Atheists/Agnostics: Is Religion truly to blame for any of humanities woes?

Question

If I make a sword, practice with a sword, then kill someone with a sword, the violence clearly did not come from the sword.

So if man makes Religion, practices with it, then uses it to justify a war, isn't blaming the war on Religion equally absurd?

Are Atheistic societies ANY less prone to violence?

BGrimey. Granted people kill in the name of God, the question is: "Is that truly a BIG diference?" especially if grant non-believers are just as likely to kill?

In football terms, does Religion create the competition OR is it just an incidental mascot we paint on our banners?

Does Religion create 'us' & 'them' OR is it just a speech the coach gives before the inevitable game?

efw: Bit of a pick and choose there buddy. If Africans were celebate and monogamous as per Catholic Doctirne, they wouldn't suffer from AIDS.

Answer 1

I am not an atheist or agnostic, but I do say you hit the nail on the head with that one.

I would say that it is not religion, whatever religion, but people using religion as a justification for their wrongdoing.

Answer 2

Good question!

Religion per se had been made by man for the good of the humanity. Religion gives rise to good laws. and good laws bring good fortune resulting to a happy enterprise. No doubt about it. Religion cannot be blamed out of the beliefs of men to justify a war. This is completely absurd. You cannot use religion in the forefront to justify the means. I don't think this will answer and serve the general premise.

However, there is a religion that indeed calls for a war when
they have to protect their men in the name of religion. Again, this will not substantiate the calling of their ruler. Man made religion as a catalyst for peace. Religion is for the humanity to attain righteousness and virtue.

Being an atheist does not make one to be less prone to violence. Violence doesn't choose any belief of a certain person. Being violent is caused by an intense emotional or mental excitement. Atheist are not exempted from this feeling i supposed.

Thanks for asking. Have a great day!

Answer 3

Since there has never been a human society outside of fiction where atheism was the order of the day, there is no way to answer this question as you have posed it.

Killing in the name of religion is answerable.

This is a relatively recent phenomena, dating to the last two thousand years and the rise of monotheism. Monotheism at its core is intolerant.

Those who are sure that they have found the one true way to the Divine spark often delude themselves into thinking that those who are "wrong" can not be allowed to continue in their error. Thoughts such as "kill them all, God will know his own" did not historically occur to polytheists. They fought wars of conquest, not religious purity.

The difference between these two basic forms of war become clearer when you examine conflicts like the Albigensian Crusade (which the preceeding quote came from) . This was a war between Christian factions, one labelled orthodox , the other heretical. The region of France where the conflict occurred was denuded of people by the orthodox faction, killing both the heretics and the orthodox, in an effort to stamp out those who were wrong.

In more normal forms of war, you do not even try to kill everyone. You need the people and resources that you are fighting for. Why would you commit genocide?

Answer 4

I'm a devout Agnostic and to me, the world is biology. It's survival of the fittest and regardless of religion, there are basic needs people have and there will always be some people who are stronger, faster, more powerful than others. Humanity would have its woes regardless of religion because we have the ability to reason and learn and to act upon those qualities. We see violence in most animal societies. That's essentially what we are, just more evolved.

Answer 5

It is not just religion which is prone to violence. There needs to be a Monetary Enlightenment. Would be interested in what views there would be on making Free Trade a Relgion to separate it and the belief in controlling money and resources with something like The Separation Of Church and state in The U.S. There is an oft expressed concern that those opposed to Free Trade are Dictators. Well if given option of confining beliefs in a Church will those concerned take anyone up on it.Perhaps politicians could be required to leave it in this place if they were to seek office and if not perhaps attend this church. Acknowledge Monetary Fundamentalism list as problem. Might help

Answer 6

I won't go all the back to Jesus, but when St. Augustine integrated Plato into Christianity, it brought on the Dark Ages. When Aquinas integrated Aristotle, over turning Plato, we came out of those Dark Ages. Aristotle has again been abandoned by many influential thinkers. Do you wonder why we are in such "dark ages" now as many think, including me?
Mohammed's Muslim religion was destined to wage war against other Arabs, and Jews, and in time Christians. Look what their zealots are doing now.
The Dark Ages lasted 1000 years approximately. Where do you think we would be now if Aristotle had been the first influence?

Answer 7

ALL HUMANS are prone to violence...Nevertheless, it makes more sense to fight for self-defense and / or resources than kill and die in the name of beliefs and ideas. Think about it. Those who have said "thou shall not kill, thou shall not steal" have created the greatest sources of bloodshed and theft throughout history. Religion is a tool that some (if not most) people need in order to live without being overwhelmed by the constant environmental pressure of the simple act of living on this planet. It is a primitive way of interpreting and understanding reality. It helps people deal with their lives and their world. But, like you said with the sword example, it is used by others as a tool for control, domination, manipulation and the search for power. Religion changes its purpose once it stops being a positive personal experience. If we got rid of religion (which we probably won't), we'd still fight for resources and / or self- defense, or to defend ideas that will have substituted religion.

Answer 8

History has shown that no society is lacking in violence. Religion is just another excuse people use to hide the fact that humans enjoy the rush of power they receive when they slaughter another human victim. Religion, politics, race, and territory are all major reasons for humans to excuse themselves from humanity and begin the killing. It always was, it always will be.

Answer 9

well religions really only support peace. but blameing a war on religion is ubsurd because man makes blood shed not religion.

Answer 10

Yes. A world without religion is a world where people are empowered. No more "us against them" mindset. Life is all we get.. we are all the same. Wars - always rooted in one "belief" system vs another. We are all equal. Why battle & die for some nonsense spewed by one sect claiming "their way" is the only true way...??

I repeat, we are all alike.. all equal.