What would the world be like without religion?

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   mariexotoniposted 12 years ago

   I am an atheist surrounded by family and friends who practice Christianity.
   
   A lot of atheists say that the world would be a better place without religion.. I can understand why they say that. But, for some people- I feel like they need religion for their own sanity/happiness. It has been around for so long that it has to be beneficial.. right?- or else, why would people keep it? Or is it something people psychologically can't shake because they've been around it so much- simply because it's part of their culture and therefore makes up who they are?
   
   Maybe my question should be, if people could live without religion, would the world be a better place? Or would humanity be worse off?
   
   I have no idea what to think.. =/ mind is boggled

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      Castlepalomaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The World would be better off without predominant Religion power running most things.

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         Paul Wingertposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         The situation is when these sheeple gather every Sunday to get their weekly dose of BS from some of these poorly educated, control-freak pastures that preach everything but love thy neighbor, peace, and tolerence. These pature/control freaks know the technique of keeping their flock in line. Lie to the flock over and over and eventually they will believe anything that is told to them without question. Throwing in a few threats of going to hell seems to help. With this brainwashing, it starts to effect other people who have half a brain.

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      DoubleScorpionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Nothing wrong with religion...As long as it is kept only in the church and/or your own home.

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         Randy Godwinposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         But this does away with the "persecution complex."  This is the driving force for many to actually believe they are "spreading the good word" correctly. 
         
         It is important for many to convince others THEY are right about certain religious beliefs. 
         
                                                

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            DoubleScorpionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Sadly, this is all to true....

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      schoolgirlforrealposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      you can't live without religion because if humans always wanted it, they always will.

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      FF Commishposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I believe that we often blame (or credit) religion when it's not due.  Religion is not inherently good or bad, moral or immoral.  It is how we as people take in and apply religious teachings, laws and ideologies that impacts the world.  We tend to suggest that religion is bad (or good) when we should really be discussing how we as people apply religious principles and/or choose to live without them.

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         ledefensetechposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Exactly. What most people who engage in these conversations don't understand is that people, individuals are who were important. It is an individual who either lives according to their suppose it believes or does not. To sit there and judge an entire group of people by the actions of one or two people is insane.  Especially when you have people who claim to be one thing but by their actions prove they are not.

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      Jo_Goldsmith11posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I have a BELIEF in something greater than ME. I don't consider it a *RELIGION*. For me, it is a way of life. It is the mindset on how I treat others. There are many "religions*. Which one are you referring too?

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         Jo_Goldsmith11posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         @ diyomarpandan,
         
         I was raised in the *Chatholic religion* and stopped when the Priests started to molest children.. *Baptist Religion*, I couldn't dance at the prom.
         The *Pentacostal Religion* I couldn't wear jeans or make up and was forced to sit through folks talking out of their minds in some made up language.  Then the thought of *going to a church with the people sitting in the pews thinking about everything but what the preacher is saying. Collecting money to *fatten their wallets*, while they *judge* you for not waring the 2 thousand dollar Rolex watch the wife gave as a gift.
         
         My BELIEF is "to do unto others, as I would want done unto me". Pray for those that hurt me. Not give an ounce of mental energy to those who wish to defy me by their random opinions. To love completly and live an honorable life.

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      klarawieckposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Awww... the world would be full of hissing little snakes.. SSSSSS...SSShooo...

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         Randy Godwinposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Careful, Witch Hazel!  Now you're getting personal!
         
         
                                                        

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            diyomarpandanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Deleted
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               Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               It's not a signature. There's no way to put a signature on HubPages forums.
               
               Just because he puts the same mark/photo at the end of all his posts doesn't make it a signature. It's not the same thing.

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                  diyomarpandanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Deleted
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                     Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     See it as a personal trademark more than a signature. To put a signature would require specific program of HubPages Forums, which apparently has been deemed unnecessary by the engineers.
                     
                     Which would led me to understand that signature links are harmful more than helpful, which is why they excluded them.

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               Randy Godwinposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Thanks for the warning, Diyo.  But believe me, I converse with staff frequently and we've had a few words concerning my snake motif before.  Of course, they may tell me not to use it if they so choose because they can.
               
