How has the world benefited from Islam or Atheism?

Answer 1

Who says that it has benefited from them?

Islam has been violent from its very start.

Atheists have no purpose in life but self-gratification.

Kent_Shakespear; name the pre-Christian era accomplishments of Islam and Atheism.

grace2u

Answer 2

Its just a question so no reason to pick on the guy. But yes both have benefited the world as much as any other creed. There are geniouses all over the world. But yes, this little thing called mathematics is a gift from the Islamic world. The trade occured in the late medieval period sparked the beginning of the exploration era and the european renaissance. If Islam didn't exist the entire middle east would probably be fighting amongst one another based on race and ethnicity. In modern times think of all the doctors, scientists, computer and IT folks that come to western countries. I'm sure all of those folks are a great asset for any country. As far as Atheism....this country was formed by Deists and Atheists...science itself derives its existance from the thought that the supernatural isnt what explains the ways of the world. I'm sure the Atheist state known as China is benefiting the world right now. As well as the secular governments of Europe. But yeah, good question by the asker but people need to stop being so antsy and attacking teh asker of question instead of answering the question logically. If this question was asked with Christian instead of Islam or Atheist I'd be able to state the benefits Christianity has given to the world.

Answer 3

As much as it has from any other group of people. Consider also that even a smile to a stranger or a kind word can be considered a benefit to the world. Anyone is capable of that.

Islam has contributed much. After all, they were the leaders in math, medicine and science.

As far as atheists are concerned, the most obvious answer is that most respectable scientists today are atheists. What you are going to run into asking a question like this about atheism, however, is that there is no concrete evidence of a collective impact. Atheists don't typically do something in the name of atheism, nor do they congregate in the name of atheism. When an atheist volunteers or donates money to charity, for example, or contributes a literary or journalistic work that is not directly about atheism, or any other of the countless contributions to the world any person can make, the fact that the contribution was done by an atheist is not readily known nor documented.

Suggesting that atheists have contributed nothing or that they are only here for "self-gratification" is at best ignorant and at worst a pathetic attempt at self-aggrandizement,

Answer 4

Islam, at one time, gave us some revolutionary science and some dazzling art. But that was a long time ago and alas, it doesn't seem inclined to come up with anything like that anymore.

Atheism is not beneficial, though -- at least not in the sense of adding something to the sum of human experience.

All atheism does is clear away a huge cobweb of unsupported claims and make room for rational, critical, independent thinking.

Answer 5

You say that as if atheism is a new thing that people "believe" in. If you really want to know, lack of belief in gods has caused you to be able to type on the computer you've posted this question from (Bill Gates is an atheist). You may not understand it, I know it's not part of your world view to believe that there was a time when no one on earth had ever heard of your particular god, but I can tell you assuredly without doubt that the Egyptians that Moses escaped from did not believe in your version of god. If you want to know if they've been influential, look at the back of a dollar bill sometime, and then ask yourself, which god exactly are we putting our trust in?

Answer 6

Islam was progressive about 600 to 500 years ago and contributed a great deal to early scientific progress while Europe was still muddling through the Middle Ages.

That period for Islam ended suddenly with a return to an obsession with "what is written" and it has not recovered to this day. In the 106 years since Nobel Prizes began, only *two* Muslims have won it, one in literature and one in physics; by far the lowest percentage of any major religious group - and anyone can see the backward social and economic conditions under which most Muslim societies have to live today

Practically all scientists, 90% or more, are non-religious, not because they "hate god" but because they have no need of any supernatural concepts to do their research and provide the world with all the knowledge and benefits that they have.

It is the mis-use of these benefits by the general population (most of whom are religious) which has brought us to the brink of nuclear war and environmental catastrophe. Contrary to what they believe, "god" will not save us from ourselves, but once again science will if we allow it.

Mark101112's link to www.islam-watch.org is greatly appreciated!

Answer 7

The United States was not founded as ""One Nation Under God!''
This Country was begun as a secular Country because of the religious persecution in Europe!They did NOT want the same things happening here!
Read a history book before you make wishful statement like that!
Regardless of whether or not, people want to admit that atheists have had an influence in the world, they have!
Reread the list of known names of atheists!

Answer 8

Read this list the legacy of Islam. The number system is something that is a blessing from Muslim scientists, can you take this away and survive? no and this is just one thing what about other things?

Answer 9

I did benefit from Islam a lot

Answer 10

lol look who's a Christian.

Forget Islam, forget all organised religion, the world is a worse place with them - religious leaders contribute nothing to the productivity of a nation and live like parasites off the earnings of others.

And so atheist countries are more wealthy than religious countries - fact.

The USA is the exception which proves the rule.

Answer 11

Don't be ridiculous. There is Islamic architecture, developments in mathematics, many things that were being discovered and developed by islamic culture while christians were burning witches and developing the foundations of the inquisition. There are many great men and women who regard themselves as humanists, finding no necessity to create a god to worship, and still manage great humanitarian acts. Whichever belief system you examine you will find good and bad elements.
Personally I find any system that discourages people from building a humane life in this world and instead to invest in a supposed reward after death is immoral. The ultimate pig in a poke.