BF2S Forums Would the world be better off without religion?

konfusion wrote:

M.O.A.B wrote:

But then think about its, without religion (in this example Islam) the entire Middle East may have developed like the rest of the world instead of only areas around Saudi Arabia.

You call Saudi Arabia developed? It ain't anymore developed than most other mid-eastern countries... Iran is probably more developed in some ways.

-konfusion

Areas AROUND Saudi Arabia, like Dubai and parts of Qatar are pretty well developed

Religion is fine but its Humankind that fucks everything up. And its not due to religion but our nature.

With religion and it's effect on humanity, one has to weigh up the pros and cons of it.

For example, obviously religion has been a recent source of most conflicts, whether it be blatantly against a religion (Like in ww2, or the whole Kurdistan thing), or more subtly divided along religious lines (Israel vs EVERYONE AROUND IT).

On the other hand religion, when applied properly and peacefully, can lead to people whom follow it leading more fulfilling and focused lives.

While religion isn't really my thing, in theory it's a rather good idea. But in practice it has been twisted to a point where it is the fuel for a lot of conflicts ranging from the position of a fence between neighbours on a block of land through to the levelling of apartment blocks in Lebanon.

So my vote is yes. Like communism, brilliant in theory (well that's debatable, but still), but it's not working in a modern capacity.

konfusion wrote:

M.O.A.B wrote:

konfusion wrote:

You call Saudi Arabia developed? It ain't anymore developed than most other mid-eastern countries... Iran is probably more developed in some ways.

-konfusion

Areas AROUND Saudi Arabia, like Dubai and parts of Qatar are pretty well developed

Oh... you meant economically? Meh. Dubai is just a big artificial wanna-be major city.

-konfusion

lol, looks nice though

PureFodder wrote:

M.O.A.B wrote:

konfusion wrote:

You call Saudi Arabia developed? It ain't anymore developed than most other mid-eastern countries... Iran is probably more developed in some ways.

-konfusion

Areas AROUND Saudi Arabia, like Dubai and parts of Qatar are pretty well developed

Hold on there, Islamic areas have spend the majority of their history well in advance of us westerners. It's only been the last few hundred years that western Europe overtook the middle East technologically. For thousands of years before that they kicked our asses, so Islam itself can't be expressly a detractor of development.

Eh? I though Islam came about after Christianity and all that lot? It was the Persian dudes and all them who were advanced etc.

Last edited by M.O.A.B (2007-12-21 08:02:25)

Uhmm...
No shit?

FEOS wrote:

Liquidat0r hit the nail on the head.

In a slightly different twist, without religion, there is no consequence for anti-social behavior in the world. The types of behavior that are detrimental to society working smoothly are generally verboten in most of the world's religions. Without the guidelines that religions offer, human nature would take over, and society would not function as well, if at all.

Hammurabi and evolving morals have provided more in the way of laws than religion has.  Religion has just been a continuing institution able to largely keep and propagate these laws, while evolving their own guidelines (most times) at a slower pace than society as a whole.

Just because most religion frowns upon certain types of behavior that are "detrimental to society working smoothly", it does not mean that a lack of religion will lead to a rise in these lifestyles.  Without religion, there still is consequence to anti-social behavior.  People can be without religion and still have morals.  Also, many religions promote types of behavior that are detrimental to "society working smoothly".  Religion is often times just a manifestation of human nature, no more, no less.  I refuse to believe that religion is the glue holding societies together.  I would say that is a huge overstatement.

well it's no secret that I would vote that the world would not be better off without religion.

Seeing as the vote is already 50% higher for those voting the world would be better off, I will not get into my faith about it.

However, without religion, the human race would dwindle down to a shadow of its former self.  Generally, the religious people have more children than the non-religious.  While initially one would think that it would be great that the population would get significantly smaller, within a matter of generations we would not have enough people to perform all of the jobs that need to be done to sustain humanity.

Ultimately, I do not think that religion itself is to blame for a lot of the heat it receives, but for the way certain people interpret it.  I do believe that some religions lead to abuse more than others, for example Islam teaches to convert by the sword...but that's a different debate.

liquidat0r wrote:

• Children and people are not taught: How to behave, what is right and wrong, what to believe, what is expected of them, how to conduct themselves, the importance of manners, history and forgiveness.

Sorry but that is wrong on so many levels. Its crap like that which breeds bad people. Its up to the PARENTS to teach what is right and wrong and its slackers that leave it up to other people that make chavs etc.

Religion is a crutch.  It turns people into sheep and there is usually no turning back.  Thankfully I stopped listening to that crap at 18.  I think the world would be SOOOO much more peaceful, it would be almost unimaginable.  Africa alone would be so different, you would probably not recognize it.

Humans are often a self destructive species. Religion is just an excuse we use to try and justify it.

Such an intolerant statement.

Ajax_the_Great1 wrote:

Such an intolerant statement.

I have yet to see a religion truly practice tolerance.