THE new atheists envision a world with no religion​—no suicide bombers, no religious wars, and no televangelists fleecing their flocks. Does that vision appeal to you?

Before answering, ask yourself this, ‘Is there any evidence that universal atheism would lead to a better world?’ Consider: As many as 1.5 million Cambodians died in the Khmer Rouge effort to establish a godless Marxist state. And in the officially atheistic USSR, Joseph Stalin’s rule resulted in tens of millions of deaths. Granted, those evils cannot be directly attributed to atheism. But they do show that the rule of atheism does not ensure peace and harmony.

Few would deny that religion has caused much suffering. But is God at fault? No! He is no more at fault than a car manufacturer would be for an accident caused by a driver using a cell phone. Mankind’s suffering has many causes, one of which is more fundamental than beliefs. The Bible identifies it as inherent imperfection. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) This sinful inclination tends to foster selfishness, undue pride, a desire for moral independence, and violence. (Genesis 8:21) It also causes people to rationalize and to gravitate toward beliefs that excuse wrongdoing. (Romans 1:24-27) Jesus Christ rightly said: “Out of the heart come wicked reasonings, murders, adulteries, fornications, thieveries, false testimonies, blasphemies.”​—Matthew 15:19.

A Vital Distinction

At this point, a distinction must be made between true worship​—that is, worship that is acceptable in God’s eyes—​and false worship. True worship would help people to fight against base inclinations. It would encourage self-sacrificing love, peace, kindness, goodness, mildness, self-control, marital loyalty and fidelity, and respect for others. (Galatians 5:22, 23) False religion, on the other hand, would tend to cater to popular trends​—‘tickling people’s ears,’ as the Bible says—​by condoning some of the bad things Jesus condemned.​—2 Timothy 4:3.

Might atheism contribute to the same moral ambiguity or confusion? ‘No God’ means no accountability to a divine authority, as well as “no objective values which we are obligated to respect,” says law professor Phillip Johnson. Morality thus becomes relative, with each person determining his own standards​—if he chooses to have any. No doubt such thinking makes atheism an appealing philosophy for some people.​—Psalm 14:1.

The fact is, however, that God will not forever tolerate untruth​—atheistic or religious—​and those who promote it. He promises: “The [morally and spiritually] upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it. As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth; and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it.” (Proverbs 2:21, 22) The result will be something that no human, no human philosophy, and no human institution could ever bring about​—universal peace and happiness.​—Isaiah 11:9.

Source : https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/g201011/A-World-Without-Religion-An-Improvement/

DappaD:
THE new atheists envision a world with no religion​—no suicide bombers, no religious wars, and no televangelists fleecing their flocks. Does that vision appeal to you?

The bold exposes your stupidity.

To answer your question objectively, we simply need to identify the merits and demerits of religion, juxtapose the two and ascertain which one is more.
In my assessment, the demerits of religion far outweigh its merits. Hence, an irreligious world would be an improvement.
Essentially, abolishing religion would mean more focus on science. This will invariably help us come up with better solutions to our problems (rather than relying on deities). From the countless good things we are already enjoying from science, more science will ensure a better world!

TruthSeeker1:

To answer your question objectively, we simply need to identify the merits and demerits of religion, juxtapose the two and ascertain which one is more.
In my assessment, the demerits of religion far outweigh its merits. Hence, an irreligious world would be an improvement.
Essentially, abolishing religion would mean more focus on science. This will invariably help us come up with better solutions to our problems (rather than relying on deities). From the countless good things we are already enjoying from science, more science will ensure a better world!

Science and technology change rapidly, but has human nature changed?

Are the following traits common amongst those who do not believe in a God?

“...lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God,...” —2Timothy 3:1-4

“...their females changed the natural use of themselves into one contrary to nature;  likewise also the males left the natural use of the female and became violently inflamed in their lust toward one another, males with males, working what is obscene and receiving in themselves the full penalty, which was due for their error. Just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a disapproved mental state, to do the things not fitting. And they were filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, and badness, being full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice, being whisperers,  backbiters, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, schemers of what is harmful, disobedient to parents,  without understanding, false to agreements, having no natural affection, and merciless...” —Romans 1:26-31


Note I'm not saying that those who claim to know God today are exempt of this practices. Also in the outset of this thread, the article distinguished between true and false religion.

A rotten tree cannot produce fine fruit—Matthew 7:18-20

That principle not only applies to religions but to all things that are based on vain hope—such as the one that science is the only solution to mankind's problems.

In the so-called Socialist countries where atheism is the watchword and also have made significant advancement in science and technology, have the traits stated earlier vanished or only gotten worse?

