MrFrosty

In your opinion, what would a world without religion -- its controls, creeds and philosophies -- actually be like? How would it differ from the present one in terms of development and history? Is there any actual benefit to having religion as opposed to a world free of it? Would, in essence, we be better or worse in that alternate world?

For the record, I have posted a similar question on a non-religious board and the consensus -- from ppl of differing religious affiliations -- was that something else would ultimately fill the role of religion in that new world; this seemingly suggests that it is inherent within human nature to create belief constructs.

I appreciate that the question is ridiculously broad (understatement) so pls share any thoughts you have on the subject.

[Sorry if this question has been posted before, I have only been an IIDF member from last month.]

sullster

I am convinced that humans are essentially irrational and credulous creatures. There is a great need for strange forces to help with all sorts of problems. Consider the eternal interest in magic and the belief of the gambler's fallacy.

You ask what a world without religion would be like? I do not think such a world could come about but if it did, it could possibly be full of raging irrationalisms. A world where every concievable type of belief and mysticism would run out of control.

Religion is a dangerous system and has to be controlled and kept in its place, but its absence would unleash a flood of irrationality which would be impossible to control.

Marduk

In 1,000,000 words or less?

“In your opinion, what would a world without religion -- its controls, creeds and philosophies -- actually be like?”

It could be just like this one since people made up religion for these purposes anyway, or it could be like a totalitarian nightmare like the old USSR, or we could be extinct. It is possible without religious disapproval of promiscuous sex, that in the days before the cause of disease was known, we could have all died of syphilis.
There is also the problem of too much too soon. If science had taken root a few thousand or so years earlier we would have had the eerie spectacle of someone like Caligula with access to nuclear weapons.

“How would it differ from the present one in terms of development and history?”

This is impossible to answer, I’m not even gonna try. The development of religion, morals, politics, civilization go hand in hand, a maturation process that might not be possible to decouple.

“Is there any actual benefit to having religion as opposed to a world free of it?”

That would really depend on what would replace it, seeing how violent and destructive people can be, even with religious notions and the concept of guilt and ultimate punishment.


“Would, in essence, we be better or worse in that alternate world?”

Hard call, it’s difficult to imagine the concept of morality emerging without some sort of mythology/religion, in the past anyway.
It’s possible now to replace religion with some sort of secular humanist thought but I don’t think this would have worked in the past. ‘Might makes right’ was the standard of the times and probably still is. My guess is that the human race will not outgrow a need for religion for quite some time.

Infidelettante

Here in South Alabama:

Every other corner would be vacant. Which would be good or bad for the local realty market I guess but don't know which.

There would be four more channels devoted to sports or 24 hour news.

You couldn't find a "good plumber" in the yellow pages because all the little crosses wouldn't be there.

The politicians would have to run on their records but the GOP would be out of business.

The really good schools wouldn't exist but I'd be saving enough to buy a new truck.

We would have to find another way to blow it out before Lent but the city would save millions not having to clean up after Mardi Gras.

Whoever makes those hats black ladies wear to church would be in the poor house.

We wouldn't know where all the priests were.

We'd have a lottery to steal money from the poor and give it to their kids as text books.

The Saturday "Religion" section of the local paper would be blank and so would the space devoted to the average of five other stories on religion the paper runs every week in other sections none of which mention any religion other than Christianity.

If all the money spent on religion in this town since 1702 had been spent on worth while things this would be one great place to live.

I'd really miss the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

The street preachers downtown would be drunks which makes me smile but not in a good way.

Spring Hill College would be a subdivision and that is a sad thought. However, all the bricks in Barnum and Bailey Baptist out on I-65 [or as some call it "Fort God"] could have been used by Habitat for Humanity. On the other hand without religious people like Jimmy Carter a lot of good would never get done.

I'd have more time to do all the things my wife wants me to do around the house because this damn forum wouldn't exist.

Just a thought or two on the nature of a non-religious home town. How would your's do?

JT

Radorth

Well said JT!

We want you in heaven, so I'm going to have Sabine witness to you.

Rad

Radorth

I think the world would do well without religion as long as you permitted reading the NT and Christian revival, which religious people never help with anyway.

Rad

emotional

If organised religion were to go, personalised mysticism would take its place. The religious experience (of the numinous, of the Totally Other) had been personal before priests took it and monopolised it as organised religion.

Paul2

more boobies on tv.



someone had to say it.

Yellum Notnef

And no more TV commercials for that damn "Songs for Worship" CD!!!!!

Godless Dave

I disagree. I think Jimmy Carter would be doing good with or without religion.