atheists: can you think of any benefits that a religious world would bring?

Yes, I can think of a handful, you've seen it with sense of community and the ability to organize groups for relief efforts.

There are no benefits to be found if you are comparing a world with religion with a world with none at all. I have two points to make.

1. If everyone in the world was a true believer in this faith or that faith the world would be a far worse place than it is now. Here is why I think this.

Human beings are wired with the us-versus-them mentality and religion encourages that. It's only the presence of Atheists and those people who pretend to be believers (sometimes called hypocrites) who keep a lid on this. With no Atheists and hypocrites we'd be at each others throats all the time.

2. If everyone in the world was a true believer in the same religion the world would be worse off than it is now and in some ways worse than in point #1. Religion promotes wishful thinking and the faithful retard research and the advancement of science. In a world where everyone was a true believer there would be no curiosity, no advancement as everyone lived a blessed life, waiting to die and go to heaven.

Absolutely nothing that can't be achieved otherwise. Congregation? Nope. People have no problems doing that on their own; if churches disappeared, other venues would take precedence. Charity? Again, religious groups dominate that market, because they are very good at the aforementioned congregation, and can therefore marshal group effort toward a goal. But there are plenty of charities that are secular, and as it happens, damn near ALL the major secular charities blow church out of the water with regards to donation percentages.

Acceptance of death? No. It's anecdotal, but I just listened to a guy whose job is to guide people out the door, so to speak, and he noticed that the religious tend to be the most apprehensive about their last few hours/days, as opposed to their non-religious counterparts. Why? I would opine that the fear that death really is the end is in the back of every mind capable of having those thoughts. The religious glory in the belief that they will go on, to the extent that they never have to confront that fear. When it's time to go, I think that fear rears itself, and having never satisfied that question, are stuck wondering if they really have eternity to look forward to. Then there's the standard "What if I haven't been good enough? What if I wasn't saved?" And even the most steadfast believers may end up wondering if oblivion wouldn't be preferable to the eternity they may face.

So no. All the social ills religion attempts to address can be adequately fielded in other ways. Don't get me wrong, there was a time when it was one of the best tools a society had, but that time is quickly passing.

It is the effect of Atheists that the world is experiencing the peace! just imagine the other side of peace though it is visible on other parts which is not affecting yet how it can be? the love is believing of God alone and nothing short, that is why Atheists are still the happy beings in spite of so many negatives.

What benefits?

Look at all the intolerance, hatred, bigotry, homophobia and persecution Christians post on here!

There can only be benefits when Christians learn to stop all that and rediscover how to believe in a loving god and act as if they do!

There can be comfort in delusion. A lot of people are frightened by the prospect of oblivion after death. Religion gives these people the hope that their consciousness will live on.

Religious groups also provide fellowship, charity, education, aid....many religious groups do lots to benefit mankind.

Yes I agree with the sense of community... because everyone's bad behavior, abuse, violence and other atrocities committed in families will be behind closed doors all over again giving everyone else in the neighborhood a false sense of "nice community".

All those lovely haunted faces.

I am an Atheist, but totally see the benefits of being in a religious world because of the sense of community and belonging it can engender in people.

Not really. I think that a secular world can be much better than a religious world.

Yes and being atheist does not exclude myself from reality. When I was homeless I received much help from Christian charities.

I am atheist, I do have strong moral and principle values but lying is not one of them, so yes and I am eternally grateful to them..

Nice looking buildings. Maby if I wasn't half asleep right now I could think of a real answer.