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Syrian conflict sparked a thought, would we the human race still fight and kill each other if no religion existed?

Nevadarich 4 Apr 14
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The world has always had some type of war ,war is usually over resources or some type of religious based non sense. , things like this ,what recently happened in Syria is an example of how in civilized people can be. As for exterminating religious people. I don't think it has to come to that

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Sure, there is plenty to fight about besides religion.

In fact would submit that religion just amplifies the inherent tribalism and otherizing that's already there.

^^This!

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War is always about politics and economics. Religion may be used to stir up hatred when politicians want to incite wars, but they don't do that unless there are political or economic advantages to doing so.

JimG Level 8 Apr 14, 2018

@Donotbelieve I am familiar with the bond of soldiers in combat, and the unity of purpose on the home front, but I don't know that it factors into policy decisions or is exploited after the fact.

@Donotbelieve AGREED!

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Of course. We'd find other stupid things to fight about.

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Yes. There wou.ld still be conflicts between tribes and ethnic groups over culture and resources.

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Oh hell yes. There are all sorts of things for humans to fight over.
Power, money, resources.
It's most likely that the last and biggest war of all will be over resources.
Water, primarily.

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Yes. I firmly believe it is in our nature to kill each other. Religion is just another tool among resources that humans covet.

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Of course. We kill each other over a lot of things, mostly money and resources.

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Specifically, not in the broader historic placement, this conflict is more about real estate and natural resource acquisition. For all of the misrepresentation inundating our news media coverage, broad parts of Syria are viewed by the fanatics who've taken over political power in Israel, as part of 'Greater Israel'. Altogether it includes also Lebanon, Jordan, part of Iraq and all of Sinai.

We announced that we were leaving just a week ago. 'Rebels' were in the process of negotiating surrender and suddenly another 'attack' happened not against the rebels, but against civilians.. Ask, who would benefit from our remaining, continuing a war to depose Syrian leadership and thereby create a power vacuum?

My best guess is the Turks and the Israelis; with ancillary benefit to Saudis by minimizing Iran's influence. We certainly have no stake, other than involvement with petroleum enterprises.

This is about religion alright; worship of the almighty dollar with 'religion' as a cover.

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Probably

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Yes. We're petty, jealous little monkeys

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Yes, absolutely.

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Yes we would, not all conflicts stem for religions.

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Us vs Them mentality is inherent in humanity.

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People live to destroy. Take religion out of the equation and they'd find another excuse.

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Indeed. Religion is just another tool to oppress and manipulate. Most wars are about aquisition-power, oil, land- and religion and patriotism are used to play the poor and working classes to get them to fight said bullshit wars for the benefit of the weathy and corporations.

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There's always power, and oil

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Yes. As long as greed is around. Religion is just a tool of greed.

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Religion is only one reason for war. There's greed, power, nationalism, racism, ideological struggles, economics, resources...

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I was watching a video that featured Brain Ferguson, who is an anthology of war professor. Religion is just one identity that is used by leaders to get people to kill each other on the leaders behave. Atheist and Agnostic are to fixated on religion, imho.

JeffB Level 6 Apr 14, 2018
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I wonder all the time if there would be less strife without religion. It surely makes people crazy, scared, and stupid.

If not religion then patriotism, racism...the root of war are still greed.

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Religions like armies are tools. Power, dominance, control, and wealth serve greed. To serve greed you must conquer and destroy the opposition then claim the spoils. Thousands of years ago this was true just as today it is true. For all our advancements there will always be a percentage of humans who will destroy others in the service of greed.

Betty Level 8 Apr 14, 2018
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Of all the creatures on this planet man is the cruelist and most destructive. What he doesn't shit on he will destroys. Even pacifists will destroy when put in the right circumstance.

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I'm going with yes.
Even people within the same religion have wars amongst themselves. There are plenty of reasons to fight, if that is what you want to do.
Most/many? wars aren't even religion based, some just use religion as a battle cry.

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the wars of late are about greed and control

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Religion was important to developing cultures. It gave people a hope, a reason to carry on, a reason to live. It was a social tool; you met your future spouse in church; you socialized and made friends at church/synagogue/mosque gatherings.

But then Religion got carried away. Territorial. Elitist. The crusades was the beginning of forced spread of religion; missions to America to convert the "natives" was another well-meaning but mis-guided attempt to spread "the word" while killing those who didn't want to follow it.

Now, in the age of science and reason - that seems to have faded away. Religion - or let me call those who follow religion - the Religulous - have lost the value of their religion. They use it to proclaim the need for unplanned families - and thus fight planned families and the consequences of unplanned pregnancies.

The remnants of primitive religions; the Muslims and Buddhists mean well; but the Muslims, in particular, have adopted that angry "my way or the highway" approach that Christianity used to have....so ISIS and AlQaida evolved.

I miss the socializing that went on; but I don't miss the false hopes and "prayers" that are a lame excuse for sort of caring. If you care about a person or group's well being you act; you donate, you go help them; you don't "pray" for them. "thoughts and Prayers" is now a veiled insult, to me.

But I've found social groups; Irish American clubs, garden clubs, etc. can, and do, allow socializing without the pretext of worshipping imagined gods.

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