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I've been looking at these threads on religion for a while now and I have a philosophical question.
Would society be better or worse if there was no religion? Some would argue that religion brings order to society, it gives people a consequence for their actions. While others would say that people don't need the fear of eternal damnation to know the difference between right and wrong. And still others would condemn me to hell for even suggesting such a notion. I say we would be better off without the extremists and fanatics, while I have nothing against religions in general (most are fairly benign) they will always be an excuse for people to hate and kill each other.
What do you think?
I've been looking at these threads on religion for a while now and I have a philosophical question.
Would society be better or worse if there was no religion? Some would argue that religion brings order to society, it gives people a consequence for their actions. While others would say that people don't need the fear of eternal damnation to know the difference between right and wrong. And still others would condemn me to hell for even suggesting such a notion. I say we would be better off without the extremists and fanatics, while I have nothing against religions in general (most are fairly benign) they will always be an excuse for people to hate and kill each other.
What do you think?
Depends on what your definition of "better" or "worse" is...
I guess by better I mean more peaceful and by worse I mean even more chaos and division than exists now.
Many religions pursue peace, but may resort to violence in order to convert others or instill it in their society. Other religions pursuing peace do so by love, example, and prayer...so I guess it depends on the religion...also, perhaps consider some societies that lack religion...are they more peaceful?
Many religions pursue peace, but may resort to violence in order to convert others or instill it in their society. Other religions pursuing peace do so by love, example, and prayer...so I guess it depends on the religion...also, perhaps consider some societies that lack religion...are they more peaceful?
Actually I had to sit for a minute and think of a society that doesn't have religion and then of course I thought of China after the revolution.They definately were not any more peaceful. So I guess the countries that have abolished religion are no more peaceful. Maybe it's just human nature to fight over one thing or another. If it's not religion then it will just be something else....but maybe if there was no religion there might be just one less thing to argue over and maybe you wouldn't have the fanatasism (sp?) that religion can inspire.
Hmmm...can't really agree with you on that one. Humans by nature are a violent species, whether or not they believe in a deity. Religion just gives a lot of them what they think is an acceptable excuse to commit that violence.
Hmmm...can't really agree with you on that one. Humans by nature are a violent species, whether or not they believe in a deity. Religion just gives a lot of them what they think is an acceptable excuse to commit that violence.
So if they took that excuse away do you think they would just find a different reason to behave in the same way? I think a lot of religous types wouldn't dream of committing an act of violence but some get so zealous about their religion that it drives them to it.
So if they took that excuse away do you think they would just find a different reason to behave in the same way? I think a lot of religous types wouldn't dream of committing an act of violence but some get so zealous about their religion that it drives them to it.
I think the question is rather whether they kill people because their minds have been affected by a particular religion, a cult maybe, or simply because they are crazy.
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