View Full Version : What would Earth be like without religion?
Juggle
02-24-2011, 04:15 AM
What would Earth be like without religion? I'm not trying to imply it would be better, frankly we couldn't know for sure, but I figured it was a pretty interesting topic.
This thread is relevant to my interests.
214sobrien
02-24-2011, 04:36 AM
This thread is relevant to my interests.
Mine also.
Personally, I believe it would be worse. I myself do not believe in religion, but if I had to guess 90% of the world does. A lot of those people are better "people" in the grand scheme of things because of it.
Mine also.
Personally, I believe it would be worse. I myself do not believe in religion, but if I had to guess 90% of the world does. A lot of those people are better "people" in the grand scheme of things because of it.
I think just quite the opposite. I'm an Atheist, and may be more inclined to lie to someone, steal something or get into a fist fight more willingly than my devout christian brother in law, I still don't. It's not one's ideals that make them a good person in that regard. It's their ability to keep themselves in check and not act on impulse.
More fights have started over "hey, you don't think the way I do about religion. You're wrong and you're going to burn in hell for all of eternity because of that" than for any other singular reason I can think of.
Juggle
02-24-2011, 04:46 AM
Mine also.
Personally, I believe it would be worse. I myself do not believe in religion, but if I had to guess 90% of the world does. A lot of those people are better "people" in the grand scheme of things because of it.
Good point, I hadn't thought of that before.
One thing I would think is that Earth would likely be at it's peak population. Space programs would be heavily funded, as no more available land exists to be domesticated.
AIDs would likely be eradicated. Simply because condoms would be used, birth control, etc. more often than today.
I think just quite the opposite. I'm an Atheist, and may be more inclined to lie to someone, steal something or get into a fist fight more willingly than my devout christian brother in law, I still don't. It's not one's ideals that make them a good person in that regard. It's their ability to keep themselves in check and not act on impulse.
More fights have started over "hey, you don't think the way I do about religion. You're wrong and you're going to burn in hell for all of eternity because of that" than for any other singular reason I can think of.
But you're quite more logical and sane than our human counterparts. A good number of people only do something because their associated rulebook tells them not to. But I still agree with you, other than 214's opinion.
Wolfly
02-24-2011, 09:15 AM
Our technology would be a lot more advanced I reckon, considering we just farted right through the Middle Ages thanks to the church.
I also think we'd be doing worse, since religion generally introduces a moral guidebook (fear of god).
Our technology would be a lot more advanced I reckon, considering we just farted right through the Middle Ages thanks to the church.
I also think we'd be doing worse, since religion generally introduces a moral guidebook (fear of god).
You can blame Roman Catholics for that, not Christianity. They bastardized it.
You can blame Roman Catholics for that, not Christianity. They bastardized it.
Catholicism is a fucked up religion. It's nothing more than a ritualistic cult that has somehow gained the title of full blown religion.
kjanko
02-24-2011, 06:34 PM
Let's all be Mormons.
Minilano
02-24-2011, 06:36 PM
Is anyone deeply Amish like myself?
Nethrak
02-24-2011, 06:48 PM
Maybe an good world, no more terrorist and shit
Catholicism is a fucked up religion. It's nothing more than a ritualistic cult that has somehow gained the title of full blown religion.
Roman Catholicism is the religious subgroup from Catholicism. Most Christian denominations are derived from Catholicism, but not Roman Catholicism that really gave Christianity a bad name.
Roman Catholicism is the religious subgroup from Catholicism. Most Christian denominations are derived from Catholicism, but not Roman Catholicism that really gave Christianity a bad name.
IMHO it's the Christians who think they are honorary members of the Knights Templar and take it upon themselves to beat everyone they see about the head with a bible and try to convert everyone else on Earth that give Christians a bad name.
Religions are nothing more than a bureaucracy designed to dictate the life style of it's followers. That's not to say people who believe in a higher power in general are all insane or fall under this group. People should just believe what they believe and be on their way.
spasm
02-25-2011, 04:28 AM
Also, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism all sprouted up during a time where the people needed something to believe in and cling to because they had nothing else but death and suffering... These religions helped control a mass amount of people and keep them in moderate check. It gave something for people to look forward to in their lives back then, considering the average life span was very low and such. I personally think we should drop religion all together, and explore the facts... and live off what the facts show us, not what some thousand year old books say.
