If the time that humans spend concentrating, dedicating, working and organizing religious events and adopting and acting in religious environments would be spent in trying to solve real problems that are causing pain and suffering all over the world, putting "hands on" the real world, I think that maybe yes, the world would be better place. Once bigotry and fanaticism are wiped out form our planet, a more civilized, tolerating society may emerge to the benefit of every human being everywhere.

I can only speak for myself, but as a Christian I would have to say my world would not be better off without religion. I spent many years without religion, and I was lost. Now I am found!! My life has a greater meaning, it is full and truly blessed. In His service, <:))))<>< "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21

I'd say all things considered, Religion does much more harm to the greater number of people than it does Good... Going about as far back as we really can with any degree of accuracy, the Egyptian Pharoahs used the religion to gain power, oppressing the masses, many wars were no doubt fought in regards to it as well. Also there's the the Norse Gods, Odin, etc... We know pretty well that they were responsible for a great deal of bloodshed as well... I'm not as sure about the Greek & Roman God's doing so much harm, but I'm not especially educated on them, I just know that they really began the types of society we live in today, based off reason, etc *Until* they officially converted to Christianity ;) Then we have the rise of the Papacy and the beginning of what is so appropriately dubbed "The Dark Ages" (They weren't called this because there wasn't much light...) ^ Moving onto the Middle Ages and the Crusades, the Inquisitions, and the Monarchies of Europe (All supported by the idea that the King/Queen's were chosen by God) Then you have the Renaissance, which was the Spanish Inquisition, as well as the Protestant Reformation, which has up until only a few years ago been a continuing source of Bloodshed (Ireland more recently for example)... The Industrial revolution saw a huge decrease in the power of Religion though, and "Oh Snap!" we have increased the standards of living in many areas of the world 100's of times over for a greater population of people than has ever been possible before, we have discovered such vast amounts of knowledge in the last 200 years that the entire planet has been colonised and changed completely, etc (You hopefully understand the differences between modern standards of living & 10th century standards of living...) Alas, more recently we have the Islamic Extremist movements, the Christian Fundamentalist movements, etc trying to bring Western Humanity back to it's 10th century knees... : / ^ Christian Fundamentalists actually cause a great deal more death and suffering than Islamic Extremists have 'ever'. The damage caused by Christian Fundamentalism is rarely direct, and even less often is it especially violent, but by no means is it less deadly. ^ For example, the current AIDS epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa has taken around 60 million lives, and CHRISTIAN preachers are saying that contraception is a Hell-worthy offence. They are ACTIVELY stopping the ONLY method really possible to stop AIDS in Africa eventually. Then you have the whole Stem-Cell debate; did you know that the 'already aborted' foetuses being used for this research are only made up of around 100 cells, and if this is considered concious life (despite there being no brain at all?), then it is important to keep in mind that the brain of a household fly is around 100'000 cells, just to put it into perspective... Sam Harris put it so well, when he said words to this effect: If a 'potential' human being is worthy of the same legal rights as a living human being, then given the advances in modern medicine, when you scratch your nose you are committing a holocaust of 'potential' human beings... Honestly, the embryos being used are SO SMALL, that you may as well say that sperm are all potential human beings, and given that only one really does anything in the end, it's murderous to have sex, but perhaps one potential human less murderous than to 'not' have sex... It's an idiotic argument, with no basis in reality, only a basis in 1st and 8th century religious texts... ***** These examples are just off the top of my head too : / There are countless more if you or I did our research ; ) So Ultimately I'd have to say -Y-E-S- the world would be a better place without Religion. Almost every single atrocity committed in "Western" history has been Religiously motivated, and I'm sure there have been quite a few in other ares of the world too, 'just that I am not very well educated in Asian history, etc.

neither better nor worse. Religion has been the reason for many wonderful things as well as many horrendous things..by getting rid of religion you would also get rid of both.

Yes.

The world as a whole would be better, but... It's part of human nature to quest for something to believe in, many people take the easy way out by leaning on pre-established religions, so without religion, you would have many people left without anything to live for or keep them going. A lot of those people would end up better off, by finding other things to believe in, but many others would be very unhappy. So even though the world as a whole may be a better place without religion, without holy wars, without fanatacism, I doubt if it's within human limitations to function and live without *Something* to have faith in.

I definitely think without it. For centuries religion has been the reason for war and murder. People kill people in the name of "God." I don't think organized religion will ever make the world a better place.

There will always be people with false beliefs. This is not dangerous in & of itself. However, when people don't accept others because they believe different things, and they try to change others, that is not good. So many wars have surfaced over religion. So many dead. So much money spent trying to convert people. So much has been justified in the name of "god." I don't subscribe to the notion of organized religion. However, I take comfort in the cycles of nature, which some might see as a surrogate of sorts. I've seen so many religious hypocrites over the years, and I'm sick of people trying to convert me to their belief systems. I think the world would be a better place if we transitioned to a spiritual society, rather than a religious one. In a spiritual society, people would work on self development, and in living in harmony with nature & others. There wouldn't be any unproven stories or all powerful leaders or gods to worship. I think the world is gradually moving in this direction. People can only ignore science for so long. Also, the internet is helping to open our minds to a new way of living.

the greatest massicres of all time were in the name of religion. I think without those we would be better off.

Would the world 'be' without Religion?

As much as I may not agree with many 'organized' religiond it has been a beneficial part of millions of lives. It provides a moral framework for it's followers and it fills a need for faith and spirituality in many.

hhhmmmm....then what would we debate on? Politics?

maybe, but there would be something there to take it's place. (organized) religion isn't the cause of ALL of the worlds issues. it definitely causes a great chunk, though. these days (actually, it has always has been this way) it seems like most people use religion as a weapon. it gives them a good reason to hate and spread violence. the bible is used as an excuse for their bigotry. but those people are only religious in the sense that it's just a title for them.....they have no actual spiritual connection with *anything*. they aren't even connected to themselves. they (actually i should say SOME) take things out of context so that they fit their own personal views, they go to church and read scriptures-like robots. some don't even get an actual understanding nor do they care to-their mission is clear: show up in church, give tithes, *buy* place in heaven. meanwhile-they turn around and treat people like dirt -and that's putting it mildly. and some are even willing to kill to prove how "loyal" they are. all they care about is securing their "spot in heaven". and that's just dangerous.you don't need religion to be moral. the world would definitely be a better place if there was less/no religion **and a lot more spirituality**. ps- this has NOTHING to do with those who don't do these things^^, it's not an attack on god or any one religion...it's just my observation of the bad.

Well the world already has religions and look at how shitty a place it is lol. Religions just encourage ignorance and stops progressive thinking

Religion yes, Jesus, no.

The would be better with religion otherwise the hell will right here on this planet.

what a stupid question,without ofcourse

Religion is a tool for getting large numbers of people to behave in particular ways. This includes things such as giving to charity, turning the other cheek, trying to keep a lid on adultery and in general thinking of other people and not just oneself. . It's also handy for getting people to kill other people BUT, generally the initial reason for the killing isn't religious but something more temporal and practical such as gaining territory or money.