Would society be better off without Religion?

Originally posted by Blakemore
good intentions don’t have to be based on ancient religious bs. The scientists i listed even rejected religion in their later years. Even jimmy carter, who won on the platform of being a devout Christian rejects religion now, mostly due to how the republicans exploited that angle in the 80s.

Religion is like Democracy. Its not perfect, but it beats the alternatives.

When it works, it instills a senee of social cohesion and personal ethics. When it doesn't work, it results in purges and witch hunts.

But here is the thing: Secular societies do all the bad stuff anyways. Ethnic cleansings happen all the time, without religions input.

My question to the radical atheists, is what is your proposed alternative to the net positive aspects? What keeps people honest?

Pretty much nothing, as far as I can see. Everyone today is a selfish ******* who only cares about making money, or asking other people for help (And while I support social welfare programs and such of the left, there is virtually nothing in modern day politics about personal growth. Everything is how to build a better mouse trap, in terms of how government is run, and nothing is said to the personal morality and ethics, such as stealing from individuals or stealing from an entire country or world economy)

Originally posted by cdtm
Religion is like Democracy. Its not perfect, but it beats the alternatives.

When it works, it instills a senee of social cohesion and personal ethics. When it doesn't work, it results in purges and witch hunts.

But here is the thing: Secular societies do all the bad stuff anyways. Ethnic cleansings happen all the time, without religions input.

My question to the radical atheists, is what is your proposed alternative to the net positive aspects? What keeps people honest?

Pretty much nothing, as far as I can see. Everyone today is a selfish ******* who only cares about making money, or asking other people for help (And while I support social welfare programs and such of the left, there is virtually nothing in modern day politics about personal growth. Everything is how to build a better mouse trap, in terms of how government is run, and nothing is said to the personal morality and ethics, such as stealing from individuals or stealing from an entire country or world economy)

Originally posted by Old Man Whirly!
I'm going to agree and disagree. Religious societies and people can and do bad things. Non religious people and society can do bad things. Both can do good things too.

Yes, I agree.

I just wish there was an answer to moral decay in the greater societies.

Of course religion never prevented it either, this is well documented. But at least they had a plan.

The non religious alternatives seem have a more hands off approach, where everybody lives according to their personal code. Which hasn't worked out so great, as many simply don't have any.

In fact, it almost seems like people who ARE willing to self sacrifice for a greater good as kind of looked down on as fools. Risking loss of job, freedom, or even your life simply isn't as respectable as being clever or ruthless enough to earn so much money and fame you become a god among people.

Originally posted by Old Man Whirly!
for people who have nothing, no education or money and live hand to mouth, something they can understand, that provides a framework of safety including for instance how not to catch diseases from both wiping your ass and eating with your hands is probably quite special.

👆

Youre clearly a well travelled man whose seen different perspectives in the world.

I will add Even if youre not poor though, Religion has helped me to be grateful when things arent going well. But also not to get too arrogant when they are.

So on a personal level it certainly does a lot of good for people Imo.

Politics is something else though. Start with eliminating corruption first, and then we can see the difference between Religious and Non-Religious institutions.

Either way though humanity can advance.

Originally posted by cdtm
Religion is like Democracy. Its not perfect, but it beats the alternatives.

When it works, it instills a senee of social cohesion and personal ethics. When it doesn't work, it results in purges and witch hunts.

But here is the thing: Secular societies do all the bad stuff anyways. Ethnic cleansings happen all the time, without religions input.

My question to the radical atheists, is what is your proposed alternative to the net positive aspects? What keeps people honest?

Pretty much nothing, as far as I can see. Everyone today is a selfish ******* who only cares about making money, or asking other people for help (And while I support social welfare programs and such of the left, there is virtually nothing in modern day politics about personal growth. Everything is how to build a better mouse trap, in terms of how government is run, and nothing is said to the personal morality and ethics, such as stealing from individuals or stealing from an entire country or world economy)

Originally posted by Darth Thor
👆

Youre clearly a well travelled man whose seen different perspectives in the world.

I will add Even if youre not poor though, Religion has helped me to be grateful when things arent going well. But also not to get too arrogant when they are.

So on a personal level it certainly does a lot of good for people Imo.

Politics is something else though. Start with eliminating corruption first, and then we can see the difference between Religious and Non-Religious institutions.

Either way though humanity can advance.

Originally posted by Blakemore
”my country is the world, and my religion is to do good” - Thomas Paine

I’m a religious person, but I accept and acknowledge the fact that it’s not for everyone.

Remember folks. Apparently religious people need their religion so as to not go around raping and killing everyone they meet because they think that without their imaginary absolute moral authority no one would be able to control themselves.

Originally posted by jaden_2.0
Remember folks. Apparently religious people need their religion so as to not go around raping and killing everyone they meet because they think that without their imaginary absolute moral authority no one would be able to control themselves.

Originally posted by jaden_2.0
Remember folks. Apparently religious people need their religion so as to not go around raping and killing everyone they meet because they think that without their imaginary absolute moral authority no one would be able to control themselves.

I know youre being sarcastic but just so were all clear, literally no one religious believes that.

And hate to point out the obvious but some people who consider themselves religious still do those things.

Society would be better off without microsoft.

And maybe Dell. Nothing can be this bad by accident.

Originally posted by Old Man Whirly!
many religions are tools for poor people with very little coping with a lot of bad most people in the first world are insulated from. Buddhism and Christianity particularly are about coping with life's lot. The are efficient too.

Religions often prey on these disenfranchised individuals too, which is why all of the large international religious charities preach heavily to the people they see suffering, with wonderful concepts like "God made this happen, but if you believe maybe it won't always be like this".

Hope is important, but so is integrity.

Originally posted by jaden_2.0
Remember folks. Apparently religious people need their religion so as to not go around raping and killing everyone they meet because they think that without their imaginary absolute moral authority no one would be able to control themselves.

lol'd.

Originally posted by Darth Thor
I know youre being sarcastic but just so were all clear, literally no one religious believes that.

And hate to point out the obvious but some people who consider themselves religious still do those things.

Except that a great number of religious people do think that morality can only come from God.

Originally posted by Stealth Moose
Religions often prey on these disenfranchised individuals too, which is why all of the large international religious charities preach heavily to the people they see suffering, with wonderful concepts like "God made this happen, but if you believe maybe it won't always be like this".

Hope is important, but so is integrity.

lol'd.

Originally posted by jaden_2.0
Remember folks. Apparently religious people need their religion so as to not go around raping and killing everyone they meet because they think that without their imaginary absolute moral authority no one would be able to control themselves.

Originally posted by Blakemore
”theyre poor, they’re frightened, they’re demoralized, so they do what they’re told and hope for the best” - Tony Benn

Originally posted by Old Man Whirly!
I had the pleasure of meeting Benn, yes I know of his hypocrisy but he was still a very good man.

Originally posted by jaden_2.0
Except that a great number of religious people do think that morality can only come from God.

This is true.

Just go online and you can find countless articles and videos saying this.