in a larger being. Even communists have, I'm sure. You don't have to define something to be able to acknowledge it occurs.

You must first define right and wrong, as these concepts are entirely subjective.

Look at the holy texts, they all include some form of, "do not...." From the standpoint of religion, that is wrong. Really, the Ten Commandments encompass right and wrong in a very general sense.

A comforting thought indeed. But it's completely unverifiable, and to be honest, it sounds delusional and a little psychotic. Have you ever heard of Occam's Razor?

One of the reasons we have God is to comfort us. This world is in the gutter, and it helps to believe that things are going to get better. When you really think about it, all the really big concepts in life are unverifiable. For example, science requires faith that the laws and ideas hold true at all times. God requires faith that there is in fact a god. And yes, I've heard of Occam's Razor before.

All governments direct people's live. And all governments can be detrimental to their peoples.

Communist Governments replace God with a figurehead. No other form of government goes to such an extreme. Even monarchies acknowledge a larger power granting them their rule. And all governments can be detrimental to their people.

And it's not a very good one. The word of god is easily falsified, and can cause a grand spectrum of behavior.

When you really think about it, it actually is a great compass. Something as simple as the 10 Commandments could get a person through the average day, and allow them to identify what is right and what is wrong.

The falsification is caused by deriviation from God's word; that is a fault of humanity.
 
There would be no difference IMO. We would find other things to fight over, to believe in, to hate for, to love for etc.
 
Define "religion." I believe my faith is more of a relationship with God and not so much a "religion." What I find ironic is that many militant atheists who want to abolish all religion will complain that religion is oppressive on others yet they want to do away with everyone's freedom of faith and impose their ideology on the world. Hypocrisy is funny.
 
Define "religion." I believe my faith is more of a relationship with God and not so much a "religion." What I find ironic is that many militant atheists who want to abolish all religion will complain that religion is oppressive on others yet they want to do away with everyone's freedom of faith and impose their ideology on the world. Hypocrisy is funny.

Oh the irony!
 
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