Is anyone deeply Amish like myself?
Why are you using a computer then...?
Seragath
02-25-2011, 06:46 PM
Well what he most likely means is how the world would be WITHOUT religion as a whole. Who cares what comes from where. if we think about how fast we go through technology now. We could say that if this happened ages ago, we would be a lot more advanced. Since back then religion destroyed you if you disobeyed it, now a days no one even cares. For the most part.
IMHO it's the Christians who think they are honorary members of the Knights Templar and take it upon themselves to beat everyone they see about the head with a bible and try to convert everyone else on Earth that give Christians a bad name.
Religions are nothing more than a bureaucracy designed to dictate the life style of it's followers. That's not to say people who believe in a higher power in general are all insane or fall under this group. People should just believe what they believe and be on their way.
Don't group up all Christians as Roman Catholics who want to be Knights Templar. That is just as bad as saying all secular people think they will turn into a tree.
Religion is a belief system. Science is a belief system. Only thing is that it is forced curriculum to convince weak-minded people that everything scientists say is pure fact and can't be disputed. As much as you want to bitch and moan that Christians want to cram shit down your throat, so do scientists and they are the ones in school fucking shit up.
Don't group up all Christians as Roman Catholics who want to be Knights Templar. That is just as bad as saying all secular people think they will turn into a tree.
Religion is a belief system. Science is a belief system. Only thing is that it is forced curriculum to convince weak-minded people that everything scientists say is pure fact and can't be disputed. As much as you want to bitch and moan that Christians want to cram shit down your throat, so do scientists and they are the ones in school fucking shit up.
I'm not grouping all Christians, just the ones who take it upon themselves to force religion on others. I know some Christians that are quite enjoyable to be around because we can respect eachothers' beliefs and don't get too much into it.
Science is good to a point, and that point is when studies and research produce new evidence or prove a theory, then people pass that fact off as fact. When people start saying theory X is true, or conjecture Y must be true, then they can go fall off a bridge as far as I'm concerned.
I'm not grouping all Christians, just the ones who take it upon themselves to force religion on others. I know some Christians that are quite enjoyable to be around because we can respect eachothers' beliefs and don't get too much into it.
Science is good to a point, and that point is when studies and research produce new evidence or prove a theory, then people pass that fact off as fact. When people start saying theory X is true, or conjecture Y must be true, then they can go fall off a bridge as far as I'm concerned.
The ones that take it upon themselves to force it upon others are few.
Science is a human reasoning for what is around us. But the public school system has taken it upon themselves to make every person who goes through it make it their belief system regardless.
Nonsense567
02-26-2011, 03:40 AM
Flying Cars.
The ones that take it upon themselves to force it upon others are few.
Science is a human reasoning for what is around us. But the public school system has taken it upon themselves to make every person who goes through it make it their belief system regardless.
True, but they exist. And they are the ones I have a problem with.
The public school system is so broken and fucked up and I can't even think of a comparison. I could spend all day pointing out flaws to the superintendents of school districts and by the end of the day I still wouldn't be finished. It is by some miracle that the USA even has the graduation percentage we currently do, even if it is already disappointing.
True, but they exist. And they are the ones I have a problem with.
The public school system is so broken and fucked up and I can't even think of a comparison. I could spend all day pointing out flaws to the superintendents of school districts and by the end of the day I still wouldn't be finished. It is by some miracle that the USA even has the graduation percentage we currently do, even if it is already disappointing.
You have a problem with a small portion and try to make it a big deal. You are going to have lots of people trying to force their opinions on you.
Indeed, but the issue of faulty education is worldwide.
Juggle
02-26-2011, 04:15 AM
True, but they exist. And they are the ones I have a problem with.
The public school system is so broken and fucked up and I can't even think of a comparison. I could spend all day pointing out flaws to the superintendents of school districts and by the end of the day I still wouldn't be finished. It is by some miracle that the USA even has the graduation percentage we currently do, even if it is already disappointing.
