I bet most ppl here will say we'd be happier, healthier, and more rational-minded. But I doubt we would.
Permalink | Report

The world would be a safer place, not necessarily smarter but atleast safer
Permalink | Report

In the recent times, there would not have this many suicide bombings all over the world. More women can enjoy the Sun on their face and wind blowing their hair.
Many women would have aborted the child, they were not ready to have. There would not have businesses catering for each religious groups. The temples, churches and mosques would be making less money. Most of the religious based terrorism might have gone.
More people might be thinking about global warming. Instead of religiously biased decisions, people might make decisions based on what is better for the environment.
Source(s):
Previous knowledge from books, newspapers, magazines and TV

Permalink | Report

This is an interesting question. But some faiths, such as Buddhism, actually call for relying on one's own experience. Take what's taught and see if it works for you.

Also, there's the story of the doubting Thomas in the Bible. All the other apostles took Jesus at his word and Thomas questioned everything. The other apostles were angry about this but Jesus told him to continue doubting.

Faith doesn't cause most of the harm in this world, blind faith does. And when a religion gets old enough, the actual text that it is based on, is no longer entirely relevant and a group mentality takes over.

Religious beliefs and faith are entirely different. Religious beliefs are beliefs that say, I don't care what evidence you show me to prove otherwise, I know this to be true or right. And some of them may actually be true.

Faith is the knowledge of being taken care of. Without faith, we couldn't do anything, religious or atheist.
Permalink | Report

well i think alot of people do that already,alot of people dont believe in god,im not one of them but somethings i think even god cant help.
Permalink | Report

Our decisions will be 100% rational. We will be like robots. Our world will be like a robot's world.
Permalink | Report

Very interesting question....I myself am Agnostic so I don't necessarily live off of religious views or beliefs...Now I'm not quite sure what kind of important issues you're refering to but in my opinion, for me at one point atleast when I was in my early teens I was struggling with myself, and as many teens now days seem to get into the self harm phase. I got out of it by going to Church and surrounding myself with positive. But I only needed it for that point in my life...I know for others when they are stuck in that situation or in a drug related, alcoholism or even once they get into rehab, religion, for many, seems to be needed. Gives those who have lost years of their lives, hope. So that might become a worse area and relapse rates may become higher....

Now for other decisions such as laws or who falls where on the social ladder, then honestly I think that laws may struggle a bit but the social ladder would be a lot different, I think people would be more excepted in their core state. I know the city I'm in is horrid. If you're not a christian then you're crap on someones shoe. Which is wrong.

Good question though, definetly made me think. :)
Permalink | Report

For this to work there would almost have to be no religion. Religion is often ingrained at a very early age and does effect your personal views whether you realize it or not.

So amending that to be if religion didn't exist what would happen to our decisions?

Nothing.

We created religion. They were just feelings and beliefs that someone made up and many others agreed with removing religion won't remove the beliefs, opinions and feelings of a human being.

To actually affect the decision process the question would have to be, What would happen if human beings made decisions solely on facts and information?

In which case, the world would be colder and more logical but safer and more efficient. ....*hums away*....Downgrading to machines...
Permalink | Report

An amalgamation of good and bad; specifically free thinking, though. Many of us, like myself have very strong moral values and ethics, even though we don't adhere to any religion (I'm essentially an atheist).

Now based on that alone, feel that scripture bastardizes our ability to judge every situation as if comes. Maybe some people should die, some suffer, some be rewarded greater than others. Also, a great many atrocities have been carried out in the name of religion; the Crusades, Spanish Inquisition, the MANY cases of needless bloodshed in the Middle East-the list goes on.

Okay, but in short, it really would be more free will. I know people that treat every situation the same way, based on faith. That's wrong, and that's not just an opinion-- Different people live different lives, have different customs.

The world absent scripture and religion would ALSO; potentially be a very barbaric existence. Many people, especially in pre-history (so to speak) and early BC really lacked specific moral code. That's what scripture is to me- a handbook on how to not be an ***hole, but be a better person.

This is but one man's take on a very pointed question, the first I'm answering here.
Source(s):
My opinion only.

Permalink | Report

If we took responsibility for our own decisions, the world would be a better place for a number of reasons.

It would strengthen peoples' moral compasses - people make good choices when they base a decision on their own, unbiased, feelings of what the right thing to do is. Perhaps this is because they then feel somewhat responsible for the consequences, but they can lose touch with these feelings if they just follow set rules.

Most religions stem from the fact that we all have this natural moral compass, instincts of right and wrong, and over time people have tried to organize these natural instincts into beliefs, so that the right decision can always be made. The problem is that ideas lose their original meanings and as time passes they also become unquestionable. Then people are making decisions without even thinking about right or wrong.

I have nothing against religion, I just have no time for religious people who can't question their own beliefs - after all, questioning beliefs is how their religion started.
Permalink | Report

Stupidity is not faith based.

This alone means that people will still make stupid choices. We would still have wars, we would still have the atrocities you see every day in the news. But it will be worse.

People making decisions based on their faiths and beliefs, can influence things in a good way, just as easily in a bad way.

Ask yourself this.

Do you want the mindless sheep of the world to exercise free will? Or do you want them to at least be led by somebody smart enough to abuse the power? Do you want that guy who needs gas money to think of his brother man first? Or do you want him thinking that he has a baseball bat in the trunk?

And well, I really have to address the Atheist issue. There are stupid atheists too. For every bible thumping moron of every faith, there is an equal number of faithless idiots. And for every genius who believes only in themselves and the tangible, there is a Preacher, Deacon, or Rabbi with an equal brainpan. The only true ignorance in that issue, is refusing to allow the other side to be equal.
Permalink | Report

I was a devout Christian and now I am agnostic I feel so much better. Without religion we can make better decision based on our logic and humanity.
Permalink | Report

If we didn't have religions or faiths in our background to influence our decisions I believe that we would have our "inner voice" which some call our conscience.
Their is something inside each human being, I believe that is aware of many things and somehow our emotions, intellect and even our religion has no power over.
Permalink | Report