Religion, would we be better off without it?

Glorious90 · 10-01-2009, 07:39 PM

Would we be better off without religions? On one side, religion gives hope, and something to believe in. On the other side, it is a source of evil, a constant reason for war and conflict. If we did not have religion, we could be living peacefully without most of the wars this world has seen, or is seeing right now. On the other hand, we might be peaceful, but without any real beliefs. So what is your view on this? Would we be better off, or not?

Legendary2 · 10-01-2009, 07:40 PM

Yes we would without a doubt

Becky · 10-01-2009, 07:40 PM

No. Humanity is so fixed on the idea that war solves everything, we'd just find something else to argue about. If someone disagrees with you, shoot them, right?

Glorious90 · 10-01-2009, 07:44 PM

I agree.

I don't believe in christianity, or any other religion at all. I see religion as much believable as a fantasybook, which means that it Lord of the Rings could in fact also be a religion.

If we did not let ourself be convinced into such stupid beliefs, we would be far better off, as it is always going to be a source of conflict. Just look at the war in Israel, it's because of religion. The crusades. Al Quaida uses the Koran as an excuse for terrorist attacks. I respect people who choose to believe, but I do not understand them. How can people let a silly fantasy control so much of their lives?

Legendary2 · 10-01-2009, 07:44 PM

For me if someone disagree's with you shoot them in the leg blindfold them tie them to the back of your truck drag them along a highway and throw them into a river you then wait one minute drag them out cut of one of their arm's turn it into a lovely mince pie and feed it to some starveing orphans then throw the mutilated corpse into a pit of aligators

MechaWolf · 10-01-2009, 07:45 PM

i dont beleive in a religion but it gives people hope and it doesnt cause every conflict...

and.....woah.........

thats a good idea

.....must agree with everything he says....

Scarffo · 10-01-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becky

No. Humanity is so fixed on the idea that war solves everything, we'd just find something else to argue about. If someone disagrees with you, throw some grenades at them, and then launch a nuclear war on their country, right?

I fixed it.

Roo · 10-01-2009, 07:47 PM

I just believe in me. Yoko & me.

John Lennon - God Lyrics

rcdingwall · 10-01-2009, 07:48 PM

i think youll find kings, queens, greed, revenge, and ego have started a lot more wars/conflicts than religion

Aaron · 10-01-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becky

If someone disagrees with you, shoot them, right?

That's how I live my life. Works for me.

Legendary2 · 10-01-2009, 07:48 PM

no offense but i love war.. so i want their to be conflict so if religion causes conflict then id like it to stay

Glorious90 · 10-01-2009, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becky

No. Humanity is so fixed on the idea that war solves everything, we'd just find something else to argue about. If someone disagrees with you, shoot them, right?

Of course we would, but to fight about something as stupid as religion is something we could well be without.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legendary2

For me if someone disagree's with you shoot them in the leg blindfold them tie them to the back of your truck drag them along a highway and throw them into a river you then wait one minute drag them out cut of one of their arm's turn it into a lovely mince pie and feed it to some starveing orphans then throw the mutilated corpse into a pit of aligators

That's a little harsh...

Quote:

Originally Posted by MechaWolf

i dont beleive in a religion but it gives people hope and it doesnt cause every conflict...

Didnt say that. But to let a silly book control your life, and believe in some above power to have a meaning behind everything that happens is stupid in general anyway.

I often get annoyed watching TV, for example sports, and see some American winning an award, and the first he thanks, is God. Why? God didnt do anything, it was his ability, the persons own hard work that paid off. Instead of believing in himself, he thanks God, a guy in some antique writers fantasy for his achievement. Sad really.

Legendary2 · 10-01-2009, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glorious90

Of course we would, but to fight about something as stupid as religion is something we could well be without.

That's a little harsh...

Didnt say that. But to let a silly book control your life, and believe in some above power to have a meaning behind everything that happens is stupid in general anyway.

I often get annoyed watching TV, for example sports, and see some American winning an award, and the first he thanks, is God. Why? God didnt do anything, it was his ability, the persons own hard work that paid off. Instead of believing in himself, he thanks God, a guy in some antique writers fantasy for his achievement. Sad really.

He should not thank god he should thank steroids

Speshal Crayon · 10-01-2009, 07:50 PM

God damn, Legendary. You're just something.

Er... I think we'd be better off without it, yes.

MizVoldemort · 10-01-2009, 07:54 PM

It all depends.