               Actually, using such a colorful motif makes it really easy to scan a forum page and find my own previous posts and those quoting me. Just glace back though a thread I've posted on and see what I mean. 
               
                                                                        

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      FatFreddysCatposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I don't know what the world would be like without religion, but the HubPages forums would certainly be quieter...

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      Elizabeth Dorssomposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I think the world would be better without religion. I love to refer to the song "Imagine" by John Lennon. "Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try...no hell below us, above us only sky. Imagine all the people living life in peace." Obviously the rest of the song can be quoted in this instance as well, so if you are unfamiliar with the lyrics feel free to look them up online. Anyways, essentially Lennon states that if there was no heaven or hell, then everyone could live life in peace. Many of the wars we have fought were due to religious differences. So someone believes different than us, who cares? Just leave them alone and maybe they would leave us alone!!
      One does not need religion to be a good person and to learn morality. Check out the Secular Humanist movement. There are thousands, maybe even more, people who do not believe in God and are still good people. Religion only teaches hate, in fact I was bullied by many Christian kids in school. Religion teaches that women are inferior to men and that homosexuals cannot get married. So much for teaching morality? The bible also says you can stone your wife and sell your daughters into slavery. Religion causes too much harm and I refuse be part of a institution that advocates for so much hate.

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   jadesmgposted 12 years ago

   Religion is a predominant feature of the whole human race really, you'd find it difficult to find any society in human history which has existed and thrived without religion.
   Many claim it to be the foundation of wars and such but really thats politics, religion can be quite adaptable. Generally religion is there with the purpose of providing a moral structure and giving people a reason to follow it's behavioural guidelines. Generally religion focuses on being kind to people and generour and charitable.
   Its never religion in itself which has caused problems, it's people using religion to meet their own ends.
   I dont claim religion to be perfect, especially as it does seem to be very strictly unalterable to conform to new ideas and new opinions within the society which it exists, for example gay rights are a heavy issue, as is often womens rights.
   But despite this religion in itself is not the cause, people can alter religion and place new emphases on parts of it and stuff...
   Not sure, not religious myself. But would definetly not say that religion in itself is to balme, it is much more complex than that and it is a little arrogant, if not plain lazy, to write off problems in the world as a result of people's beliefs. (although I agree they are not perfect).

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   paradigmsearchposted 12 years ago

   "What would the world be like without religion?"
   
   It would be the best of times... It would be the worst of times...

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      Randy Godwinposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      No Jehovah Witnesses or Mormons knocking on the door?  Sounds good to me! 
      
                                         

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         diyomarpandanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Deleted
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            Randy Godwinposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Both are of the same drawing Ewbie did for me. I just changed the contrast a bit. 
            
            
                                                 

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   mr williamsposted 12 years ago

   No war causing debates because no one would be aligned to oppose other beliefs. It would be "civilization"

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   jacharlessposted 12 years ago

   Quiet...so quiet we could hear the wind. No equationism/sensationalism {because both are religion itself, unified and religion divided}. Ah, the thought of peace and quiet...

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      Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Without religion would be without life as well. Life IS a religion.
      
      Without any form of religion whatsoever, James would be right. It would be quiet, it would be so quiet only the animals kingdom would hear anything or everything.

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         jacharlessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Nice, huh? Kickin` it under a shady tree, listening to the real world. I like it.

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            Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            Okay, just to let you know, I think you misunderstood the post that you stripped out that little sentence you snipped from my post. Which is why your comment was so funny. After which, I did a facepalm(both hands).

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   Bard of Elyposted 12 years ago

   Personally I think it would be a far saner world. I believe in God and spirit but not in religions and their dogma.

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      Castlepalomaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Do you think there is a spiritual age slowly coming?

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   SpanStarposted 12 years ago

   Think of it this way-What would the world be like would outlaw?

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      Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Huh?

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   ledefensetechposted 12 years ago

   It might sound like a good idea except for several reasons.  One religion is a subset of philosophy which is a subset of human knowledge.  Any time you try to limit human knowledge, bad things happen.  Religion specifically asks the question "Is there anything more than us, and if who what is it?".  It also asks the question "What is the best way to live with one another?".  Humanity is in trouble if we ever stop asking those questions. 
   
