If religion did not exist, would the world be a less violent and safer place?

[BFD_Zayl]

no, people would look for another excuse to slaughter each other. religion is just the most convienient one at the moment.

 

[Papersock]

People are violent, whether they be religious or nonreligious. The religions themselves may be benevolent and peaceful, but some of the people who belong to them may be violent. It is unfair to say that an entire culture or religion is violent because some of them are violent. That is stereotyping to my way of thinking.

Agreed.
Without religions human beings would just find other things to fight and kill each other over. Despite how advanced we are, or think we are, we are still violent animals.

 

[Rowenn]

I reckon the world would be a better place because religion causes so many problems in societies across the world.

Anyone care to prove me wrong?

I do not believe that anyone here (these forums) has the capability of calculating the factuality of that statement without extensive historical, anthropological and other scientific research..

 

[Don Penguinoini]

Religion is just a way, but there are so many thigns we would ifhgt for..OIL...LAND...WOMEN(old days)...HOSTAGES...RELIGION(notice how that only counted as ONE?)...RACE...NATIONALITY... and the list goes on.

 

[logician]

Ulimately it's man's laws, not religious beliefs, that control how violent or safe a society is, as man's laws are enforcecable, religious laws are not unless the regime itself is a religious sect, then religious laws may become man's laws.

 

[yossarian22]

I do not believe that anyone here (these forums) has the capability of calculating the factuality of that statement without extensive historical, anthropological and other scientific research..

You can't calculate something like this.

 

[Rowenn]

You can't calculate something like this.

My point exactly..

 

[yossarian22]

My point exactly..

You missed my point. A calculation of probability is not needed. We kill each other over many many other things besides religion.

 

[Rowenn]

You missed my point. A calculation of probability is not needed. We kill each other over many many other things besides religion.

Oh! Silly me. Well, I understand your point, but in the realm of religion and religious values, all I'm saying is that I think we would need somewhat of an expert to find a definate answer to that question. Personally, I have no idea as to whether the world would be a better place or not. It depends entirely on what you concider a better world than the one we live in. I suppose you could call me "religious" as well, so perhaps this wouldn't be my first choice, but then again, how should I know?

 

[yossarian22]

Oh! Silly me.

Well, in retrospect, I was not very clear as to what my point was.

Well, I understand your point, but in the realm of religion and religious values, all I'm saying is that I think we would need somewhat of an expert to find a definate answer to that question.

Yes.
To do so will require a greater understanding of complex continuous systems. A much better one.

Personally, I have no idea as to whether the world would be a better place or not. It depends entirely on what you concider a better world than the one we live in.

Good point.

 

[Don Penguinoini]

The world is bad enough as it is. Best we just leave it alone, or we might reck it more.

 

[Smoke]

I reckon the world would be a better place because religion causes so many problems in societies across the world.

Anyone care to prove me wrong?

No. Religion provides innumerable excuses for violence and hatred, and while we would still have plenty of violence and hatred if we didn't have religion, it's a fair bet that we'd have less.

However, since we do have religion all around us, I think it's more interesting to ask why religions have such strong tendencies toward violence, oppression and hatred. Why have most religions failed so miserably at instilling morality and compassion in their adherents? And why do people cling so desperately to ways of thinking and behaving that are so clearly destructive? Why do people invest such great significance in ways of thinking and behaving that obviously don't work?

 

[Don Penguinoini]

Cause some want everyoen to believe theirs. ITS HEAD CHOPPING NOW!


(you like my new avatar?)

 

[Smoke]

(you like my new avatar?)

No, he's too nervous looking. Penguins should be fat and happy looking.

 

[Don Penguinoini]

No, he's too nervous looking. Penguins should be fat and happy looking.

Now??

 

[Mister_T]

I reckon the world would be a better place because religion causes so many problems in societies across the world.

I disagree. If you took religion out of the picture, people would simply replace it with some other "outlet" to justify their evil/bad actions.

 

[Ceridwen018]

One could point to Soviet Russia, red China, and North Korea but there is no guarantee that those type of society would be the rule in a world without religion...

I think most people would agree that its not necessarily religion that's the problem, its dogmatism. (Granted, some religions are founded in dogmatism so they would have to go...) For instance, Stalin and Mao were atheists, but their people worshipped and obeyed them as if they were gods. Stalin and Mao laid down strict rules to control every aspect of a person's life, like religious dogma does. Also important, Stalin and Mao were more than happy to let people worship them and play god--they did things because they wanted power for themselves, not "in the name of Atheism" which makes it a lot different. The fact that they were atheists is essentially irrlevant, because there have been plenty of evil religious dictators as well, such as Saddam, or, I dunno, Adolf Hitler.

Here's the definition of "dogma" as found on dictionary.com

dog·ma [dawg-muh, dog-]
1. a system of principles or tenets, as of a church.
2. a specific tenet or doctrine authoritatively laid down, as by a church: the dogma of the Assumption.
3. prescribed doctrine: political dogma.
4. a settled or established opinion, belief, or principle.

 

[Smoke]

I think most people would agree that its not necessarily religion that's the problem, its dogmatism.

It's certainly the dogmatic religions and other dogmatic belief systems that cause the most problems.

 

[Quiddity]

People in general move toward being dogmatic. It's rare when you bump into people that will allow most everything.

As long as people move toward some sort of order, they will always tend to develop some sort of dogmas. It's not just a religious thing by any means. The only difference is that religious folks admit it.

 

[lunamoth]

The main example where I can see religion leading to greater violence is if your religious group tells you to do something oppressive or violent, and you think it is unethical but you do it anyway because you believe it when you are told it is 'God's will.' But, this is not really different than if you were asked to do something unethical for another group in which you have a large stake, for example your country or your ethnic group.

What would you do if your religous group/church/faith/authority told you that you should go raid the next town and kill everyone who did not convert?