The world would be better off without extremists of any belief system, to be frank.

In my opinion, most wars and disputes that have a major root cause in religion were the result of people who took some sort of extreme. Whether it was the belief that in order to 'save' people, they had to ruthlessly convert, or whether they took whatever source in such a fundamentalist light, that they felt they had to go and cause trouble, or a whole host of other reasons.

If people want to believe in the magic flying spaghetti monster, be my guest. But use force to 'convert' people, or harm others because they dislike spaghetti, and I have a problem.

It's the same with most things in life. There's nothing wrong with a spot of pudding after dinner, but live off mars bars and you're not going to be too healthy. And most negative personality traits are just extreme, or misplaced positive qualities (eg recklessness is some twisted form of courage or bravery).

Roo · 10-01-2009, 07:55 PM

God is a concept,
By which we can measure,
Our pain,
I'll say it again,
God is a concept,
By which we can measure,
Our pain,
I don't believe in magic,
I don't believe in I-ching,
I don't believe in bible,
I don't believe in tarot,
I don't believe in Hitler,
I don't believe in Jesus,
I don't believe in Kennedy,
I don't believe in Buddha,
I don't believe in mantra,
I don't believe in Gita,
I don't believe in yoga,
I don't believe in kings,
I don't believe in Elvis,
I don't believe in Zimmerman,
I don't believe in Beatles,
I just believe in me,
Yoko and me,
And that's reality.
The dream is over,
What can I say?
The dream is over,
Yesterday,
I was dreamweaver,
But now I'm reborn,
I was the walrus,
But now I'm John,
And so dear friends,
You just have to carry on,
The dream is over.

Just in case you can't be bothered clicking the link

Becky · 10-01-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glorious90

Of course we would, but to fight about something as stupid as religion is something we could well be without.

True, but it does give some people hope - and why should we take that away from them?

I'm not at all religious myself - I believe it's a load of rubbish used to explain things we didn't understand before, really - but I recognise that for some people, their religion is important to who they are. It gives them something to look to after life, it gives them reason to be good*, it can provide comfort in hard times, etc.

It doesn't work for me at all, but for some, they see it as necessary.

I don't think we'd be any better as a race if we had never had religion. We'd still fight, we'd still find excuses to blow each other up, we'd still think it's "right" to kill innocent people in another country when something doesn't go our way. I also think that a lot of people who are religious now would be unhappier without their faith to guide them.

*of course, there are those who take it a little too far and use their religion as a way to kill others, claiming "God" told them to... but they'd be bad people without the "faith" anyway.

MechaWolf · 10-01-2009, 07:56 PM

actually...since i now have a gun to my head ive had a change of heart....i beleive in this religion:
http://http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TDcTg1jkZZU

Liam · 10-01-2009, 07:56 PM

Science > Religion.

Glorious90 · 10-01-2009, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roo

God is a concept,
By which we can measure,
Our pain,
I'll say it again,
God is a concept,
By which we can measure,
Our pain,
I don't believe in magic,
I don't believe in I-ching,
I don't believe in bible,
I don't believe in tarot,
I don't believe in Hitler,
I don't believe in Jesus,
I don't believe in Kennedy,
I don't believe in Buddha,
I don't believe in mantra,
I don't believe in Gita,
I don't believe in yoga,
I don't believe in kings,
I don't believe in Elvis,
I don't believe in Zimmerman,
I don't believe in Beatles,
I just believe in me,
Yoko and me,
And that's reality.
The dream is over,
What can I say?
The dream is over,
Yesterday,
I was dreamweaver,
But now I'm reborn,
I was the walrus,
But now I'm John,
And so dear friends,
You just have to carry on,
The dream is over.

Just in case you can't be bothered clicking the link

People should believe more in themselves, and not God or any other shadowy character that some book or person has told them is suppose to be the creator and saviour of everything living.

Roo · 10-01-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glorious90

People should believe more in themselves, and not God or any other shadowy character that some book or person has told them is suppose to be the creator and saviour of everything living.

Agree 1 billion %.

SchnoodlePlayer · 10-01-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MizVoldemort

If people want to believe in the magic flying spaghetti monster, be my guest. But use force to 'convert' people, or harm others because they dislike spaghetti, and I have a problem.

I agree with this. People can believe in whatever they like, it's their choice.

Without religion there would still be problems in the world.

Roo · 10-01-2009, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SchnoodlePlayer

I agree with this. People can believe in whatever they like, it's their choice.