Hey, shhhh, the school system is fine, I mean, look at half of the posters here. So intelligent, mature, kind, with perfect grammar and punctuation. Hell, half of them even know what that little, red line under that word means! 50% is pretty good! I mean, I learned when I was 7 that .5 rounds up to 1.
You have a problem with a small portion and try to make it a big deal. You are going to have lots of people trying to force their opinions on you.
Indeed, but the issue of faulty education is worldwide.
It's actually quite a bit better over the pond (albeit still bad, I agree). I'm not sure on the statistics, but after the Texas Board of Education (who's textbooks basically teach 70% of the children in America,) removed Thomas Jefferson out of American history books because he believed in pro-choice, I completely lost faith in America.
We're getting quite a bit off-topic, eh?
It's actually quite a bit better over the pond (albeit still bad, I agree). I'm not sure on the statistics, but after the Texas Board of Education (who's textbooks basically teach 70% of the children in America,) removed Thomas Jefferson out of American history books because he believed in pro-choice, I completely lost faith in America.
We're getting quite a bit off-topic, eh?
That was a dick move for the textbook makers, but schools completely ignore religion.
vink29
02-26-2011, 02:57 PM
People won't say "Oh my God"
People won't say "Oh my God"
Oh my Darwin. Oh wait, he wants us to die.
cpx34
02-26-2011, 03:48 PM
Let's all be Mormons.
you mean morons :P
you mean morons :P
Could be pastafailians.
cyberbritt
02-26-2011, 05:58 PM
Maybe an good world, no more terrorist and shit
I belive your wrong, terrorism is done by extremist and groups like al quida. Not religions infact.
Weliaz
02-26-2011, 06:04 PM
I belive your wrong, terrorism is done by extremist and groups like al quida. Not religions infact.
Right, but some people do terrorism because their religion got offended :)
Wolfly
02-26-2011, 07:37 PM
And would terrorism be gone in the world if religion ceases to exist? No.
Right, but some people do terrorism because their religion got offended :)
And many others for political, ethnic, and gender reasons. You plan on removing those as well?
Error(51)
02-28-2011, 02:25 AM
Honestly? People would be more realistic.
Honestly? People would be more realistic.
How so?
How so?
The definition of faith is putting one's trust in someone or something that is not based on proof. If a vast amount of the population of Earth required a reasonable degree of proof before they put their trust in something then it would make sense that those people would be more realistic about things.
negrodamus
02-28-2011, 01:50 PM
What would Earth be like without religion?
Simple Answer: Better than you can imagine.
Answer that is tough to swallow: Pretty damn boring.
Error(51)
02-28-2011, 03:32 PM
How so?
The definition of faith is putting one's trust in someone or something that is not based on proof. If a vast amount of the population of Earth required a reasonable degree of proof before they put their trust in something then it would make sense that those people would be more realistic about things.
Exactly, people sometimes rely on "God" or a superior being to help them through things, like "I might be going bankrupt" so they go and pray and they think that will help them through things, but in reality that wouldn't help.
The definition of faith is putting one's trust in someone or something that is not based on proof. If a vast amount of the population of Earth required a reasonable degree of proof before they put their trust in something then it would make sense that those people would be more realistic about things.
It is second hand trust. One person you trust tells you something that is somewhat believable and you trust them unless given a reason otherwise.
Exactly, people sometimes rely on "God" or a superior being to help them through things, like "I might be going bankrupt" so they go and pray and they think that will help them through things, but in reality that wouldn't help.
Yet plenty of people who do believe in "God" do pray about it and what looks like while be negative ends up being averted.
Juggle
02-28-2011, 08:28 PM
It is second hand trust. One person you trust tells you something that is somewhat believable and you trust them unless given a reason otherwise.
Yet plenty of people who do believe in "God" do pray about it and what looks like while be negative ends up being averted.
Religion can be compared to this following conversation:
Police Commanding Officer (PCO): All right men! We're looking for a rugged ant who robbed a bank! This pretty rushed fellow told me he saw an ant carry the bags of money away!
Rookie: But, sir, how can an... ant... rob a bank? It's an ant.
PCO: Well obviously it's a very crafty ant, it managed to get rid of any evidence pointing the trail to him, except of course for our witness.
Rookie: Right sir! I'll check the nearest ant hills.
