If everyone was atheist...

[Spreadbury]

would there be less conflict? Operating on the definition that an atheist is "One who disbelieves or denies the existence of God or gods," could such a lack of religious belief benefit the world through less conflict (in religious matters)

Also, do people believe it would work another way; for example, if everyone was Catholic? In considering the second point, keep in mind that within a single religion, there can be many different interpretations of a single deity; one could view 'God' as an omnipotent force guiding Earth's goings-on while another may just view 'God' as a representation of what is 'good'.

Anyone care to discuss?

[stonecold]

In my opinion people will find anything and everything to fight over so no.  Whilst religion would be gone, many people would remain passionate about moral values which they personally believe in and upholding these is still likely to lead to conflict.

[vexx]

clearly there would be less conflict without religion, it has been the cause of so many wars and fights between people in general...
i'd be happy to have a fight with a religious person (not particularly online) any day because i'm extremely against religion, but if everyone was not religious i would avoid any of these fights in the future.

[Spreadbury]

Whilst religion would be gone, many people would remain passionate about moral values which they personally believe in and upholding these is still likely to lead to conflict.

From other debates i've come across on VCEnotes, some individuals here have demonstrated that they draw their morals directly from their religion, and while it may be a generalisation (and thus unreliable), i'm sure many people in the wider community would do so as well.

[boysenberry]

In my opinion people will find anything and everything to fight over so no.  Whilst religion would be gone, many people would remain passionate about moral values which they personally believe in and upholding these is still likely to lead to conflict.

Yes, I agree. If there were no religions people would just find other reasons to fight each other. It's human nature really. It's in our DNA!
Religion is really just an excuse for violence exhibited in society it is not the cause.
Violence will continue to be prevalent in the future to come whether or not there is religion or law enforcement (which is really just a physical/psychological deterrence and not the solution). Maybe in the future we'd be able to genetically modify humans to get rid of all their undesired traits (both physically and emotionally i.e. their brutal personality). I believe this is the only solution to human brutality.

[Mao]

Wars without religion... Remember communism?

[stonecold]

Whilst religion would be gone, many people would remain passionate about moral values which they personally believe in and upholding these is still likely to lead to conflict.

From other debates i've come across on VCEnotes, some individuals here have demonstrated that they draw their morals directly from their religion, and while it may be a generalisation (and thus unreliable), i'm sure many people in the wider community would do so as well.

Whilst I understand this  (was actually waiting for you to point it out haha) I base my morals purely off what I personally believe is appropriate and what is not appropriate rather than the rules I am supposed to uphold as a Christian.

And there is also politics which I know is often attached to religion, but I still believe political disagreements over things such as land and resources will lead to conflict.

[/0]

I think the most crucial thing to ending violence is education. In the future, the most important things education needs to teach (aside from maths&english) are history and philosophy (esp. ethics). Learning history prevents us from repeating mistakes, and philosophy teaches us how to think and live a meaningful life. The study of religions should also be a major part of these courses - not just one religion, but all religions as a whole.

So if everyone were atheistic that would be progress, but I think religion is merely a primitive philosophy, and what we really need to do is get people thinking more about philosophy in general. There are many ways to be ignorant.


Also, if everyone were catholic, then conflict would be inevitable and eventually catholicism would splinter into many sub-religions. Eventually some new prophet will come along and start a new religion, and we will have come full circle.

[QuantumJG]

To a theist:

"I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours."

I love this quote.

If we tried to restrict everyone to one religion this would happen.

Also, if everyone were catholic, then conflict would be inevitable and eventually catholicism would splinter into many sub-religions. Eventually some new prophet will come along and start a new religion, and we will have come full circle.

Yay another religious debate is going to start. It's funny because everyone knows my views and EVERYONE knows yitzi and chavi will be in this.

[binders]

I think the most crucial thing to ending violence is education. In the future, the most important things education needs to teach (aside from maths&english) are history and philosophy (esp. ethics). Learning history prevents us from repeating mistakes, and philosophy teaches us how to think and live a meaningful life.

presumably Alexander the Great learned ethics and philosophy from Aristotle, as well as the (military) mistakes of the past. didn't stop him going to war though

[Cianyx]

Definitely

[Russ]

Less conflict? Yes.
Will it happen? No.
Should it happen? No.

[Spreadbury]

If we tried to restrict everyone to one religion this would happen.

Assuming it's forced. If everyone was voluntarily and atheist and a... disbeliever (can't really say 'believer' about atheism can I? haha) would you still see the outcome being that?

[QuantumJG]

Well if everyone was an athiest then the need for religion would cease to exist. The fact is that this scenario is pretty much not going to happen. Vegans would love everyone to stop eating meat but as if that will happen (I don't want to stop eating meat).

Athiests are disbelievers not believers in atheism.

[vexx]

Less conflict? Yes.
Will it happen? No.
Should it happen? No.

Why should less conflict happen?

BUt yes obviously it will never happen, there will always be some religion if not other cults, groups, gangs of differing beliefs and the like - what stonecold said, but i am confident there would be far far less conflict anyways.