I want you all to think for a moment about this.. If the world as a whole were all nonreligious people, besides the inevitable conflicts over styles of government and the inevitable tyranny of government itself, what wars would there be? If individualism were preserved and "categories" of people did not exist, what could we fight over? Let me also state that this thread isn't an attack on any religion, because if you are tolerant of other beliefs then you are not the "problem" that I am speaking of. So let's look at this from an elitist's point of view who may have the desire to keep the population in line at all times, what better scheme than to have separate religions and obvious intolerances against each one? Answer: there is no better scheme. Religion itself, in my opinion, is an inevitable fallacy caused by the confusion of the questions of the universe, therefore trust, belief, and faith are invested in a "higher being". I have also come to find that the "sheep" instinct of humans when following either a leader or higher power, exhibit intolerances to other practices and beliefs. This all sets the scene for creating groups of people who will always be at war with each other. As bush said, "you are either with us, or against us." what say you?
You would be lost without believing into something, it's like you wouldn't have a clock but that's not why the wars are fought for. Money is the root of all evil, not religion.
On the assumption that the world has no religion and that no thoughts on religions, we will still get similar wars, there would be a lot of idol worshipping as the tyrants thought themselves to be immortal and all powerful. Conflicts between tyrants and their followers will arise and that will lead to similar situation as in the current world. IMHO religion per se is not the cause of the wars and conflicts, it is people hijacking religion for their own personal agenda that gives rise to so much problems.
I consider idol worshiping a religion.. But it's just that, worshiping. That is the inevitable problem humanity is faced with.
The love of money is the root of all evil. If money were the root, you wouldn't have a computer to type unless you worshiped the devil. And i agree, the love of money and power are the root. That is why religion came into existence, was to maintain a class of peasants, so that the upper class can live more lavishly and with constant power uninterrupted.
Take for eg North Korea, it is a communist country, a sure atheist society, but idol worshipping of their leaders are common.
With that I concur, but let me add on worshipping of power even if it is for the good of society (at the beginning) inadvertently leads to corruption as power grows. As the saying goes, absolutely power corrupts absolutely.
So worshipping of power is unacceptable and yet society frowns at weak and powerless people. Maybe we should worship weakness and impotence ! Power is neutral, it's the purpose for which power is utilized that makes all the difference in the world.
It has nothing to do with religion, it is just human nature. People are the same way about their sports teams as they are about religion. I guess after we get rid of religion we can take away sports teams too, as that is another artificial distinction between people.