Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

BigmanPigman

(51,585 posts)
Tue May 15, 2018, 04:06 PM May 2018

Would there have been as many wars if

there was never any religion on the planet? I am sure greed and the need for shelter and food would have caused a lot of death and destruction, but if you removed religion as a factor that influences humans, would there have been fewer battles?

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Would there have been as many wars if (Original Post) BigmanPigman May 2018 OP
Oh I don't think anyone is naive enough to say there would be no wars. trotsky May 2018 #1
I don't know sister. Glamrock May 2018 #2
Which leads me to question whether or not BigmanPigman May 2018 #3
Oh that? Pfffff! Glamrock May 2018 #4
If not religion, there would have been some "we good, they bad" rurallib May 2018 #5
It would have been harder to persuade people to kill each other. Buzz cook Jul 2018 #6
No, there would be less. Major issue... Duppers Aug 2018 #7
Probably less RussBLib Aug 2018 #8

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
1. Oh I don't think anyone is naive enough to say there would be no wars.
Tue May 15, 2018, 04:42 PM
May 2018

But it sure does take away one of the best recruiting tools there ever was. "Do this for your king/emperor/country and you'll go to heaven."

Glamrock

(11,795 posts)
2. I don't know sister.
Tue May 15, 2018, 06:20 PM
May 2018

Definately a thought provoking question. But my faith, or lack there of, in our species leads me to believe that had there been no religion, we'd kill each other over stripes vs. plaid tartans. Or Tomayto vs tomato. Man doesn't need much of an excuse to kill man.

Glamrock

(11,795 posts)
4. Oh that? Pfffff!
Tue May 15, 2018, 06:36 PM
May 2018

Fuck yes there'd be less wars with less testosterone. No question. I'm a super even keeled, laid back dude. But even I've had to check myself when I felt it rise.

rurallib

(62,407 posts)
5. If not religion, there would have been some "we good, they bad"
Tue May 15, 2018, 09:16 PM
May 2018

split among humans. Would there have been as many wars? Who knows.
Would they have been as brutal if they were not for the glory of some deity? Who knows.

Buzz cook

(2,471 posts)
6. It would have been harder to persuade people to kill each other.
Sat Jul 28, 2018, 11:44 PM
Jul 2018

"I want you and your sons to fight and die so I can control more land", isn't going to get as many followers.

Duppers

(28,120 posts)
7. No, there would be less. Major issue...
Thu Aug 23, 2018, 09:00 PM
Aug 2018

Take the point of bravely facing death, of sacrificing one's life, then
take away the belief of an afterlife and even being awarded for their cause. Who then would be as willing to end their lives?

RussBLib

(9,006 posts)
8. Probably less
Thu Aug 23, 2018, 09:56 PM
Aug 2018

But ignorance runs in many streams and I'm sure other conflicts would have arisen. Getting rid of testosterone would really reduce conflict, but hey, just give us more estrogen instead.

Getting rid of religion today seems pretty far-fetched, considering the depth of Muslim faith and the grip it has on many countries. Such a tragic joke on humanity.

Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»Atheists & Agnostics»Would there have been as ...