Life, society, human kind, would have ben better off without religion

Nonesense. I see no logic at all in what you are saying. If you read history, you'll see that religion (whether it was true or not) was a motivation in scientific research and the progress of civilizations. Take a look at ancient Greeks and ancient Egyptians. Both were holding tightly to their religion and yet their work is still affecting us till now. Even after christianity, the progress in science was impressive. Isaac Newton (whose laws are now considered as scientific facts) was a Christian. Even during the peak of the Islamic world, many scientist contributed to science that we still use today. For example, the Algebra that is used in all universities arround the world is due to the works of the Muslim scientis "Al Khawarizmy" (the word Algorithm is derived from his name). So there is no point at all in saying that athiests have higher IQ. I know many university graduates who are still religious. Even in the USA , there are scientist who believe in God and are religious too. You said that religion divides (which is true only in the case of extremmists), but athiesm fails totally in adressing the moral issues too. So, since religion was not an obstacle for science before, then why consider ir now?

You just cannot say that, in my opinion, for a number of reasons. First Religion kept knowledge in the dark ages, where not the monasteries and monks copying books, many more would be lost. Second, while it is true that many times religion used its power to hinder scientific advance, like we or not, religion is one of the things that shaped western society for good and evil. Without religion it is impossible to tell if United States of America would be bigger, smaller or exact the same they are today, and the same goes to South America, Central America and every other country in the world. Much of the morality of the world was and is influenced by religion. For example, there are people that looked to understand the world inspired by a desire to understand god's work. How can we say what would be the world if there was never a christ? We could still have slaves, or not. It is such a huge amount of variables to understand that it is plainly impossible to say it for sure. Religion does a lot of bad things ? In my opinion, yes. We would be better if more people stopped being religious? In my opinion, yes. The world would be better if there was never a religion? I can't say yes or no. Just to make it clear : I am an atheist, and that does not mean that I hate religion and want to see it extinct, what will be of religion is a matter beyond my hands, in my opinion everyone must decide for himself and cannot impose its views on other people.

I am not against religion but I also do not favor non-believers. I hate extremists of any kind. I think hate or love evrything has to be in moderation. If you are extremist thinker that will make you rigid and you will not allow progress of any kind. I think even those who are religious shopuld be liberal; and make science and religion two seprate things with common agenda s betterment of human kind. My point simply is humanity should be upmost and then everything else should follow.

l tend to disagree l think wihtout religion civilisation would have been 100 times more behind.l used to have the same views before l had my eyes opened.Christianity l believe hs a lot to offer to this troubled world.Tried read the bibleand see what GOD has for you and the world.Read the BIBLE and see all the prophesies made manifesting before you.Give JESUS CHRIST yourn life and let be changed for the better and for ever

Do you realise what you have just done?? You put everybody who actually do believe in God in the category : stupid. Faith is not a sign of lack of knowledge. I think that if u have faith, u have moral principles that can help you guide ur life. Do you honestly think that the 10 commandments are wrong, and that if you kill, cheat, lie society is going to benefit from these and evolve? And another thing. The real problem is the fact that people do not respect others' religion. People must believe in something or someone. It has been proven that a superior power does exist. The fact that this world that we live on exists, is a proof that a better one exists(or somebody more evolved created it).

Well if there was no religion, people would start wondering and eventually create one.

you have a point but its human nature to fear and revere what we are afraid of or dont understand.

I really doubt it. Without religion to guide us, we would presumebly be more evil, more violent, more warlike. We would be like animals tearing at each others throat. Many people would die and there would be little peace on earth. Look, for example, the natives who have no religion - they hunted, they kill each other and they are like savage beasts. Such places like Africa and Papua New Guinea are filled with such tribes until recently and maybe still do. Without religion, the world would not be civilized. Man needs God to fill the void in him. Man needs God because God make man so. Remember, God make Adam and Eve to be companions to God.

Well, let's see, most technological advances are first made by the military during or perparing for war. War is a conflict between two peoples of differing goals and ideals. Many of these goals and ideals are based on religion. So, you could actually say that without religion, there would be less war and therefore we would be far LESS technologically advanced.

