What would the world be like without religion?

Question

Obviously a hypothetical question, but I wondered.
Is it possible that there would be more peace or perhaps there would be more wars??? What would be subsitituted for religion?

Answer 1

"What would the world be like without religion?"

I suppose that mostly depends on when religion was made to magically disappear (for the sake of this hypothetical question). If Christianity and Islam never appeared, the world would obviously be a much more peaceful place. We would also be roughly 1600 years more technologically advanced because early Christianity forced Plato's Idealism and Aristotle's Solipsism into Western Civilization, which caused the Dark Ages. The scientific revolution, meaning the idea that the physical realm is objectively real, began about 400 years ago. I can't really imagine where we'd be if science began 2000 years ago, instead of Christianity, but I imagine humanity would be out there colonizing planets orbiting other stars, by now.

Answer 2

Well the answer is in the question.

What is the cause of most of the wars? Religion.

It's not simply religion as it is, but those religions which are intolerant and hateful.

So if religions were only loving and caring and embraced people rather than trying to judge them and change them you'd have less war. However I don't see that happening anytime soon.

A substitute is a difficult concept, because that implies a forced 'doing away with' of religion. However if people embraced spirituality rather than religious doctrine dogma and tradition they'd not only be much happier but they'd feel less compelled to try to ruin or take the lives of other people.

Answer 3

Pretty much as it is, now, I suspect. There would be other reasons for people to behave like absolute loons. There's always "patriotism," for example. The idea that one's country is somehow better and more deserving than anyone else's.

Answer 4

The Kingdom of God will substitute religion and countries. Daniel 2:44

Answer 5

Well, the Biblical definition of true religion is to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless, etc, etc.

In fact, Jesus said that if you've done these things even to the very LEAST, "you've done it to me."

With THAT definition, the place would be a lot worse off if religion were removed from the world!

Answer 6

The whole world will take antidepressants, medication for AIDS, viagra and condoms.

Answer 7

Probably like the Soviet Union or Communist China.

Answer 8

There would definately be more wars.

The substitute for religion would be take what you want, when you want, and the idea would be that there is no wrong.

Answer 9

Listening to one another without false stories putting us into opposing groups of mutual hell-condemners..

Answer 10

I wouldn't want to be an ambulance driver. I find "Good Samaritan", "St. Josephs", "Queen of Angels" now.....but - It'd be awful hard to find "Atheist General Hospital"