would the world be a better place if there was only one religion or better still no religion at all?

This is an answer which I replied to a question which went “with so many belief systems in the world, what makes you so sure that your belief is the right one?” I think it partly answers your question too:

“Most people feel their belief system is the most correct one because they were brought up to think that way. many factors act upon them to stick to their belief throughout their lifetime…the society they grow up in, age old but still dominant traditions, family and friends, the religious they adhere to and the ministers of the institution themselves… actually, if every new-born were made to grow up in an isolated place where there is no God, no Church, no Temple, no Mosque- in short, where religion does not exist, no one would be cutting each other’s throat on account of their religion. Religions and belief systems exist because people cause them to exist.

Actually, there is nothing wrong with the religions themselves. It is just the people who interpret them to suit whatever crackpot philosophy they have. There is little wrong in looking at a certain philosophy and saying, “hey! I believe that could do some good in the world”. But most people don’t do that. They don’t even reconsider if what they believe in is worth believing in at all. They simply grow into a belief. That’s why ethnic cleansing occurs- because you don’t have the brains to question your belief the way you are questioning others’.

I don’t have a religion. I don’t have allegiance to any particular ‘god’ either. My belief system is- believing in doing as much good as I can and giving other people the space to have their own beliefs. What makes me so sure this is the right one? Well, any belief system that strives to make the world a happier place should be right.”

Yes, I feel that the world would have been better off without religions…though I suppose many will call me pessimistic and ignorant of all the good that religions have brought into the world. What about atheists then? They don’t have any religion and still many of them are essentially good human beings. To do good because you are scared of punishment or because you think you will be rewarded is worse.

If you mean that there is only one religion and 'everybody agrees with its teachings', then yes. If there is no religion however, people will still come up with their own theories of how best to run the world--resulting into conflict.

If there is one religion and not everyone follows it (others being disbelievers, atheists etc.), then there will still be problems. This is because the friction will be between those who believe and those who don't.

Lets not forget that those who don't believe in religion are also susceptible to tribal feelings that also result into conflict. The 20th century has been the bloodiest century in history--partly because of the weaponry; but the 'most' damage--not all--was done for reasons that are not related to religion--like the two wars. In those events--with high death counts--that religion was a factor however, the religionists weren't the aggressors. Take communist Russia for example.

There will be those who object to the 20th century being extremely bloody, by explaining that it seems like that because of advanced documentation techniques that developed in the 20th century; but that's not the point I'm making. The important thing in relation to your question is: Who fought them? I am not making the claim that wars weren't fought from a religious angle--some devastating ones were, but simply showing that non-religionists can also be confrontational.

The way to have absolute peace is by having one religion that dictates what to think--which 'might' prevent catastrophic differences from arising; though I can't be absolutely sure considering that there has never been an empirical example of such an environment. Confounding variables disrupting peace might appear out of very unexpected sources. It just seems like a more plausible--from a purely logical point-of-view--formula for peace than no religion whatsoever.

Unfortunately, studies show that we are programmed to respond to Group societies and thats one of the reasons why there will always be conflicts in the world- quite simply, we need to be enemies with some people so that we can be friends with others.

In terms of religion, no. One religion is not better than any other religion, and ignore any religious zealots who tell you that, because after all, where is their argument? Quoting from different religious texts is completely insignificant: it is like debating whether the sky is pink or red-its obviously absolute nonsense, as everyone knows, the sky is blue.

No, I don't think it would be. If there was only one religion, the world would be much less interesting. It would not stop fighting, either. Just look at how different Christian or Muslim sects fight with each other! Even with no religion people will find plenty to argue about, they manage to do so already if you look.

(Also, not all religions believe they're the only one true way to God, or even the best way.)

Look at it this way religon has also done a lot of good to the world.

there are a lot of people who were sinners going to clubs fornicating not caring about their boddies, drinking, wasting their lives smokeing and living miserable lives, then they found God!!!!!!!!

Being a religous person has always changed a person for the best!!!

God told people to be chaste not cheat on one another, and share welth with the poor.

If it wasn't for religon a lot of rich greedy people wouldnt give money to poor people, but for Gods sake they be generous.

Can u see where I'm comeing from?

But I do get your point! about the arguments it causes between the different faiths, and it also causes some people to become arrogant.

The solution to this problem is for everyone to live and let live, muslims and christians should privatly worship in their own churches or mosques, if an outsider would like to join there faith then they should welcome them but without imposing their ideas on other people.

Religous people should also give advice to others and try to be helpfull without being forcefull.

good advice I mean like if they see people arguing they should remind them to speak kindly and not be the cause or arguments!

Religous people really need to have a good character more than anything, its because some religous people have a bad attitude that is what is putting others off religon.

peace everyone, lets all learn to live and let live.

No and yes.

Having only one religion would tend to result in a global theocracy that would probably restrict people's freedoms and tend to make everything more like 1984 or Atlas Shrugged. Having no religion, on the other hand, would remove the problems caused by irrational and/or conflicting religious ideas and allow people in general to reach a higher level of mental development.

Yes, I know that sounds kind of 'black and white', so to speak, but that's only really because society has gotten us used to being accepting towards religion. If you replace 'religion' with 'belief in unicorns' or 'belief in Harry Potter', the reasoning behind my answer might become more clear.

We would still be fighting wars but would be more honest about the real reason for the fighting ie, resources rather than using religion as a blame all scape goat!

At least we wouldn't have to put up with bible bashers and johovahs witnesses coming to our doors at the most inconvenient times though!

this is such as asking might the worldwide be a extra proper place if forex became in no way invented. there's no person straight forward answer, faith has fostered and the two hampered progression by using the centuries. religions has been a savior of a few persons and the dying of others. faith has been used and abused. might the worldwide be extra proper? I doubt it. it would be diverse - specific... yet extra proper??? Nah! without or with faith human nature is the comparable - and we would have discovered yet differently to screw issues up.

Yes, but there is bound to be some people that will want to fight for their own belief system within that one world religion. Also, if all weapons were gotten rid of because of the world being one, then future problems may well arise.

Get rid of all religion and just watch that crime rate fall, loads of crimes are caused by stupid religious beliefs and I just don't think religion should have any place in this world, especially when there's not a single shred of proof to prove a god even exists.