Religion is also one of the major issues plaguing mankind today. In fact the same Bible explains that a time would come when atheists[those in governmental power] would pounce on all forms of religion and exterminate them. Revelation 17:15-17,18:23-24

BUT that will not solve the issues humans are currently facing because the cause of our problems is rooted deep in we humans and has a lot to do with morality rather than so-called advancements in science.

DappaD:



Science and technology change rapidly, but has human nature changed?

I don't really know what your point is, but science and technology only started changing rapidly in the 20th century.
If by "human nature" you mean human psychology, then I will say it is multifaceted and complicated. I don't know the change you're looking for

Are the following traits common amongst those who do not believe in a God?

“...lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God,...” —2Timothy 3:1-4

“...their females changed the natural use of themselves into one contrary to nature;  likewise also the males left the natural use of the female and became violently inflamed in their lust toward one another, males with males, working what is obscene and receiving in themselves the full penalty, which was due for their error. Just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a disapproved mental state, to do the things not fitting. And they were filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, and badness, being full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice, being whisperers,  backbiters, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, schemers of what is harmful, disobedient to parents,  without understanding, false to agreements, having no natural affection, and merciless...” —Romans 1:26-31


Note I'm not saying that those who claim to know God today are exempt of this practices. Also in the outset of this thread, the article distinguished between true and false religion.

You've answered the question yourself: both religious and irreligious people exhibit all of human characteristics (both good and bad). The distinction you have made between good and bad religion is only your opinion and it's debatable. Also, whatever verse you quote from the Bible is nothing but someone's thought/opinion; it's not necessarily the fact or truth.

A rotten tree cannot produce fine fruit—Matthew 7:18-20

That principle not only applies to religions but to all things that are based on vain hope—such as the one that science is the only solution to mankind's problems.

In the so-called Socialist countries where atheism is the watchword and also have made significant advancement in science and technology, have the traits stated earlier vanished or only gotten worse?

Religion is also one of the major issues plaguing mankind today. In fact the same Bible explains that a time would come when atheists[those in governmental power] would pounce on all forms of religion and exterminate them. Revelation 17:15-17,18:23-24

BUT that will not solve the issues humans are currently facing because the cause of our problems is rooted deep in we humans and has a lot to do with morality rather than so-called advancements in science.

My simple question for you is: between science and religion, which one has solved more human problems? Which one has contributed more to the progress and advancement of the human society?
Religion only gives hope about something that is most probably non-existent. It also makes us depend on imaginary deities to solve our problems for us. On the other hand science gives us the power to solve our own problems!
If we can only combine science with a genuine concern for others well-being (through empathy), almost all our problems will be solved: only the problems caused by natural disasters will remain.

TruthSeeker1:

I don't really know what your point is, but science and technology only started changing rapidly in the 20th century.
If by "human nature" you mean human psychology, the I will say it is multifaceted and complex. I don't know the change you're looking for
You've answered the question yourself: both religious and irreligious people exhibit all of human characteristics (both good and bad). The distinction you have made between good and bad religion is only your opinion and it's debatable.
My simple question for you is: between science and religion, which one has solved more human problems?
Religion only gives hope about something that is most probably non-existent. Science solves actual problems!

It seems you missed the highlight of the original post. True religion[not the countless fakes we see today] produces the following fine qualities which no scientist/atheist can ever dream of having:
“On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control.”—Galatians 5:22-23
You say what's written in the Bible is just someone's opinion, okay, but it's having positive impact on those using it wisely.
You, as an atheist the other hand desire to see all religions abolished so that your own decision based on a scientific view will stand, isn't that so? How are you different from religious folks then?

If we can only combine science with a genuine concern for others well-being (through empathy),

I'm sorry but you lost me there. It's like you still want to introduce religion into the equation.
On the question of morality, you're still saying people in authority should decide how each individual should act, even though it's not against the laws of the land?
If so, it's no more different from the religion you're so intent on abolishing.

...almost all our problems will be solved: only the problems caused by natural disasters will remain.

You seem more noble-minded than other atheists/agnostics I've encountered on NL. At least you were able to offer a substitute instead of wailing and pointing fingers. But like I said, the problems humans are facing cannot be solved in their own, that's just the bitter truth. 6,000years have gone by with different forms of governments and ways of living—even with the advancement of science and technology—yet the basic ills of the society remain hatred[racism/prejudice], crime, robbery, murder just to name a few and science cannot even dream of solving these issues.

TruthSeeker1:


My simple question for you is: between science and religion, which one has solved more human problems? Which one has contributed more to the progress and advancement of the human society?

I'm not anti-Science because modern Science has actually helped address the symptoms of a few issues, but not the root causes.
But we have to be honest with ourselves that's why I say that removing religion completely from the equation will not solve the issues.
The keyword here is true religion not the fake kind that encourages crime, hatred, nepotism etc


On REAL issues concerning racism, hatred, prejudice, war, crime, disunity, class divisions—true religion[using the Bible, which in your opinion claim it's a product of human opinions] has solved ALL of these problems and I'm not even joking.

