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It is a very hypothetical thought as any legislation would not deter any worship, just keep it invisible. Most religions tend to grow when persecuted or outlawed.
For example, Christianity would probably have died in it's first century if the Romans had not tried to stamp it out. If it had not been for the crusades Islam would probably have remained on the Arabian Peninsula. Adversity and legislation often results in growth.
If somehow Religion were eliminated and all traces of it removed, control would be in the hands of the most ruthless. We have very few examples to compare with, but it seems in modern times the nations that have come closest to eliminating religion have been, Communist Russia, North Korea, China and Nazi Germany. Lack of religion would probably result in a world similar to them.
Oh it's VERY hypothetical- and I'm NOT suggesting it would be a good thing. Taking away someone's freedom to believe or be spiritual would be awful, and you are suggesting the kind of government that would put that kind of force on a society would be one similar to Nazi Germany, etc...which would be correct.
but..China has both religious freedom but can be pretty religious, can't they? And North Korea in their own way, although I do think they believe their prophet is still alive (their leader) right? So why would you categorize them there?
I am wondering why you think that power would be in the hands of the most ruthless...You are suggesting it would make people void of morals? Or are you suggesting that humans that lack religion are much easier to manipulate?
Oh it's VERY hypothetical- and I'm NOT suggesting it would be a good thing. Taking away someone's freedom to believe or be spiritual would be awful, and you are suggesting the kind of government that would put that kind of force on a society would be one similar to Nazi Germany, etc...which would be correct.
but..China has both religious freedom but can be pretty religious, can't they? And North Korea in their own way, although I do think they believe their prophet is still alive (their leader) right? So why would you categorize them there?
I am wondering why you think that power would be in the hands of the most ruthless...You are suggesting it would make people void of morals? Or are you suggesting that humans that lack religion are much easier to manipulate?
The legal religion of China is atheism. Religious practices are highly limited. In China Judaism, Islam and Christianity are the most restricted. Buddhism, Shintoism and Taoism are tolerated but more as a philosophy than as a religion.
Quote:
The People's Republic of China was established October 1, 1949. Its government is officially atheist, having viewed religion as emblematic of feudalism and foreign colonialism, and maintained separation of state and the church. This changed during the Cultural Revolution, in 1966 and 1967. The Cultural Revolution led to a policy of elimination of religions; a massive number of places of worship were destroyed
The reason I think Power would go to the hands of the most ruthless is because people seem to respond most to threats. The progression of governments seem to be to slide towards Dictatorships or Monarchys unless there is a strong non-Government influence within the nation. Without an organized belief system people tend to become apathetic followers of national politics.
There are many things science can't answer, even Mr. Hawking admits this.
He says even though he doesn't believe in a "God", he says there is nothing to show or prove there isn't or can't be one.
Of course there are many things science cannot answer, but that is not any reason to believe that there is a god.
Science has discovered a lot of stuff that was formerly attributed to god, and I have no doubt that will continue in spite of the people that prefer the god dunit answers.
Religion does not need to be outlawed, because eventually much of it will die off naturally.
I'm not suggesting such a thing - but, I can't help but wonder...
The human mind has a tendency to be spiritual or religious- would those feelings be transferred to things like worshiping brands, etc...?
Would morals and ethics change or would people gradually, over generations of forgotten religion practices, become hedonists?
would crime rates increase or decrease?
How would it effect empathy?
Just look at any one of dozens of cultures/times where it happened. Maybe North Korea would be a great example of what kind of place you'd get.
Anyway, religion wouldn't vanish, it would go underground. Then the hate and persecution could start.
We had the right idea here in the USA.... Freedom of religion but distinct separation of church and state. That is as perfect a system as you can get in a imperfect world.
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