Without religion people wouldn't check the nearest ant hill, they would follow the trail of evidence leading to the man who hid the marked bank notes under his bed. They would follow evidence instead of "second hand trust."
Phenom.GW
03-06-2011, 05:27 PM
A lot of fights/wars have started over religion in the past. Now, don't take me wrong as I am not saying that without religion the world would be better.
Note that for example the law in the Netherlands (and most likely almost every country) was at first entirely based of the bible (or some other book, depending on the religion). Obviously it's constantly changed but the base is still there. So, if there wasn't religion, how would our laws be, if we would have any at all?
Religion did bring some good to the world, everything seems to be somewhat balanced. Even though I do not believe in any religion myself and I wouldn't mind if all the religion would slowly disappear.
Religion can be compared to this following conversation:
Police Commanding Officer (PCO): All right men! We're looking for a rugged ant who robbed a bank! This pretty rushed fellow told me he saw an ant carry the bags of money away!
Rookie: But, sir, how can an... ant... rob a bank? It's an ant.
PCO: Well obviously it's a very crafty ant, it managed to get rid of any evidence pointing the trail to him, except of course for our witness.
Rookie: Right sir! I'll check the nearest ant hills.
Without religion people wouldn't check the nearest ant hill, they would follow the trail of evidence leading to the man who hid the marked bank notes under his bed. They would follow evidence instead of "second hand trust."
You are comparing it with what you understand religion to be, which so far has shown to be extremely limited thus your opinions are heavily skewed.
Furball
03-08-2011, 12:25 AM
A world without religion. Hmm. We wouldn't make it long.
I'm atheist, and I have noticed that religion holds together our society in the United States. There are churches on every corner, which is a waste, and there are so many preachers.
Now they have telemarketing preachers who call your house, asking for you to convert to their religion. Which is bullshit.
My point is, though, religion gives humans something to hope for. It gives hope. Deep down, most know that there is no such thing, but it keeps them going everyday. Recently, my friend 'found God'. He was ALWAYS a bad child. He's been in jail numerous times. He went with his family to church one time and came back a new man.
We obviously don't talk anymore by the way. lulz. But yeah, religion holds people together mentally and emotionally. Without religion, crime would be up, along with corruption and such.
That is my opinion anyway.
A world without religion. Hmm. We wouldn't make it long.
I'm atheist, and I have noticed that religion holds together our society in the United States. There are churches on every corner, which is a waste, and there are so many preachers.
Now they have telemarketing preachers who call your house, asking for you to convert to their religion. Which is bullshit.
My point is, though, religion gives humans something to hope for. It gives hope. Deep down, most know that there is no such thing, but it keeps them going everyday. Recently, my friend 'found God'. He was ALWAYS a bad child. He's been in jail numerous times. He went with his family to church one time and came back a new man.
We obviously don't talk anymore by the way. lulz. But yeah, religion holds people together mentally and emotionally. Without religion, crime would be up, along with corruption and such.
That is my opinion anyway.
Religion doesn't hold the country together, if anything it's a deficit. People worry about religion this or religion that so much it is in fact stealing peoples' attention away from more pressing issues.
Take for instance that WalMart door greeter debacle back in like 2006, one of them said "Merry Christmas" to someone who wasn't a Christian and that person got butthurt about it and then the ACLU had stick their nose into that one turning it into national news. If they would have all shut the hell up about it, or better yet not paid it any attention perhaps that time could have been better spent fixing this shitty country instead of a bunch of people flexing their religions around in everyone's face.
Religion doesn't hold the country together, if anything it's a deficit. People worry about religion this or religion that so much it is in fact stealing peoples' attention away from more pressing issues.
Take for instance that WalMart door greeter debacle back in like 2006, one of them said "Merry Christmas" to someone who wasn't a Christian and that person got butthurt about it and then the ACLU had stick their nose into that one turning it into national news. If they would have all shut the hell up about it, or better yet not paid it any attention perhaps that time could have been better spent fixing this shitty country instead of a bunch of people flexing their religions around in everyone's face.
It is hilarious because the same people who bitched about others saying "Merry Christmas" celebrated it. Why they are intolerant of religion, we may never know.
