Atheists: can we be sure that society can function w/o religion?

Answer 1

It sure can't function with it.

Answer 2

Why are religious types also so fixated on surety? There is very little that is truly certain or known beforehand.

I stay in a nation that pretty much doesn't care about religion anymore. It works just fine, better than the U.S., where I used to live. In fact most of my favourite countries, and the ones that I would chose to live in, are functionally agnostic/atheist societies, even if there is still a cultural overlay of religion amongst some.

I'm quite willing to take the chance and see if society can function without religion. But I'm more worried about the way that governments are selling out their people and their resources to the lowest corporate bidders. The U.S. is leading the charge, and the rest of the world is following suit.

Answer 3

Now that's a good question. To answer it, you have to ask why religion exists.

I think it exists because mankind is frightened of death, so we made up an afterlife so it wouldn't be so scary. So, if there were no religion, people would live their lives in fear of death, and it would probably drive the weaker ones insane. That might result in chaos that might end mankind.

Or, maybe without religion, we could allow the weaker ones to be weeded out by natural selection, instead of making every life so infinitely valuable. Then, those who survived could procreate a stronger mankind.

It's all just a guess, since religion does exist. But I still believe that religion is the greatest evil on Earth.

Have fun!

Answer 4

I think this is a good question. You may argue that religion was invented to make society function, or at least it had this effect or side-effect. This is because religion in many cases governs life and behaviour of people.

But keep in mind that societies are not forever. Societies change, and their guiding mechanisms and ideas change. Rules and rulers are constantly challenged, and overthrown. This process is called emancipation, and religion is not exempt from it.

Answer 5

I'm sure it can't function without some sort of moral system. The whole God and Jesus thing - frankly, it makes for some interesting stories that boost your self-esteem and make you want to do good things (which I can't complain about), but beyond that, the only positive function of religion I see is the desire it invokes in people to be good citizens of the world. Law tells you what you can and can't do LEGALLY, religion tells you what you can and can't do MORALLY. The stories are just good examples. This system obviously becomes defunct when people become extremists.

Answer 6

Honestly? No, we can't, because I know of no existing purely atheist or non-theist societies. However, that doesn't necessarily mean we should avoid striving for a secular society--lots of things that are now expected were at one point radical. Like a society with no slavery; that's working pretty well.

Beyond that, it's pretty clear to see that secular individuals do mostly well, and secular communities tend to do well at least on a small scale, so it's reasonable that whole societies could do without organized religion.

Answer 7

only if people would begin to think for themselves. Which is what religion does. People who can't handle things in their life turn to religion. Humans have deeper emotions than any other animal on this planet and for most, religion helps those control those and get past those base emotions. People can do it but most people don't believe in themselves. That they can't do anything without god or jesus or any deity.

Answer 8

If anti-social individuals choose faith to stay civil that announces greater related to this manner of folk who're an part of that faith than the rest now does not it? those individuals that don't choose god and stay completely ethical and civil lives are info that their god isn't mandatory for any such existence. in the event that they nonetheless opt to act out in that way in the event that they have been to ascertain the certainty approximately their god i'm specific the criminal equipment would look after the overflow.

Answer 9

What reason is there to think that it couldn't?

Do you think that people really need a threat of hell in order to function in a society?

Answer 10

Do you think we are going so great right now? There is so much religious persecution and intolerance!
We would still have the laws to uphold. Gays would be able to live their lives, women would have pro-choice when it comes to their own bodies, people wouldn't fight over their stupid Gods and prophets.

Answer 11

Why not ?

Unless you think the religious ppl won't be able to behave, without believing someone is watching them.
There sure are a lot of god-believers in prison.
Hmm...