Would the world be a better place w/o religion?

[C22H19N3O4]

Since this hasn't been discussed let's open up this can of worms.

Below is a list someone created a couple of years ago.

Few ways in which the world would have been better if there had been no religion:

1. There would have been no suppression of science and no stifling of human knowledge.

2. There would have been no holy wars responsible for the slaughter of millions.

3. There would have been no Inquisition.

4. There would have been no crusades.

5. There would have been no witch hunts.

6. There would have been no Dark Ages.

7. There would have been no Ayatollah Khomeini.

8. There would have been no Taliban, Bin Laden or 9/11.


For the sake of argument, let's leave out any personal affect religion has had on your life.

Edit: If you feel religion has been the basis of positive things in this world then list them. If you feel religion has been a hindrance throughout civilization, then post examples. I'm sure everyone understands what I asking?

[Romeyo07]

you know there were MANY other wars that started that had nothing to do with religion.

It's human nature to be selfish, violent, greedy, etc. I think one way or another something would have happened somewhere.

[C22H19N3O4]

you know there were MANY other wars that started that had nothing to do with religion.

It's human nature to be selfish, violent, greedy, etc. I think one way or another something would have happened somewhere.

Then how has religion made our world a better place? I'm not just talking about war. Think of broad examples.

[metalman]

The fact that there are those alive who truly serve God is the ONLY reason you an I even exist. Without their religion the world would have already been wiped out. Its that religion that makes it possible for us to even be alive.

On a lesser note, without the restraints of human decency brought through a knowlege of God, at the very least we all would be facing a guantlet of violence unlike anything we currently know, if there was no religion.

[Romeyo07]

The History Channel just did a show last night on the 10 commandments and how it effects todays issues, laws, and ways of life. Great angle on how many laws of today were influenced and based upon Christian values and principles.

[Killer]

Yeah with out religion, whether it be christian or any other, this world we live in would be crazy.... like metal man said....

and like romeyo says... there are so many laws based on christian values.... same in other countries... their law is probably based on their religion...

think about it... if your life had no consequences(spl?) we would all just run wild not worried about punishment in life our in the after life....

[blacknightteg]

if their was no religion, there would be no repentence ( if thats the right word) or reprocussions for the killing of people. what if someone killed your best friend? with the basis's the religion founded there would be no punishments and what have you and no sense of reilef or being done....if that makes any sense

[Kelly]

Since this hasn't been discussed let's open up this can of worms.

Below is a list someone created a couple of years ago.

Few ways in which the world would have been better if there had been no religion:

1. There would have been no suppression of science and no stifling of human knowledge.
2. There would have been no holy wars responsible for the slaughter of millions.
3. There would have been no Inquisition.
4. There would have been no crusades.
5. There would have been no witch hunts.
6. There would have been no Dark Ages.
7. There would have been no Ayatollah Khomeini.
8. There would have been no Taliban, Bin Laden or 9/11.
For the sake of argument, let's leave out any personal affect religion has had on your life.
Edit: If you feel religion has been the basis of positive things in this world then list them. If you feel religion has been a hindrance throughout civilization, then post examples. I'm sure everyone understands what I asking?

Maybe, maybe not...
But there would be no

1.)Earth
2.)Me
3.)You

Lol, no seriously I agree with what most everyone is saying. I believe there would be confusion and a sort of emptyness in us all. It would really suck to not have someone there to comfort me the was Jesus does.

[Romeyo07]

God didn't make religion, man did.

[NEONRACER]

Does the world need religion, the answer is YES. Is religion always correct, NO. Look at what happened after the Roamn empire fell and what sort of choas the world fell into. The same thing would happen if the information was released to confirm religion is false. The world needs religion we can see that from our past. Religion is not always right but the basic concept and beliefs are a goof foundation for humans to live by. even if religon is the cause of most of today's problems, the problems caused by not putting fear into people to be good would be greater. We need heaven and hell and god to control the masses. Whether what people believe is true or not doesn't matter. For the sake of the world I hope religion is never proved false in public, the consequences would be too great.

[4dmin]

Do we as a society need religion? Well i can answer this two different ways....