Without religion there wouldn't have been any dark ages, humankind would be vastly more advanced.
Technology-wise, we would be much, much better off and probably have cured a lot of the diseases which currently plague us, can't really talk about morally but I'm not religious and I'm not out killing people for the fun of it so I can only assume that most people wouldn't be inclined to do that as well just because they don't believe in God.
Without religion there wouldn't have been any dark ages, humankind would be vastly more advanced.
Technology-wise, we would be much, much better off and probably have cured a lot of the diseases which currently plague us, can't really talk about morally but I'm not religious and I'm not out killing people for the fun of it so I can only assume that most people wouldn't be inclined to do that as well just because they don't believe in God.
Proof please.
Last I checked, religion hasn't inhibited technology in a long time. In fact, you might come to understand that it has helped technology. You should look up how many religious organizations fund research to fight disease.
asbert75
06-04-2011, 07:14 AM
Flying Cars.
Excuse me but this is a religious and serious discussion, please do not interrupt us with your useless shit talk. If you really think the world would have flying cars without religion, please, explain why.
Baked
06-04-2011, 07:24 AM
The world wouldn't exist without religion. When it comes down to it, all religion is is a collection of ideas and thoughts. Whether there is such a thing as religion or not, people will still have "religious" ideas.
Now if you want to say "What would the world be like if religion wasn't as organized and or people didn't carry such strong beliefs?" I would say it would be a much better place. What it all comes down to really, whether they have very strong beliefs or not, people need to be more open-minded and have a much higher level of tolerance. The way things are now if someone has a different belief than you, they're likely to shoot you or call you an idiot and say "ur wrong." (a bit extreme, but you get the idea).
I don't see why people can't just keep on believing what they believe in and let others do the same.
Seragath
06-04-2011, 09:58 AM
Proof please.
Last I checked, religion hasn't inhibited technology in a long time. In fact, you might come to understand that it has helped technology. You should look up how many religious organizations fund research to fight disease.
But it has hindered it. Helped technology ? Maybe. But you will find many religious organizations NOT wanting to fund those kind of research because if you should be saved it should be decided by god.
Teath
06-04-2011, 10:03 AM
Without it we would all have more clear minds, less dead people from wars for religion, more rational thinking, more advanced world and we would all be much smarter without that junk being put in our heads.
It would be the best fucking place in the world.
We would be much, much, much more advanced in technology meaning there will be less deaths due to diseases not to mention lots of other benefits of having advancements in technology.
There would be less racism, sexism, etc. that are sanctioned by various different religions.
We would be much, much, much more advanced in technology meaning there will be less deaths due to diseases not to mention lots of other benefits of having advancements in technology.
There would be less racism, sexism, etc. that are sanctioned by various different religions.
Technology doesn't always inversely correlate to deaths decreasing. In fact, it has many times it has caused more deaths. Cars kill lots of people. The benefits and the consequences of advancing technology.
I'm not sure if you know this, but racism, sexism, etc isn't just with religion. In fact, it is promoted outside of religion often.
Well looking at the records of crimes and teen pregnancies, and many other things, that went sky high after the Bible was removed from public schools, a short while back... I would say that the world would be a whole lot worse. Murder, Theft, Adultery, and more would be off the charts. (My opinion).
Well looking at the records of crimes and teen pregnancies, and many other things, that went sky high after the Bible was removed from public schools, a short while back... I would say that the world would be a whole lot worse. Murder, Theft, Adultery, and more would be off the charts. (My opinion).
I wouldn't go as far to say that the lack of a Bible in schools caused crime to go up. I would, however, say that society as a whole is degrading at a faster rate.
I wouldn't go as far to say that the lack of a Bible in schools caused crime to go up. I would, however, say that society as a whole is degrading at a faster rate.
I am just stating the details from a few charts and graphs I seen from date the Bible was removed until 2010.
:D
I am just stating the details from a few charts and graphs I seen from date the Bible was removed until 2010.
:D
I read an article about video games and decreasing crime rates, but like the author say, correlation does not mean causation.
I read an article about video games and decreasing crime rates, but like the author say, correlation does not mean causation.