Without religion there would still be problems in the world.

Of course, but at least we wouldn't have to put up with some freak in a dog collar abusing our kids whilst preaching the holy lalalala out of us.

Who voted "No"? I want to slap you. Hard.

Glorious90 · 10-01-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becky

True, but it does give some people hope - and why should we take that away from them?

I'm not at all religious myself - I believe it's a load of rubbish used to explain things we didn't understand before, really - but I recognise that for some people, their religion is important to who they are. It gives them something to look to after life, it gives them reason to be good*, it can provide comfort in hard times, etc.

It doesn't work for me at all, but for some, they see it as necessary.

I don't think we'd be any better as a race if we had never had religion. We'd still fight, we'd still find excuses to blow each other up, we'd still think it's "right" to kill innocent people in another country when something doesn't go our way. I also think that a lot of people who are religious now would be unhappier without their faith to guide them.

*of course, there are those who take it a little too far and use their religion as a way to kill others, claiming "God" told them to... but they'd be bad people without the "faith" anyway.

But can't they have hope without religion? Instead of saying: Please God, save my child from this decease.

They could say: Please doctor, save my child from this decease.

If anyone survives something difficult, it is because they a lucky series of incidents, or because someone (a doctor, a good person, even the person himself) knew what to do in that situation. I saw this show "Worlds most incredible videos" and all these people survived supposedly unsurvivable situations, and they sit there and thank God for being alive, instead of themselves, because they knew what to do, or because the paramedics where at the scene in 1 minute. It sickens me that people tend to turn for religion to explain their life instead of thanking the people that really saved them.

SchnoodlePlayer · 10-01-2009, 08:07 PM

Look at what you're saying.

"Put up with some freak"
Yeah, because the way you're talking is much better. And how exactly is a priest abusing "our kids"?

If you don't want to be preached at, don't go to a church. How often do you really see people preaching in the streets? And how difficult is it to ignore them? Not hard.

Oh, and @ Glorious - If people find comfort in thanking god, then that's their choice.

You're practically preaching that you CAN'T believe in a god. That's just as bad as the other way around y'know.

View Poll Results: Would we be better off without religion?
Yes, religion is a source of conflict	62	47.69%
No, mankind need religions	44	33.85%
Maybe, hard to tell	24	18.46%
Voters: 130. You may not vote on this poll

10-01-2009, 07:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
Glorious90 Banned Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norway, you know, where the Vikings lived Age: 19 Gender: Male Posts: 3,469	Religion, would we be better off without it? Would we be better off without religions? On one side, religion gives hope, and something to believe in. On the other side, it is a source of evil, a constant reason for war and conflict. If we did not have religion, we could be living peacefully without most of the wars this world has seen, or is seeing right now. On the other hand, we might be peaceful, but without any real beliefs. So what is your view on this? Would we be better off, or not?

10-01-2009, 07:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
Legendary2 Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: UK Gender: Male Posts: 822	Yes we would without a doubt __________________ Thank you for the sig nutter!!

10-01-2009, 07:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
Becky EA Veteran Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Birmingham Age: 18 Gender: Female Posts: 30,681	No. Humanity is so fixed on the idea that war solves everything, we'd just find something else to argue about. If someone disagrees with you, shoot them, right? __________________ last.fm twitter

10-01-2009, 07:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
Legendary2 Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: UK Gender: Male Posts: 822	For me if someone disagree's with you shoot them in the leg blindfold them tie them to the back of your truck drag them along a highway and throw them into a river you then wait one minute drag them out cut of one of their arm's turn it into a lovely mince pie and feed it to some starveing orphans then throw the mutilated corpse into a pit of aligators __________________ Thank you for the sig nutter!!

10-01-2009, 07:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
Glorious90 Banned Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norway, you know, where the Vikings lived Age: 19 Gender: Male Posts: 3,469	I agree. I don't believe in christianity, or any other religion at all. I see religion as much believable as a fantasybook, which means that it Lord of the Rings could in fact also be a religion. If we did not let ourself be convinced into such stupid beliefs, we would be far better off, as it is always going to be a source of conflict. Just look at the war in Israel, it's because of religion. The crusades. Al Quaida uses the Koran as an excuse for terrorist attacks. I respect people who choose to believe, but I do not understand them. How can people let a silly fantasy control so much of their lives?