   Second, a belief in atheism is not necessarily an indicator that you will treat people in a just and humane manner.  Atheists like to bring up religious wars and things like the Burning Times as reasons to despise religion, while at the same time ignoring the atrocities committed by atheists; namely things like the Gulag Archipelago, Holocaust and mass starvation of the Holdomor and Killing Fields.  All of this was due to the supposedly "scientific" methodology of Communism. 
   
   Third, believers tend to think that there is something bigger than themselves and more likely than not they will be judged for their actions at the end of their life.  While it's entirely possible that you have believers who are arrogant enough to think that what they believe and not how they act is all that matters; in reality most believers moderate their behavior due to their belief in judgement.  This tends to carry over into interpersonal relationships and gives believers an incentive to act in a just manner.  Atheists, I've found, have a much harder time not only stating what they believe, but also difficulty describing why what they believe to be correct.

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      Castlepalomaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      First, ledefensetech
      Ancient Religious people feared God, Satan and hard question like Dinosaurs, gays, sex, or about other Gods and the huge list goes on. Many of my hard question are answered with -”You got to have faith”
      What a hassle to get a straight answer.
      
      Second
      The 3% of Atheist of this world today, will never come close to compared with the 5000 years of Religious war history, one after another and imprison so many people. Germany was a religious country and Hitler was born and died a Catholic , The Nazi (not communist Nazis) killed 20 million Russians , not to mention Jews, gays and etc... in the name of God, “God is with US” and don't get me started about the concept Hell.
      
      Third
      I'm not an Atheist, and the third statement is meaningless .

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         ledefensetechposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         First, you're incorrect.  Prior to the Enlightenment and the adoption of reason by the West, people ascribed natural events like lightning, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc. to either spirits, gods or God; depending on the time and place you're looking at.  Heck there are some places where they still do that today. I'd like to think that we're come a long way since the 18th century.  You might have gotten the "You have to have faith" answer from many people, but many people are intellectually lazy.
         
         Two, even a cursory examination of military history will show that most wars are fought over territory and the ability to extort money from the population, not religion.  Religion only comes into war when you try to use propaganda on your population to fight your "enemy", or when the religion in question begins acting like a temporal ruler and not a spiritual one.  Hitler may have been born a Christian but that didn't stop him from trying to stamp out Christianity in Germany and replace it with a psuedo-Nordic religion. 
         
         https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_ … nder_Sorge
         
         The Communists meanwhile were as atheist as the come.  The GULAG system alone killed about 1.6 million people.  That doesn't even look at the mass starvation of the Ukraine and Russia in 1920, or the purges Stalin put the country through.  Even that's only a drop in the bucket compared to the death toll in China.  Between their version of the GULAG, the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, tens of millions more died. 
         
         Given the fact that prior to 1830 we had less than a billion people on the planet, I find it hard to believe that religious wars (which were far less common than you seem to believe) killed more than the insanity that occurred in the last century.
         
         You really need to question the assumption you're working under.  I don't think you know what you think you know.

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            Castlepalomaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            View the whole history mankind, about 100 billion people have lived and died on this planet earth. How much history has been recorded about Atheist and how do you compare 3% atheist population of today compared to 85-90% religion population of today?, At no time in History have Atheist out numbered the Religious population or come close,
            
            I dare you -to go up to an atheist face to face and tell them or each one of them that they are 30 time more deadlier or likely to kill someone than you are. They may beat your brains into the ground by words but highly unlikely by physical force

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               Castlepalomaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Did the church forgot to cancel Hitler's Catholic membership?
               
               Hitler clearly stated his aim was to stamp out Gays, Jews and Atheist.Then why would Hitler stamp out Christian Germans who went along with his idea?

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               ledefensetechposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               I do, all the time.  The problem with atheism is that there is no real way to say what is right and what is wrong.  Try it.  Ask them.  Like it or not morality, right and wrong, is transmitted through religion.  That's its function in human society.  Sometimes it's done right and sometimes it's done wrong, but that is how it's done.  Show me another way to transmit morality from generation to generation.
               
               diyo, it's not strength , many people hold beliefs that differ from their parents.  Just ask any rebellious teen how much in common they have with their parents.