CodeTemplar:

The bold exposes your stupidity.

E get as e be ooo. Is it not a case of him equally saying as long as religion remain as they are constituted today, they keep fleecing the people and by extension FLEECING the WORLD

DappaD:


I'm not anti-Science because modern Science has actually helped address the symptoms of a few issues, but not the root causes.
But we have to be honest with ourselves that's why I say that removing religion completely from the equation will not solve the issues.
The keyword here is true religion not the fake kind that encourages crime, hatred, nepotism etc


On REAL issues concerning racism, hatred, prejudice, war, crime, disunity, class divisions—true religion[using the Bible, which in your opinion claim it's a product of human opinions] has solved ALL of these problems and I'm not even joking.

But we have to be honest with ourselves that's why I say that removing religion completely from the equation will not solve the issues.


Will removing science completely from the equation solve the issues? After all even in paradise you wait for science, will be carried out their. Correct?

Good points @ OP .

If people follow the tenets and principles contained in the scriptures , The world would be a better place . Take an example the Bibles law that Husband love their wife's and the wife respect her husband. How would a family where this is practiced look like ?

Frankly speaking many laws of the countries including establishment of Police, FBI, etc are to curtain things like Murder, Theft, Fraud , and so on which are equally things true religion Frown against .


If religion is removed, then that means each person get to decide what is good and bad , in short if you got me angry and I decide to kill, it's Cool since my emotions allow it. , If I think blacks are monkeys and inferior to whites, Am right , it's good by me , . A world without religion is like removing the laws of the land . CHAOS.

Religion is not the problem, human selfish greed disobedience is the problem.

Barristter07:
Good points @ OP .

If people follow the tenets and principles contained in the scriptures , The world would be a better place . Take an example the Bibles law that Husband love their wife's and the wife respect her husband. How would a family where this is practiced look like ?

Frankly speaking many laws of the countries including establishment of Police, FBI, etc are to curtain things like Murder, Theft, Fraud , and so on which are equally things true religion Frown against .


If religion is removed, then that means each person get to decide what is good and bad , in short if you got me angry and I decide to kill, it's Cool since my emotions allow it. , If I think blacks are monkeys and inferior to whites, Am right , it's good by me , . A world without religion is like removing the laws of the land . CHAOS.

Religion is not the problem, human selfish greed disobedience is the problem.

Unfortunately that's what some people have refused to understand. They claim science has achieved remarkable feats, okay and fine BUT it cannot address the root causes, just the symptoms.

For example, if someone commits the crime of murder, science has made it possible for the defaulter's fingerprints to be retrieved and used to locate him. When the authorities prosecute and indict him, he goes to prison only to be released back in the society to practice the same atrocities. Who the person truly is at heart didn't change. So it's like an endless cycle if we put all hope in science and not the Bible.

Meanwhile—like you already know—true religion using the Bible has addressed the root cause of what can lead to murder, which is hatred for fellowman and has successfully replaced it with intense love for all sorts of men regardless of language, ethnicity or racial background. [Matthew 5:21-22, John 13:35]
So my wish is that all come to see the real benefits of applying Bible principles in their lives. Isaiah 48:17-18

DappaD:



Science and technology change rapidly, but has human nature changed?

Good question and rhetorically I ask you how has religion changed human nature since its advent?

When comparing SCIENCE to RELIGION most people often tend to be biased with their reasoning!

Let's be liberal on this issue!
SCIENCE
Merits!
The advancement of SCIENCE and technology brought improvement in the way people live today, most things that seems impossible in the past are now made easy, communication, industry, entertainment, fashion and style.

Demerits!
At the same time SCIENCE and technology promotes decadence in morals, helped in the easy manufacturing of destructive devices so that racists and politicians are using science to full, airing of unwholesome entertainment in the media, fraud made easy and our youths are badly influenced by the advancement of SCIENCE and technology on daily basis!

RELIGION
Merits
Religion has helped in maintaining law and order in the human society, many are permissive and tolerant as religion infused hope of afterlife in their brains, regards for the elderly and fear of the afterlife has kept many in check.

Demerits
The extremities in religion has led many into odd lifestyles, many becomes hostile towards none believing neighbours, racists and politicians have taken advantage of the easy influence of religion to perpetrate evil in the human society!

True religion can't be influenced by either politics or racism, adherents of pure worship knows the use of science so it can't have any negative influence on adherents neither can politicians brainwash adherents of true religion or manipulate their thinking!
Whereas anyone can use SCIENCE for any purpose whether good or evil. There is no human society, group or organization that science has made LOVE, JOY and PEACE reign in their midst. But the world have a global family of peace loving worshipers today as a result of true religion!