Why do we have religions?

Question

What would the world be if there were no religions?

And I am a believer not an atheist...
Peace/Salaam/Shalom

Answer 1

guidance and comfort...weddings etc

Answer 2

Religion is not perfect. I do not believe our traditional religions, are as good as they could be. But, nothing in life is perfect. It is better for people to make an attempt to be moral or spiritual, than to not fulfill this need they feel, and have it go in less directed or guided path. A lot of people would have really been in trouble, in times of crisis, if they did not have the comforting, and somewhat useful beliefs and support of a religion. Having no religions would be so much worse.

Answer 3

Hmm I think I have allready answered this question under a previous question to do with Peace and unity ....here is what I said then and I still say with a bit more...

I do feel that we need to look at things in a different way sometime to get a clear view off things and to understand that Truly there are little differences between one spirit of Man/Woman and another spirit of Woman/Man.. as i think most off the prophets were tryin to tell us no matter which religion you choose them to be under/come from,,

If we apply a little Logic to things and take away Religion
what is left..?
Truly all there would be is a bunch off Prophets with knowledge abound who are all trying to tell us the same thing.. That the way to Heaven is to Love and help one and other and to cast aside the need for material things ...would it not

So what have we done so far
we have done away with one great thing which stands between and sepparates all races ..Religion and the Greed/need for money/material things

But then what about God..? we havent said much about him .. how can we do all this and not beleive in God, well you see here all we need to understand is that God is God and is above all Man on Earth and yes he has and will have the finall say.. NO Matter what we choose to call him by which ever name he has been told unto us by which ever Prophets we have chosen to listen to from the past..

So what is now left..?
A Planet of Man/Woman who beleive in God and have done away with the Greed/Need off Money and any differencies which Religions had posed...

way to go huh
Now all we need to add is that we are all Truly the same Brothers/Sisters In the eyes of Creation and as all the Prophets, have said we are to Love our Brothers and Sisters and this shall be the only way to Peace and Unity for all.

And all that will stand is Life and Creation in itself and nothing more..! wow we have just created something called True Peace on Earth .. Lets Paarty........

Love Always

Answer 4

Maybe people would lose one reason to fight each other. It is ironic, that religions which ought to promote peace have been a source of bloody conflicts in some ways through the history of mankind. In the wars in the name of religions, God was demoted into mere symbols of the warring factions. Sad but true.

However, I personally believe that religious values are actually the source of current moral values.

Here is the connection between religiosity and morality. In the scientific literature, the degree of religiosity is generally found to be associated with higher ethical attitudes. Although a recent study by Gregory S. Paul published in the Journal of Religion and Society argues for a positive correlation between the degree of public religiosity in a society and certain measures of dysfunction, an analysis published later in the same journal contends that a number of methodological problems undermine any findings or conclusions to be taken from the research. In a response to the study by Paul, Gary F. Jensen builds on and refines Paul's study. His conclusion, after carrying out elaborate multivariate statistical studies, is that there is a correlation (and perhaps a causal relationship) of higher homicide rates, not with Christianity, but with dualism in Christianity, that is to say with the proportion of the population who believe the devil and hell exist. Excerpt: "A multiple regression analysis reveals a complex relationship with some dimensions of religiosity encouraging homicide and other dimensions discouraging it." Meanwhile, other studies seem to show positive links in the relationship between religiosity and moral behavior — for example, surveys suggesting a positive connection between faith and altruism. Modern research in criminology also acknowledges an inverse relationship between religion and crime; with many studies establishing this beneficial connection (though some claim it is a modest one). Indeed, a meta-analysis of 60 studies on religion and crime concluded, “religious behaviors and beliefs exert a moderate deterrent effect on individuals’ criminal behavior”.

Answer 5

This would be a boring world indeed without religions. You must remember that religion is a man made rule to govern the people of the church. Spirituality is what one feels on the inside of them and most often can see on the outside of someone. I hope this has helped. Blessings

Answer 6

The porpose of religions was to put a bit of morallity into imoral people, to give them reward for being good and punishment when they brake those social/moral rules.

Without religion some people would be who they really are, many wars would not have existed and people would just have been used to the idea that one day they will cease to exist, wich maybe would make them live their lifes better

EDIT: gay people could get married too, people would have one less reason to look down on others, maniacs would no longer have an excuse for their acts

Answer 7

It would be about the same.

We have religions to organize groups and perpetuate belief systems. Political philosophies can also serve this purpose. The biggest difference in the world would probably be the transient nature of these philosophical systems versus the self-perpetuating nature of religions.

While some wars are the product of religion, most are the product of an underlying conflict between groups. These would still occur. We might not fight about evolution but there are always groups (know-nothings, Luddites, even some new-agers) who are willing to fight against science and the modern world.

All in all, I would guess it would mean different reasons but similar results. As the Who said: "meet the new boss, same as the old boss." Or, to quote Pogo, "we have met the enemy and he is us."

Answer 8

Well one things for sure alot of people would not be wasting so much time on yahoo answers.

But basically humans are hard wired to worship so if they can not find the true God they make there own up.

That is why we have religions.

Answer 9

People were created to enjoy each others company. They also need to be apart of a group, of people that think the way they do. We need consistent reminders of moral convictions. As well as taking responsibility for our emotions, behavior and social involvement. Having nothing around to remind us to love each other and ourselves would create total chaos.

Answer 10

to guide us to the straight path, the path of which is blessed.
if there were no religion, the world would be more chaotic bc there is just no law or social norm that can be standardize universally, only religion, thus unity in diversity.

Answer 11

And which war was it that Jews started? Or Hindus, which war did they start? Let's see, Buddhists are in trouble with China simply because they exist. How about Zoroastrians? Have they started any wars?

Are you SURE that religion is the problem?
.