In my sociology text, they had a stat that said aound 85% percent of the world population holds some sort of theistic faith. That's an overwhelming majority. As an agnostic, no wonder I am always outnumbered and vilified when discussions turn philosophical. It seems to that a person's religosity or lack thereof has a major influence over their values and personality. And with such a such a numerical disadvantage, skeptics like me will always be shouted down. But what if the tables were turned? Please give your religion, if any.
2006-07-27 16:36:34 · 8 answers · asked by Subconsciousless 7 in Social Science ➔ Sociology
Mormon here.
I disagree with everyone else. The wars that have been fought in the name of religion weren't religious wars at all. They were really over power, wealth, control etc. God was just a nice way to enrage the masses to hate the other side. Killing is fine if it's in His name is the mentality. A world without religion wouldn't be more peaceful it would be less. It would be a world that truly adopted a philosophy of take what you want for tomorrow we die. No one would ever believe in final accountability. Religion hasn't been the true cause of war, it has been the one force keeping us from totally annihilating each other.
2006-07-27 17:33:19 · answer #1 · answered by Dr Thunder 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a remarkably difficult question to approach.
I agree with the previous Mormon poster about the wars that were fought over religion. Every war -- including the Crusades and the current Islamic terrorism tactics -- precipitated from the jealous and wrathful nature of humanity. If there is a darkness in the hearts of men, it's the love of violence and the sorts of pain that implies.
Religion is used as a great tool for wars, but asking what wars would be like without religion would be like asking what World War II would have ended like without the nuclear bomb.
Either way, religious identity is not necessarily a death sentence. The Romans coexisted for a lengthy period of time with many integrated religions.
2006-07-28 01:53:19 · answer #2 · answered by Doctor Mercado 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only way to know that is to know human nature so intimately that you could predict it. And that's a really difficult aspect of human nature to comprehend. Humans have almost always needed some kind of icon to worship. It makes them feel safe. Ironically, the very thing that makes them "FEEL" safe makes the world a very freakin' dangerous place. Remove the safety blanket and the you have a lot of nervous people with nothing to fight about save resources.
It's a good question.
2006-07-28 00:17:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I personally think that more stupidity has been committed in the name of God than any other reason. No religion is exempt. Look at the Crusades, the Reformation, the Spanish Inquisition and then fast forward to the present (conflicts in Kashmir, Iraq, Iran, Israel and Lebanon / Palestine, Chechnya, and so on). My God is better than your God (even though it's the same God).
On the other hand, region has inspired most of the greatest art works on Earth. On balance, if I had to choose art and wars or no art and no wars, I would choose no wars.
I consider myself spiritual (I beleive in God), but I reject all religions.
2006-07-27 23:52:42 · answer #4 · answered by F. Frederick Skitty 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The world would definitely be a much more peaceful place. Think of all the wars and violence over religion.
These religions "teach love and all that" but look at all the violence. Totally hypocritical.
2006-07-27 23:55:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Athiest here. It would sem the world would be a more peaceful place as most of the wars ever fought have been based on religion.
2006-07-27 23:41:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Fewer national holidays and lots of nervous sheep!
2006-07-27 23:40:55 · answer #7 · answered by mitchskram 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The world would be a better place. I am right there with you on this one! :)
2006-07-28 00:56:03 · answer #8 · answered by whuvahgut? 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