ok... Christians have the crusades, Catholic churches have killed some of the greatest people in history, Muslims go to "heaven" if they kill or are killed in the name of spreading Islam. Weather heaven is a physical or spiritual place most of us want to get there because it beats the alternative. Some of the greatest and bloodiest wars in history have been fought in the name of a God. What do you think the world (living, politics, technology, ecology, etc...) would be like if religion didn’t exist? Would we create it in order to spread our ideas and beliefs? or would the world crumble in chaos?
2007-02-23 07:53:20 · 10 answers · asked by m4nt4ray 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I think most humans have an underlying need to be part of something or have purpose. To answer your question, one has to think back to the beginning of society. If it wasn't "religion" that formed, it would have been some form of groups of similar belief or opinion. People of the same interest naturally commune and even segregate themselves voluntarily.
I think the world would be similar, as the greater tendency of the human being seems to be zealotry and organizing those who would be of your persuasion. That ultimately (with most) leads to conflict with those who disagree.
Start the human history in a world of big business, and the Intel-ians would be at war with the AMD-ians and Transmeta-nians.
Start in a world of modern US politics and the Republicans would be at war with the Democrats. (yes, that one is scary!)
Religion is probably the predominant classifier as it is SO ingrained into generation after generation, with a perceived consequence to secede keeping the faith strong and unwavering.
2007-02-23 08:12:39 · answer #1 · answered by duhgbert 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Religion and the lack of it shapes the world as we know it more than some people would like. For those who answered negatively about religion, look at Adolf Hitler. He is a man that exeplified the "Super Man" that Nietzsche, a German philosopher, prophesied a few centuries ago. Hitler was a godless man. Take the communists- they killed more than the Nazis, yet our modern world still sympathizes with communists to a much greater degree than Nazism. Communism was atheistic and emphasized the state more than the individual. Sure, wars have been fought in the name of God, and that is a misuse of religion. But, the values that religion brings to life are unparalleled. Look at all of the saints in the Catholic Church, like Mother Theresa (not a saint yet, but very holy). They could not do great things without the power of God.
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2007-02-23 08:35:26 · answer #2 · answered by Peter N 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To a large extent religion does shape the world. The world wouldn't be much different that it is now because there are still people and people are snared in the human condition. We need what we need and want what we want. Religion was created not as a result of a person's belief but of another person's belief. That other person could be "handled" or manipulated by his beliefs. Religion came about as an organization to control people and give some, who didn't want to work, an easy life.
2007-02-23 08:10:51 · answer #3 · answered by Sophist 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We have shaped religion in order to shape our world.
Religion was created to give meaning to something that is beyond our knowledge and comprehension...it was created back in those dark days when we had no human rights and written laws and structure ..and when we didnt have all those fancy scientific answers to explain the world.
So maybe one day when we know everything (assuming that will ever be the case) religion might become obsolete.
If we had no religion now, the world would not end up in chaos. Humans would have to learn to rely on themselves and have faith in their own capabilties more and accept that it comes from within and isn't put there by some higher being.
Without religion life would be only about survival.
2007-02-23 09:22:54 · answer #4 · answered by blueraven 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you bet!
take the catholics for instance. they have more financial holdings in the world than any other church so therefore, they have the most say so on how alot of money in the world is spent. according to the IRS, they also have the largest tax deductions in the world. Second is the Lutheran Churches of the world, Methodist rank third and Presbytarians forth. Politics and religion are so closely related that it sometimes has been described as "making out with your cousin" in the relation of business and ethics.
2007-02-23 08:08:46 · answer #5 · answered by prarielad 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why does the word: misshape, come immediately to mind? Never have so few led so many astray, as is the case with the all too human "priestly class" and the "congregation" of "sinners" under its/their control. So many followers, so little consciousness :)))
Btw, try something along the lines of esoteric Buddho-Daoism, if you'd like to actually experience a connection with the "Higher Energies" and in a non corrupt leadership context :)))
2007-02-23 09:23:42 · answer #6 · answered by drakke1 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think the world would crumble in chaos.
2007-02-23 08:22:42 · answer #7 · answered by Adelaide V 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everything around us shapes the world. Just like our enviornment and situations shape us. And as long as we are shaped, we shape the world to adapt to our new circumstance.
2007-02-23 13:32:07 · answer #8 · answered by Saby 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People would find their way to continue killing in the name of whatever, be sure.
2007-02-23 17:32:31 · answer #9 · answered by Tune 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No,God does.
2007-02-23 08:15:20 · answer #10 · answered by Yahoo Man 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