Would We Be Better Off Without Religion?

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I have little doubt we (the collective "we" -- humans) would be better off without religion. But I understand it won't cease to exist anytime soon. Being the innately story telling/believing creatures we've evolved to be, we don't let go of traditional views and understandings quickly or easily, no matter how lacking they may be from a purely rational point of view.
General, wide spread disbelief will have to wait for some level of evolution to pass, be it a natural or simply social one.

Bryce of CA 3:45PM October 24, 2010

If there were no religion in the world then human kinds would find other things to fight so nonsense.

hilal Genc of NY 7:34PM May 11, 2010

I have just this morning found the Erbe files. She speaks for many. How sad. Erbe represents that growing number of people that think they are good people because they do not commit horrific deeds and do most of the right things. Man is evil by nature. God allows us to overcome that through the power of Jesus which,for example, is why Ms. Palin can invite her grandaughter's father over for turkey inspite of his comments and attitudes. Sarah's right, things will work out for good.
As for Ms. Erbe: I will pray for your lost soul. And lost you are, your espousings do not reflect the fruits of the spirit but your own musings that may seem important and wise to the likes of you but are the drivel of Satan to those who have seen the Light.

pringle of FL 8:53AM November 15, 2009

yes we would be better of without religion because it is man-made now a relationship with God is different because no human is telling you what to do it is the person building a relationship between them and God one-on-one.Religion is messed up thinking by man.

cilla of CA 2:52PM October 28, 2009

Are Atheists against all governments or just the proclaimed universal goverent made up of several types of beings, some at least not of flesh, that has laid sovereign claim to this world, from the beginning, returning more than once, setting up a throne over this earth that sits in their capital (not on this planet) then left only one real but meta-physical representative on this planet?
A Holy ghost that cannot be harmed by the violence of the flesh but has complete control over the spirits both before and after they are released when flesh gives up the ghost.
Sounds like intelligent life to me.

Thomas Jones of OR 3:12PM October 27, 2009

Once again Ms. Erbe has completely missed the mark. I have two words she should have considered when writing this piece; Stalin and Mao. Between them they killed somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 million people. Not to mention the 100's of millions that suffered under them.
The point is, it is not religion or atheism that causes humans to do evil things it is the human heart.
Ms Erbe also neglects to fully consider the positive impact religion has had on society. This is not to say that many in the name of religion have not performed unspeakable acts, they have and will. Nor is it to say that Atheist are evil, they are not. It is to say that looking at a handful of anecdotal items is hardly a solid foundation for such a sweeping conclusion.

Dan in Colorado of CO 1:32PM October 27, 2009

Descartes began a lot of "Cuckoo ClocK" fancies about "Creation." WOMEN create new humans. There is no God to do any creating. Scripture writers "created' myths about punishments & rewards. They knew there would always be some people who are poor because & goods from a King of Kings. For them, Scripture authors invented Hellfire torture, as revenge for those who don't freely share their goods with beggars "here on earth." Scripture writers blasted women for wearing costly gems and clothing. Why? Because they wanted that money to go instead to paid preachers. The Bible "records" vast massacres committed by "loving God" as he drowns all but 8 on the Ark, kills all in Sodom and Gomorrah, all First Born, etc. The Bible exposes children to nasty tales of incest by wino Lot. It says he offered both virgin daughters for gang rape, before God chose Lot as "a righteous man." There are so many contradictions in the Bible--it's a wonder it doesn't tear itself in half from the many twists and turns.

aura dawn veirs of CA 8:26PM October 24, 2009

Matt gave details of what he says was his experience of having atheists call for a chaplain. It seems to me to be just like people who say they are scientists then assure us THEY believe in Creationism. Genuine atheists never change because we're born freethinkers. If there weren't some of us, I think paid preachers, competing for tithe income, would have waged enough holy wars to end humanity. R. Schaefer doesn't know Latin or he'd know Aura Dawn means "Golden Dawn." My mother, an heiress, lived on a large acreage before there were nearby cities. There was a grammar school but no university so she was tutored. She learned Sanskrit, Latin & the kind of science available in that era. Making fun of people's names is a way for impolite, unrefined people to go off-topic and throw in doses of their sermonizing. As for atheists in the military, I'm not sure of his name but I think it was Tillich, an atheist. He was killed by "Friendly Fire," by members of his unit. They seem to have been Christians who believe Christian propaganda handed out to them at tax expense, from "field altars" by chaplains paid & retired at officer pay scale. Muslims over there see Christian rites & believe we're all EVIL CHRISTIANS.

aura dawn veirs of CA 8:08PM October 24, 2009

Scripture writers invented Yahweh, God, Christ, sin, souls, heaven, & hell. To be a preacher, people go to seminary to learn about theology. It's the "study of gods" (all nonexistent.) There, none of the "hard sciences" are taught..Geology, Biology, Anatomy, Meteorology, Psychology, Pathology, etc. That's why churches say the world is less than l0,000 years old, even while layers of deposit are in plain view in the Grand Canyon. I think It was Falwell who said he could cause storms!! The GI Bill, unfortunately, could be used at seminaries. Scripture writers were uneducated men but publishers still make billions of dollars selling their obsolete religious literature. For current problems, It's like trying to work on a jet engine with a handbook for a Tin Lizzy Ford. Current assessments of scholarly skills say the USA is behind many nations in the number of people who have mastered higher math and language skills. I dislike hurting feelings, but religion deserves critical analysis. It teaches the vile lesson that a person can commit any crime, and want to have a Fall Guy, a Whipping Boy, a Scape Goat, a Jesus, to take the cruel punishment of starvation, beating and death.

aura dawn veirs of CA 6:21PM October 24, 2009

4 man commented they think the columnist isn't personally attractive to them--proving they're impolite & discourteous. Are they movie star handsome? Their remarks are off-topic scams to defend their "personal faith in God." The rite of conversion proves everyone is a born atheist. What is the "work" of paid preachers? They create, keep & increase number of tithers. A relative is a preacher. He refused to accept that my taxes are higher then his because churches are not on the tax base in cities where I've owned many homes & rentals. We both went to a relative's funeral, both driving a long way. He gave a little talk at the funeral. He was able to write off the cost of his trip, meals & motel as part of his ministry. Religion caused alienation because his family refuses to believe I have a right to be a freethinker. They used to send me "gifts" of livestock they said they gave to poor Christians overseas, in my name. They were in my name, as if I were a believer. I dissented & sent them a subscription to Freethought Today. That was a different story. As if it were a poison snake, they refused to even open the mailer and canceled the subscription.

aura dawn veirs of CA 6:02PM October 24, 2009