10-01-2009, 07:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
MechaWolf Forum Guru Join Date: May 2008 Location: Outer Haven Age: 15 Gender: Male Posts: 2,066	i dont beleive in a religion but it gives people hope and it doesnt cause every conflict... and.....woah......... thats a good idea.....must agree with everything he says.... __________________ Call me wolf. Last edited by MechaWolf; 10-01-2009 at 07:50 PM..

10-01-2009, 07:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
Roo Forum Junkie Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Extracting sunlight from cucumbers. Gender: Male Posts: 3,386	I just believe in me. Yoko & me. John Lennon - God Lyrics __________________ (\__/) (='.'=) (")_(") Binky free Coco -x-

10-01-2009, 07:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
rcdingwall Banned Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,013	i think youll find kings, queens, greed, revenge, and ego have started a lot more wars/conflicts than religion

10-01-2009, 07:48 PM	#11 (permalink)
Legendary2 Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: UK Gender: Male Posts: 822	no offense but i love war.. so i want their to be conflict so if religion causes conflict then id like it to stay __________________ Thank you for the sig nutter!!

10-01-2009, 07:50 PM	#14 (permalink)
Speshal Crayon Elite Join Date: Feb 2007 Age: 17 Gender: Female Posts: 9,770	God damn, Legendary. You're just something. Er... I think we'd be better off without it, yes.

10-01-2009, 07:54 PM	#15 (permalink)
MizVoldemort Forum Guru Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Wombling it up (but not in Wimbledon) Age: 19 Gender: Female Posts: 1,927 Blog Entries: 2	It all depends. The world would be better off without extremists of any belief system, to be frank. In my opinion, most wars and disputes that have a major root cause in religion were the result of people who took some sort of extreme. Whether it was the belief that in order to 'save' people, they had to ruthlessly convert, or whether they took whatever source in such a fundamentalist light, that they felt they had to go and cause trouble, or a whole host of other reasons. If people want to believe in the magic flying spaghetti monster, be my guest. But use force to 'convert' people, or harm others because they dislike spaghetti, and I have a problem. It's the same with most things in life. There's nothing wrong with a spot of pudding after dinner, but live off mars bars and you're not going to be too healthy. And most negative personality traits are just extreme, or misplaced positive qualities (eg recklessness is some twisted form of courage or bravery). __________________ attempts at art, poetry and prose Geektastic.

10-01-2009, 07:55 PM	#16 (permalink)
Roo Forum Junkie Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Extracting sunlight from cucumbers. Gender: Male Posts: 3,386	God is a concept, By which we can measure, Our pain, I'll say it again, God is a concept, By which we can measure, Our pain, I don't believe in magic, I don't believe in I-ching, I don't believe in bible, I don't believe in tarot, I don't believe in Hitler, I don't believe in Jesus, I don't believe in Kennedy, I don't believe in Buddha, I don't believe in mantra, I don't believe in Gita, I don't believe in yoga, I don't believe in kings, I don't believe in Elvis, I don't believe in Zimmerman, I don't believe in Beatles, I just believe in me, Yoko and me, And that's reality. The dream is over, What can I say? The dream is over, Yesterday, I was dreamweaver, But now I'm reborn, I was the walrus, But now I'm John, And so dear friends, You just have to carry on, The dream is over. Just in case you can't be bothered clicking the link __________________ (\__/) (='.'=) (")_(") Binky free Coco -x-

10-01-2009, 07:56 PM	#18 (permalink)
MechaWolf Forum Guru Join Date: May 2008 Location: Outer Haven Age: 15 Gender: Male Posts: 2,066	actually...since i now have a gun to my head ive had a change of heart....i beleive in this religion: http://http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TDcTg1jkZZU __________________ Call me wolf.

10-01-2009, 07:56 PM	#19 (permalink)
Liam Knows His Games Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 6,861	Science > Religion. __________________ i've got soul but i'm not a soldier

10-01-2009, 08:07 PM	#25 (permalink)
SchnoodlePlayer Elite Join Date: May 2007 Location: Scotland. Age: 16 Posts: 7,484	Look at what you're saying. "Put up with some freak" Yeah, because the way you're talking is much better. And how exactly is a priest abusing "our kids"? If you don't want to be preached at, don't go to a church. How often do you really see people preaching in the streets? And how difficult is it to ignore them? Not hard. Oh, and @ Glorious - If people find comfort in thanking god, then that's their choice. You're practically preaching that you CAN'T believe in a god. That's just as bad as the other way around y'know.