I disagree. Just because we'd be more scientifically advanced does NOT mean we'd be better off as human beings. Religion as a rule teaches a certain set of morals..and having hearts is what makes us human..science doesn't exactly support the belief of the soul..since it prefers to focus solely on the physical. And what about religious scientists?? The first scientists EVER were religious..so how could they be more stupid than the people that believed in nothing and weren't even inventing anything at the time? A few statistics alone prove nada. Once again, I believe you're being too general. The world contains waay more than a billion people. A billion people's not even one country..we've countries up the wazoo and you can't generalize people. If you do you get a very narrow, fractured view of people..and it's incomplete. You have to look at all the factors, the variables, the religions, the lifetyles..peoples' backgrounds..and then you'll get a better idea of the big picture. Unity would be nice, but people will always disagree..whether we have religion or not. Religion when viewed by a decent human being is a wonderful thing. We COULD be united in how different we all but until then..we'll never be able to be truly united. Conformity's stupid..that's blindly following something..which is never good. But then again if we're all noncomformists e'll STILL probably never accept eachother. Until humanity reaches a state where we're all accepting and wise the world will never know a whole lot of peace..it's just the way it is.

ok. where do we let science and religion meet? one thing has to have a creator for it to be created. no person can be better off with his inner self. religion is something that gives you that feeling that somewhere out there beyond man's reach is a light that would actually give us eternal life. we are obviously in a worldly environment where we only believe what we see. no one has ever been with God even if the bible tells so that he really existed or oftentimes man have proofs that He did exixt but, no one seems to bother. as for me i cant live without my religion...my God.

all the religion in the world preach the same thing: THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD. but often people fail to understand this underlying thought. its not important to be religious. but its necessary to be spiritual to keep balance between body, mind and soul. we can be spiritual without being religious. rather spirituality is what we need in this age of terrorism to bring peace and harmony in world!

I think you are being a bit narrow minded. I feel that people turn to religion because they are scared about the unknown and want to believe that there is something controlling our lives because it is scary to take total responsibility for ourselves. I do think that religion causes a lot of problems but if it wasn't there I think there would be something else to replace it. I don't think people like the uncertainty so have to believe in something.

well saying that "if religion was not there......."..is like saying that "if i had a genie i would be the richest man of the world"...we can not take it like that....these are the facts we have to face them and make our way out.if leaders had gathered people in name of religion for wars we can gather them for good cause in name of religion

To some extent I do agree. So many wars and other atrocities would have been avoided. There wouldn't be tension between religious groups and there would be no ongoing debate about which religion was the true one. But on the other hand, if no one believed in an afterlife would we be as well behaved? And religion fills a void in many people's lives so what would people in general be like without that added dimension?

i agree to you..........

First of all, religious people are not uneducated. To make such a generalization is clearly absurd. This is just like saying all Americans are fat, lazy pigs, which is certainly untrue as well. Both my wife and myself hold Bachelor's degrees. I obtained my Finance degree with a 4.0 and on the Dean's list and my wife with her degree in Nursing finished somewhere in the range of 3.9. She is a RN now, and I work as an independent broker. I grew up a Catholic, went to Catholic schools, and my mother was a teacher in a Catholic school. I shunned religion when I went to college, as you stated some do, and I believe this is true. I believe this because it is the first time many can be out on there own and start to discover what the world has beyond their parent's home. This is a good thing, as we all need to think for ourselves. I came back to religion, mainly Christianity, about two years ago and I wouldn't change a thing. I can accept the fact that there might not be a God, but my personal belief is that there is a God who loves us and wants us to live truly good lives. Religion does split us up way too much. It is because of extremists who are doing this. This is the same as saying all Muslims are terroists, which is a truly absurd comment as well. True religious people are kind, caring, and loving, and they do not fight in the name of God, but they spread love in the name of God. If all people who claim they are a certain religion actually lived the way they believed in, the world would not be the way it is. It is sad that religion causes a ton of wars, as it is not meant to do that at all. I think the world needs to have religion, but more people need to take the religion as it was meant to be taught and not just interpret it their own way for their own personal gain. I respect your opinion and beliefs as an atheist, as you choose to believe there is no God. That is fine with me, and I am sure you are a great person. I just believe in God and live my life according to the teachings of Jesus, which is to love your neighbor as you would love yourself. I love this teaching and I live my life in these words. Take care.

Great post. I do agree with you. I'm a firm believer in God, but I don't belong to any sectarian or organized religion. I feel that God can only be truly undestood if one abandons all sectarian belief systems. What are religions any more than different interpretations of someones understanding of a revealed scripture? What are religions any more than a tool to gain power over masses of people, to make money, to manipulate and intimidate? We need to both open our hearts and eyes, and use our brains, you know...think...(what a concept, huh?)

I know this is a rather simplified answer to your complicated question, but I think even if there was no religion, humans over history, would have simply used some other excuse to make war, take each others land/property, and control one another.

I completly agree. When someone shows me proof that religion is real, maybe i'll be convinced. Ever since Galileo, religion has been impeding human progress.