... Lol, I would say that author is nuts... Anyways I am going to stop with this: (My Opinion) Was based off the charts and graphs I seen, and the charts were not pulled out of some person's crack, but were taken by polls and other stuff, now once again this is My Opinion, and I was just stating something from the facts I seen. My thought in this discussion end here, I don't like arguing, and did enough of it with an ass earlier, but you seem like you got a level head on your shoulders expo, so I won't argue with you.
... Lol, I would say that author is nuts... Anyways I am going to stop with this: (My Opinion) Was based off the charts and graphs I seen, and the charts were not pulled out of some person's crack, but were taken by polls and other stuff, now once again this is My Opinion, and I was just stating something from the facts I seen. My thought in this discussion end here, I don't like arguing, and did enough of it with an ass earlier, but you seem like you got a level head on your shoulders expo, so I won't argue with you.
Let me give you an example. I play video games often, but not so often that it is a necessity in my life. Now, to some people playing video games more than an hour a day is an addiction. Others see nothing wrong with any amount of time played as long as it doesn't negatively effect your daily life. Research can easily be shown that lots of video games can have negative effects. But then again, other research can promote positive effects.
Now back to me. I stopped playing WoW 2 weeks ago simply because I lost interest in it even after playing it for 3 years. My parents honestly think I am still addicted to it. I'd like to point out that I go to college, so it is obvious that my head is on straight, even though I am barely an average student when measuring me up to what the lolgovernment says. Do I feel like it is an addiction? No. Do I act like I have an addiction to it? No. Does it have negative effects? Yes, I don't have face-to-face conversations as much. Does it have positive effects? Yes, I talk to people from many age groups, genders, nationalities, locations, even languages.
Overall, video games are fairly balanced. It is the players themselves that pick how they will be effected.
inlinevoid
06-17-2011, 04:04 AM
Religion spreads ignorance. If religion was gone, people would actually pay attention to the facts of life instead of believing in some omnipresent being.
Religion spreads ignorance. If religion was gone, people would actually pay attention to the facts of life instead of believing in some omnipresent being.
Hahahahahaha. Ignorance is widespread and evident outside of religion.
splicho
08-20-2011, 04:05 AM
http://www.irreligion.org/images/pics.or.it.didnt.happen.jpg
KAKA2081
08-20-2011, 04:05 AM
http://www.irreligion.org/images/pics.or.it.didnt.happen.jpg
ftw !
Jessica rose
08-27-2011, 09:40 AM
Well looking at the records of crimes and teen pregnancies, and many other things, that went sky high after the Bible was removed from public schools, a short while back... I would say that the world would be a whole lot worse. Murder, Theft, Adultery, and more would be off the charts. (My opinion).
Religion spreads ignorance. If religion was gone, people would actually pay attention to the facts of life instead of believing in some omnipresent being.
People who act religiously may act ignorant yes, however this little perspective that there is someone watching from above influences people to do good deeds, love their neighbor, follow the ten commandments all of those things based on their religion. (like how kids behave near Christmas cause they think Santa was watching) If you were to open their eyes to the world and screw religion all together I believe based on this that there will be a higher crime rate, the world would be a worse place. Now not saying that religion is the only reasons people don't off their neighbors or whoever pisses them off but does make a difference. You stated that without religion people would pay attention to the facts of life, by that what do you mean? It would be nice if you explained it a bit more.
To me the facts of life would be the crime rate, increase of food and gas prices, starvation in many countries, corrupt governments...if everyone saw things for what it really is how do you think they can go on living life normally. I mean we know shit happens every day, animal abuse, child abuse, starvation, murders but we don't like to think about it. I would describe it as living in your own bubble away from the worldly "sins" (might as well since we're talking about religion) anyways nice topic I hope I proved a little point, however it is only my opinion.
Pandah
08-30-2011, 03:51 AM
It would be less annoying.
ArcaneFusion
10-10-2011, 01:45 PM
Is anyone deeply Amish like myself?
then why are you on the Internet hanging out on forums ????????
really the moral backbone is not based of church or a book (except maybe the guide) it's an idea that even with out religion we would still have it .. BUT i believe a lot of differences would be put aside due to the biggest causer of wars and fights end up being proven to start over a religious choice.. so in a way i say much better with out it
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