Would The World Be Better Off Without Religion?
An interesting debate asking the question: Would The World Be Better Off Without Religion?
It's not about whether God exists or not, it's about the man-made creation...Religion.
Below are a few point, the link provides audio from the debate.
For No Religion
- Throughout history, religious strife has been at the center of many wars and the underlying cause of uncountable deaths and casualties.
- The Bible's view of what constitutes a good person is at odds with the modern Western view of what constitutes a good person. It is possible to feel such emotions as empathy, sympathy, and love without holding religious views.
- Blind religious faith leads even intelligent people to deny key scientific principles, for example, opposition to the theory of evolution.
- Tithes and other religious donations would be better spent directly aiding the lives of the poor, hungry and sick.
Against No Religion
- Religion is a vital instrument in the promotion of stability— locally, nationally and globally—and its various churches and organizations facilitate countless acts of charity. It provides a moral compass and a purpose to those who may otherwise lead unproductive, aimless, and perhaps destructive lives.
- Religion is a concept that is part of human nature, and that a world without religion would be one without such fruits of human creativity as Venice, the Taj Mahal and King’s College Chapel, Cambridge.
- While atheism preaches certainty and disrespect of religions, religion preaches uncertainty and tolerance. It is certainty and conviction–not religion–that produced events such as the Crusades, and movements such as fascism, and Jewish, Christian, and Islamic fundamentalism.
- Religion provides "why" answers – the reason why things happen and what life is for – while science can only provide causal explanations.