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                  Castlepalomaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  People in general know from what is right from wrong, that is why we have a consensus that works out rules and laws. Too many nonsense laws from ancient time, do not apply to our higher consciousnesses level of today. So in order that predominate religious countries  make most wars and prisons than any other groups. So Religious people who are in authority kill more people than the criminal do, Then even after all that most Religious people believe most people will go to hell to be punished (torture for eternity) far worst than the sin or crime they committed, fine all loving God you got there.
                  
                  Atheist per ca-pita commit less crimes than Christian do in American of persons convicted into jails. Only look at predominate Christian  Americas for example for war and prison records compared to the rest of the world. No wonder they think there is Sodom and Gomorrah second coming is near, self prophecy

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                  Randy Godwinposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                    So you are saying there's no way to differentiate between right and wrong without religion?  Some religions believed in sacrificing other humans during religious rites, while others can decide if a man may have multiple wives or take children as wives,
                  
                  Dancing may be considered a sin as well as having one's photo taken.  All sorts of religious beliefs are silly and you saying morality would be missing without superstitious beliefs is completely laughable.
                  
                  Without having basic rules to maintain peace in tribal situations early man could not have lived in groups at all without constant strife among it's people.  All ancient cultures had the same rules as in the 10 commandments without needing an old book to tell them what was right or wrong. 
                  
                  Religion is merely superstition for those not capable of accepting reality on its own. Thunder, lightning, wind along with many other natural events were once thought to be caused by some god or another.  Do you still believe they are messages of displeasure by some invisible being? 
                  
                                                             

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                     Castlepalomaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     Randy
                     
                     I don't know about All ancient cultures had the same rules as in the 10 commandments without needing an old book to tell them what was right or wrong. 
                     
                     For example
                     
                     Rules and laws like must take the off day on Sunday (or was that Saturday) OR the law where "there will be no other God before me" and a few other commandments bending people into their kind of band of slavery and who is the same as Muslim, axial of evil?

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                        Randy Godwinposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                        I understand your point, CP.  As I stated, the "basic" laws of "Thou shalt not steal" and "Thou shalt not kill" among others are in most ancient tribal rules.  Actually, the 10 commandments are a bit redundant as some cover others in the list.  Those you mention are simply offshoots of the particular cult using religion as a basis for keeping peace in the tribe or community.
                        
                        Many of the ancient cults had similar rules particular to their favored gods.
                        
                                                                           

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   Emile Rposted 12 years ago

   Without religion, we would have a few less words in the dictionary. Other than that, history would have seen about the same level of conflict and discord. Unless, anyone has evidence that there is something unique in religion itself that causes humans to show evidence of greed, selfishness,  violence and a general disregard for the needs of others. I think, we'll always find a way to justify putting our wants before the needs of others. Religion has simply been used as a weapon in a limitless arsenal.

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    jadesmgposted 12 years ago

    Also an athiest but I do not believe the world would be better without religion, it is an integral part of most human societies and is the primary source of our cultural practices and rituals. It seems to be the sorce of variation amongst different places an societies in the world. All seem to generally promote kindness to others, at least those others in their own society, and religion as a whole seems a great source of comfort and behavioural codes of conduct for many. The problem lies in it being forced upon people and it being completly unadaptable. Yet, this inabilty to adapt does seem to depend on society, Christianty seems sexist and homophobic (in that the texts are old and support the ideas of the time) yet in today's society the bible is not used to support sexism nearly to the degree it is used to support homophobia. So religion is merely a reflection and a support for society. Nothing inherently wrong with it, the problems lie in how it is used by some.

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    movielardatadareposted 12 years ago

    I personally believe that the world is a better place with religion.  I must say that religion does help to keep me sane and happy.  I believe that religion is beneficial for me.  I've been around religion my entire life.  If people could live without religion, I believe the world would be in much worse condition than it already is.  I believe that humanity would be worse off if there were no religion.  John Lennon had it totally wrong.

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       Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you for the hearty laugh.
       
       
       Is self responsibility a religion?

