Will the end of religion really make a difference?

Question

Hypothetically, lets say religion was made illegal, unavailable, or otherwise unpopular at least. Would the people themselves really be any different?

It isn't like they would suddenly gain 10 IQ points. Odds are they would still be the same racist, homophobic, anti-choice, & etc. people they are now only without religion as an excuse.

Could it be their negative qualities is what holds them to their religion to begin with?

If my theory is right, then what hope do we really have?

Answer 1

Dude reconsider your display name. You certainly don't speak for me and since only 16% of the world's populace identify themselves as nonreligious it seems that you represent a rather small portion of people. You think that even though your views are shared only by a small minority that you somehow have the ability to force the 84% of the world that follows some form of religion to bend to your will. Wake up and smell your atheist bullshit.

Answer 2

Now...if you're saying religion didn't exist at all, no knowledge of it or anything...that's a different story, but if you're saying "What if religion ends some time soon, will it make a difference?"

Personally, I think it will. I can could go on and on about what I believe as a Christian and such...but it's not just about my belief, there's also so logic behind it. Yeah...I know, logic and religion don't mix much, but think of a couple of things before you think that...

First off, religion has, and always will, provide human societies with a basic moral system that are, more often than not, positive ways to behave. Yes, I know that most people don't always follow said moral system, but the fact is...it's there.

Secondly, religion has and is always saving a lot of people, and I don't mean just spiritually. I'm saying physically. Some people need to believe there's a better life waiting for them, for whatever reason (say their life has been hell...wouldn't you want to hope for something better?). Personally...I'm an optimistic person. I try to look on the better side of things...and if religion didn't exist, what would I believe happens to me when I die? ...I would end up being nothing but worm food. Now that's a pretty bleak outlook, knowing that...when you die...you're just...dead. Not anywhere special...just...feeding the worms and pushing up flowers. That idea alone could make anyone just want to throw themselves off a skyscraper.

Thirdly (and lastly), religion provides us with a sense of security almost...We...feel like something up there is watching us, helping us in any way it can. Kinda like...a good father watching out for us. This thought alone can have good effects....you believe something good will happen, and it happens. Whether it's because you thought it would, or if God had a part of it, or maybe it was just luck...it's hard to say.

The fact is...religion does have a lot of good points...but it also has a lot of bad ones too (Don't believe me? Two words: THE CRUSADES).

Well...that's my two cents. Take it or leave it.

Answer 3

Such a change would not occur in a flash. You won't find 45 year-old, homophobic, racist, evangelical christians all of a sudden not believing in god because it became unpopular. The change is going to be generational. The children of today are going to be less likely to believe in god as they reach adulthood. The reason being, their exposure to more information and ideas than their parents or grandparents ever had. This generations children will be even less likely to believe.

In 30-50 years, religion will be a fringe element. They will be snickered at and made fun of in night-time talk shows and their activities will be seen as quaint.

Answer 4

God's standards are what we use as a morale basis, (don't murder, don't steal, etc.) without religion or God, we would no longer have any grounds for saying this is right or that is wrong. It would be at the sole discretion of each individual person and society as a whole. Without religion Hitler would have had a right to do what he did, because there would be nothing to say he was wrong. The bible and religion differentiate between good and evil. Without religion, there is no longer any grounds to say, what you are doing is wrong.

Answer 5

haha, well we have a hope in God. God doesn't need our permssion to exist. religion, especially christianity, establishes a set of rights and wrongs to live by. Life would be so much easier if there was a manual to follow instructions by, wouldn't it? well there is such manual, it's the bible. don't believe the lies that we are nothing more than animals, and that there is no hope! Trust me there is a hope and that's in Christ Jesus. if i'm coming off narrow minded i'm sorry but it's not about speaking what you wanna hear, it's about speaking truth.

Answer 6

I never thought religion was the root cause of any of mankind's problems, religion is just something created by man, I don't agree with the people that like to blame religion for everything, people are the problem, religion is just a symptom.

Answer 7

If you're right, then we're all screwed.

But what if the newly-irreligious gain something even better than IQ points? What if they gain freedom from fear? What becomes of slaves set free? -- They get a chance to be normal.

Speaking only for myself, I'd give a lot for the opportunity to witness that.

Answer 8

I Don't know if it would make the world a better place or not but hey LET'S GIVE IT A SHOT!!

We could always go back to a stupid God belief if it became evidant that secioty couldn't handle no religion!

Answer 9

it wouldn't be hypothetical to say that
religion is illegal, unavailable, or unpopular

still, people don't abandon it
(whatever form it takes)

people w/like beliefs DO band together

the hope
is that positive-minded people
band their voices together
--attracting seekers to join them
and advance us all

Answer 10

Who's "they"? Odinists? That description would fit most of the ones I've known.

Religion will never end anyway, so get over it.