Do you think the world would be a better place for everyone if religion didn't exist at all? Without religion would people automatically become better? Take a look at the animal world. Would we fare any better?
I think the world will be the same with or without religion. It's just the magnitude of crimes that will matter but still there will be crimes because evil is part of human nature as rooted from greed. Religious people will say that religion can cure the world of the ills but we can see that it is not true. Among the religious people there are still the crimes that we do not expect and even religious leaders commit crimes against people. With no religion, the playing field is even since it is the rule of man that is followed and everyone is on equal footing.
I think the world would be a much better place without religion. Your example of the animal world is a good one: name one species of animals that kills when it doesn't have to? I think there has been reported isolated cases of this with chimpanzees... not sure though. Animals attack other animals for a few reasons: they are carnivores and need to eat (self preservation), they are protecting themselves, their family or their area. (again, self preservation)
answering from god believers, Prophets never born on earth, if God wants to keep world same. Human likes to give excuses and want to do nothing for his next generations, praying to God is easier than walk in fire to save somebody's life.Killing is easier than helping any poor. God became 1 tool of weak people, anything happened, 1 will say, Evil inspired me to do that crime and another, who suffered, he will abuse religion or God. Either keep word God in your dictionary or evil. both words can't stay together. where is light, there is no darkness. for weakness human blames darkness and who suffered, he blames light or holy spirit. If you like light, then always speak about light, positive energy, God. never give place to word 'evil' in your life. once enlightenment start inside you, you will become like a lamp. wherever you will go, people will love you, thank you for showing light to them in their dark world. this is what prophet did. From True atheists, be realistic, there is no god, If you are in any bad situation, try to find way, which can make you proud and that way must bring blessings,fame, praise, love, applaud etc. for you,from society. blessings of human for another human.be proud, I did something for myself which made my life better than before.by helping others, you help yourself. Religion believes in God or not , don't matters. Religion is a path of enlightenment. As a Human, God believer or Atheist both have same rights to walk on path of enlightenment. word Religion will end with death of human. nobody can destroy it. Human stays inside 4 walls with his family and forgets we all humans in 1 world are part of 1 family.denies his responsibility as a global citizen. dreams about heaven, but earth became hell because of irresponsible behavior. so,I believe, world never could be better place without religion,For weak people, Religion is an easy excuse same like god, some humans behave irresponsibly and then they blames religion or God. To push responsibility on religion or god is very easier than do something good for human mankind. selfish attitude. world need more religions, means more path of enlightenment. world need more prophets than followers . depends, how many humans in world show strength to walk on path of enlightenment. In my language, Marathhi, 1 Proverb for irresponsible behavior, 'Asel maza hari, tar deil khatlyavari'. meaning, If there is any god and he loves me, then i will get everything on my bed. I don't need to do anything. If world will remain same, we don't need to do anything then, If human can change his fortune, then why human can't change this world ? why human can't make world better place ? answer, I believe is, Irresponsible behavior.
If you ask everyone that truly hates religion, of course the answer is yes. In my opinion, not much would change because religion is developed by people and therefore is a part of human nature. There will always be some idea that people will flock towards, try to converts others, start battles...
It is hard to imagine a world without religion. I think if we didn't have religion...people would find something to believe in. Lets face it the world can be a scary place, and many people find it next to impossible to live in a world without something to grab onto or believe in. IF all religions were banned or didn't exist...people would be creating them or worshipping in secret. Quite simply, many people seem to need religion. It may as much as the community of believers as the religion itself.
Also a good tv miniseries relating to the subject: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0353104/ It's obviously just a work of fiction but it's great for those interested in these things.
I don't think personal belief in things greater then us are the problem, it's organized religion as a power structure that is the problem. There are pros and cons to religion, but we have come to the point where religion is misused by it's leaders. From Scientology, to Catholicism to Islam, powerful men use these things to further their own agenda. A microcosm of an atheist world would be China. Is life in China better then life in say USA, of course not.
Depends on how big of a view you have. Overall, I think the world is a better place because of religion. But there are so many ´big´ moments where religion seems to be a negative thing. My contention has always been that money is the root of evil, and people who want power often misuse or trick religious people. Like Christianity, the only reason christianity becaome the western religion is because some guy tricked them into fighting for him.
I think it's a short answer of no with a but. Religion in itself I do not think is a problem but it's the people who take it to the extreme that are the problem. I don't have to say what I'm referencing because I think you all get the idea, but the point still stands. If people did not make religious beliefs the catalyst for waging war then there would be no problems.