1) Yes, b/c people need to live in fear, doubt/hope is what keeps religion alive

2) No, b/c there is nothing positive that religion does for an individual that one can't find on his own. I'm not religious, i don't worry about death an afterlife or anything else for that matter. I don't live by the bible and i know for a fact i have better morals than tons of christians i know.

[metalman]

I don't live by the bible and i know for a fact i have better morals than tons of christians i know.

I would say that may very well be true.

I would also say you probably don't know as much about the charecter of others around you as you think you do. To do so would require you to be a mind reader, a decerner of the heart...and that I am quite sure you are not.

Neither am I.

Also, to arrive at a conclusion that one is "okay" ,"good" or "better" by simply comparing ones self to those around is using faulty methods to say the least.
Even Ted Bundy may be the "nicest" most "moral" guy if compared to the right group.

[Killer]

^ correction... u can't say u have better morals than the "christians" u know... just because someone claims to be a christian... doesn't make them a christian...

going to a christian church doesn't make u a christian.. just the same as being in a barn doesn't make u a horse...

but i do see ur second point... there are plenty of people out there that have great intentions/great morals/always there to help/live a great life.. yet *edit* DO NOT believe in any type of religion... but it's the laws that the government provides that keeps those people in line...

[babowc]

i have to say..
most of the wars based on "religion" is just a big excuse.

"holy wars"? psh bullshit, they just wanted land.
witch hunts? people just needed something to blame for their misfortunes.
and for the taliban terrorism, i just dont know what to say.
i do not see in ANY firm religion where it states killing someone is forgiven for any cause.

many just use the religion as a scapegoat, they say it was based on religion because they cant think of anything eles to put the blame/cause on.

however ,thats entirely IMO only.

[David88vert]

You can believe in God without "religion".

If you consider religion as all of the theological traditions that are imposed by the church/mosque/synagogue/etc. then yes, we would be better off without "religion", and each person just have a personal relationship with their God.

[babowc]

^ good answer.

[4dmin]

I would say that may very well be true.

I would also say you probably don't know as much about the charecter of others around you as you think you do. To do so would require you to be a mind reader, a decerner of the heart...and that I am quite sure you are not.

Neither am I.

Also, to arrive at a conclusion that one is "okay" ,"good" or "better" by simply comparing ones self to those around is using faulty methods to say the least.
Even Ted Bundy may be the "nicest" most "moral" guy if compared to the right group.

By this statement you are assuming you know me and people i know, which i find hard to believe considering we have never met. I know many proclaimed christians who cheat on their wives, cheat on their taxes, lie, etc, etc, etc... Do i think i have more moral fiber YES. Why... i dont' hold my values by the text of a book written by man, i am true to what i believe is right.

but you are correct Ted Bundy would look like a good guy to some people, but then again considering if he was christian you can't really say his is a bad guy... all of his sins can be forgiven so he is not better/worse then you.

*side note* you think i can't be a mind reader... you of little faith... you believe your savior mother was a virgin.

[metalman]

By this statement you are assuming you know me and people i know

Couldnt be farther from the truth. I am not assuming anything. I know for a fact one cannot judge anothers character...period. No mortal has that power.

but you are correct Ted Bundy would look like a good guy to some people, but then again considering if he was christian you can't really say his is a bad guy... all of his sins can be forgiven so he is not better/worse then you.

No such thing as automatic forgiveness. One might reason that "If" he was a christian he wouldnt have murdered all those women.
"Ye shall know them by their fruits..."

And yes...youre definitely no mind reader smartass maybe.

[4dmin]

Couldnt be farther from the truth. I am not assuming anything. I know for a fact one cannot judge anothers character...period. No mortal has that power.



No such thing as automatic forgiveness. One might reason that "If" he was a christian he wouldnt have murdered all those women.
"Ye shall know them by their fruits..."

And yes...youre definitely no mind reader smartass maybe.

i guess your wrong again i knew you'd post back so i guess i can read minds.

[David88vert]

i guess your wrong again i knew you'd post back so i guess i can read minds.

[metalman]

i guess your wrong again i knew you'd post back so i guess i can read minds.

Wrong again grasshoppa! GUESSING someones reaction and reading their mind is WORLDs apart! But I bet you already know that....smartass.