Would the world be a better place without any religion?

Question

If your religious or not... whats your view.....

Answer 1

Firstly I'll state that I'm not religious and believe in no higher power, just so it's known that my answer isn't influenced by that.

I think the world would be a very different place, but overall the same.

Religion, even if it is worshipping some fake deity who people made up millennia ago controls people one way or the other.

People are made to believe that there will be consequences after they've died if they do not follow rules, such as be kind, do not kill, etc which does help society overall. The few people who use religion as a reason to attack are outweighed by a large amount of people who are controlled by this.

On the other hand, a lot of the problems of people attacking over religion would disappear, but as humans do, they'd find another reason to try and kill each other.

Religion tends to just be another flag that people can gather around. Like in wars, everyone will suddenly become more friendly to the people on there side, because they have a side in common and perhaps a common enemy.

Answer 2

Ok lets imagine this - there is no religion - no belief system at all. No dream time (aboriginal), no manatu (north american indian) , no nothing. We are a race that lives and dies and accepts that as our lot. No worshipping deities, no rituals, no ceremonies, no nothing - just living and dying - is that humanly possible. Every race, every culture believes in something spiritual every single country has a religion. So no its not a matter of thinking the world would be a better place but whether it would be possible not to have any type of religion what so ever - and I dont think its humanly possible.

as demonstrated it would appear that all cultures believe in something not so much as there might be something (a heaven, happy hunting ground, after life, reincarnation etc) but the human need to believe there is more and a reason to act in a certain way so that we can go to that special place.

Its true that wars appear to be the result of zealous religious people and mainly christian wars at that - in the bible and through out history there is reference to wars - the crusades weren't the rivers running red with blood? But in my oppinion if people were not fighting for religious reasons they would fight for other reasons- I actually dont thing you need a particulary good reason to fight and spill blood with others as have been demonstrated throughout history.

Answer 3

Good Question

- and this is one case where hindsight is not so wonderful, because religions haven't learned from the past and there is no evidence that they are going to learn from the future.

I always say that Christianity was fine until religion got involved - I have FAITH in the 12 Commandments that's my lot and I try to live by them - they were a good idea - the best. If you don't know them, you will find them at http://www.wikipedia.com

Now if the 12 Commandments featured well in the everyday lives of those who profess to have a religion within Christianity and other peace loving religions, things would be a whole lot better for everyone.

MESSAGE TO POLITICIANS WORLDWIDE: Take head - Those of you who attend Roman Catholic, Anglo Catholic, or the Orthodox churches, and those who 'religiously attend' Synagogues, Mosques and Temples. You would be regarded with respect, confidence and 'faith' by the rest of us who look to you to keep our World well organised and safe within our Continents, Countries and Homes if you practiced what you say you believe. Our World would be a more compassionate, safer, gentler place to inhabit if this were the case.

Most religions profess to be 'peace loving' - but in practice this is untrue until religions can convince all their followers that 'killing' is not a solution to any problem - like it or not.

Religions should be measured by their 'performance' so you would measure the integrety of religion in Iraq and every other country in the World, where even as I write a few hundred more lives will have been taken away in the name of religion and democracy!.

Answer 4

I have mixed feelings about it and do not have an idea to solve the dilemma.
I go to a non-denominational but still Jewish oriented spiritual group that by some would be considered religion because God is discussed.
I get a lot of happiness from the group due to the closeness of the members, the common experience we are having and the messages I get that enhance my life. The things we discuss are basically ways to have a better life, deal with people, deal with yourself, etc. It is a positive experience with people who accept diversity and never accept any type of prejudism or finger pointing at other religions etc.
If all religious groups could foster a similar type of acceptance I think there would be a definite benefit to keeping "religion".
If religion continues to foster separation, fear and hatred of those who are different than you I say the world would be better off without it. :0)

Answer 5

I think it would be a really boring place. I mean just watching the people get fired up over religious questions on this site gives me a great giggle every day. And there would be less points of difference between people that hold different religions. I think this place would be a better place if every religious person would adopt the attitude "each to their own" And stop fighting their oppinionated wars with each other. I mean cummon people haven't you ever thought that each religion is right in its own way? This world would also be a better place if we didnt have the fanatical religious people. These are the people that focus on one or two sections of their scriptures and are willing to fight and kill inocent people to get their points accross. I do however think this world would be a better place without scientology. I mean cummon look at how Tom Cruise treated Katie Holmes. I love the guy who created scientology. He was a fantasy novelist and made a statement that he could invent a religion and get people to follow it. Well he certainly proved that right didnt he.

Answer 6

I'm not religious but I think probably not.

Some people need their religion to have hope and to stay on the straight and narrow. They need the fear of hell eternal or whatever to stop them being selfish or doing terrible things.

If everyone that feared being damned so did nothing awful was told tomorrow it was all a big joke and they could do whatever things would probably collapse in a big selfish free for all.

What would make the world a better place is if the religious people could accept others beliefs and stop killing and fighting to say that their god is better than any one elses.

I think the word is acceptance, it's so childish to assume that your belief's are the be all and end all. I know I could be wrong about religion so I won't ram my beliefs down someone's throat unless I am challenged.....that said even if I am challenged I won't threaten to take someone out for it!

Answer 7

I sometimes think it would,as it seems to create all sorts of discord in the world, but my fear is that without some kind of social control and philosophical value system there would also be a total breakdown of society. I think if anything, we should all became Buddhists. A very simple approach to life , treating others how you would like to be treated and being kind to all living creatures. Can you imagine some of the world's religious leaders signing up for that - I don't think so as it wouldn't give them the power they crave. I do believe however that most religions mean well and it is people ( mainly men sadly) who misinterpret it for their own gains.

Answer 8

Maybe, maybe not. It has to be said that our laws are based on the 10 commandments, for example. And there are many instructions on how to care for the widows and the childless, etc etc. While religion has often given society a bad name (witch hunts, the inquisition, etc) there are still many examples of good done in the name of religion.
There are bad people, despots, dictators and cruel men. Few of these are religious. If there was no religion, they would still be around. And many of them, would of course, use religion as a cover. It isn't religion that's bad, it is the people who misuse it.
I know people will say that religion is homophobic -b ut many cultures are the same. To do awaywith religion doesn't guarantee a more free thinking society. IMO

Answer 9

It will be a real mess. At leadt there are still some believers who know what is right to do and what is wrong and should not be done.
Religion is the source of morals. A place without religion is a place where there are no morals. How would such a place be?

Peace

Answer 10

The world would not be a better place without religion.

I am a Catholic. I converted from the Anglican church and have many Muslim friends. Religion is not the cause of wars and murder, people are! Religion teaches us that there is a greater being, infinitely greater than ourselves. It stops us from becoming egocentric and prey to relativism. The Catholic Church teaches Love (did you read Pope Benedicts encyclical 'Deus Caritas Est'?).

Christ loves us so much that he was willing to be tortured and crucified that we might be saved. God will forgive anything that you ask Him in a spirit of true contrition.

When you look at the world through these eyes, you see it much more clearly.

Next time you go into a Chuch, look at the image of Christ crucuified and listen. Christ is saying:

This is how much I love you. Do you love me? And if you Love me then you will keep my commandments.