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          movielardatadareposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          cagsil, I don't personally believe self responsibility is a religion.  I know that my atheist friends don't have any type of religion.  Yet they are still self responsible people.  Someone else might disagree with me, but I don't feel that being self responsible is a religion.  I view self responsibility more as a necessary duty.

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    SpanStarposted 12 years ago

    The further we go back in human history the less we see Christian teachings. Do Christian believers make mistakes? Can Christian believers get things wrong of course they can they are only human. These times periods However gives us an opportunity to look at life that is more pagan than Christian. There were Egyptian kings, pharaohs and rulers such as emperors for the Roman Empire so would we classify these time periods as good times since for the most part they were devoid of Christians?

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    gconeyhidenposted 9 years ago

    The fact is all mass religions are born out of ,not so much God inspired thoughts, but the brainwashing of young children.  Organized religions CANNOT get beyond this simple fact.   Organized religions are weighted down by so much historical ugly barbaric garbage, they pretend rather the stuff didn't happen.  In order to be an enlightened human being nowadays, you must really read loads of history. I'm not talking mythical Bible stories, they will get you just so far. Many Religions just aren't in the business of telling anyone the truth. Never were.  its about power and control.

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    mtariqsattarposted 9 years ago

    A life without religion is shallow and hollow, and this world without religion would be far worse than it is. I know some percentage of humanity has lot against religion, especially of Islam. But it is not the point of discussion here, but it is vital to find out how would human execute this life without possessing a higher ideal.
    
    I can not imagine a life without God, He is my creator, and it for Him that I have come into this world and it is Him, who has destined as to when am I going to die. Furthermore, having of religion into my life satiates intellectual curiosity that I have had, rather continue to do so. I am sure, every human being at some point in life is faced with the question:" why am I here for, and what is my true purpose of this life"?
    
    Man is such a creature, that if he is not fearful of God, in other words, if he knew  that there is no God, and every thing has come in to being by an accident. This world would be not a nice place to live, perhaps, such a scenario would paint the picture of Hobbesian  famous 'State of Nature'.Blessings!

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    Trichakraposted 8 years ago

    I can't imagine world without religion.

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    Castlepalomaposted 8 years ago

    Imagine no greed or war.
    
    Then imagine no religion, poof!!! Problem of povery, over population and pollution solved.

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       Live to Learnposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       LOL. Have you forgotten politics?

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          Castlepalomaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

          imagine if they stopped electing Christians,  Poof!!!! wars stopped and all who are in poverty are taken care of, SPECIFICALLY Middle Eastern dead children.

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             wildernessposted 8 years agoin reply to this

             Really?  Not electing Christians will stop the Muslim sect wars that began before American existed?!?  It would have prevented Hitler from invading Poland?  Christians politicians caused Japanese entry into WWII?
             
             Somehow I don't think so.

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                Castlepalomaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                It would not stop war completely, yet would slow it down a hell of a lot, like 90% as predominantly religious countries are at war now.
                
                Hitler was born and died a Catholic
                Stalin was training to be a priest until after he got elected.
                Mao and Stalin suppress Religion yet could not stop it.

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                   Live to Learnposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                   Your opinion always flies in the face of what I would consider reasonable. Is it your opinion that had Mao and Stalin been able to stamp out religion their societies would have been beneficial to their citizens?

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                      Castlepalomaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                      I actually think when Religion started out, it was healthy for the people with their set of rules, so they don't mate with camel's or turtles in the desert.
                      
                      Religion has been the ultimate in hierarchy systems which followed by military and politics to reinforce it. I say abolish hierarchy all together as collective consciousness is far more efficient and always has been the true leader all throughout human history. Hierarchy greed empires always must be destroyed. Then greater collective consciousness of the people alway changes the abuse for a healthier and happier system.
                      
                      The godless leaders really have not had much history compared to religion the last 5000 years. Art, civilization, and culture existed long before religion arrived and nobody got threaten to be thrown into hell forever . Most people will find spiritual sidedness rather than Religion as their next guilds to a better ways of thinking.

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             Live to Learnposted 8 years agoin reply to this

             Hm. You are still forgetting those who aren't elected. Such as Stalin, Mao, etc.

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