Religion: Outlawed

[Forever Atlas]

The other day, a group of my friends and I were discussing a topic that related to something we heard in a congregational/religious meeting. The topic was, religion being banned.

Now, though people's faith can't be just "taken away," there are many ways that governments or authorities could ban or prohibit the practicing or gathering of organized religions. This concept might seem a bit far fetched, still, I believe it can (and eventually will) happen. In the Bible, Babylon the Great, what my group interprets as all the religions we see around us (especially that of Christendom), will be destroyed. Revelation speaks of the wild beast turning on Babylon and destroying her in the future.

Now, whether or not you think that interpretation is correct is irrelevant to the topic. My questions are: Do you see the destruction of religion as we know it today as a possibility? Even in our near future? Even in nations where "freedom of religion" is paramount to society?

What do you think the benefits or negative effects would be if religion was banned?

The fact that less and less people, especially in western regions, are religious these days might seem like it wouldn't matter. Churches are closing down, religious leaders are begging people to come back to their churches using scare tactics or enticing schemes. Reports from all around the world, especially many European nations and N. America show that while some people may believe in a higher being or power, less and less people practice any sort of religion. People these days are just too busy or too into themselves to have a religion. Not only that, the negative reputation religion has turns a lot more away from religion. Through the centuries countless atrocities have been in the name of religion. Corruption so high up the ladder. So why not just end it all?

Still there are billions worldwide that religion is a major and main part of their lives day to day. Not just that, many religions honestly and genuinely do good for many people around them.

So once again, do you see religion as possibly being outlawed? Yes or No and why? If it was outlawed, what do you think the effects would be on the world?

Discuss

[Chevalier Sombre]

I don't think religion will ever be outlawed. Sure, our society is growing gradually less and less religious (or perhaps just more tolerant) with a greater number of atheists, agnostics, and the like, but that doesn't mean we'll eventually do a 360 and make religion illegal. It wouldn't really be right, for one thing.

[neokumamon]

No, I do not really see religion being outlawed. Even if pepole are becoming less and less religious, it has simply become too big a part and too ingrained in our society for an attempt to ban religion by the goverment or some group to be successful. I believe that even pepole who aren't religious will see this as a major step over the line and will help see to it that is doesn't happen, even if it doesn't affect them.

[Dogenzaka]

This country was established on the premise of religion being free, that shouldn't be taken away.

[Angel]

No, I don't see religion being banned.

US being formed on religious freedom and whatnot. [s]I feel like murdering someone whenever I hear that.[/s] [s]goddamn republicans[/s]

It can be proven beyond a possible doubt that God/Buddha/Satan do not exist in any shape or form, but religion will always persist. [s]as will intolerance and bigotry[/s]

Originally Posted by Dogenzaka

This country was established on the premise of religion being free, that shouldn't be taken away.

Why, Dogen? Why?

[Oceayo]

This Thread reminds me of an episode(s) of South Park, where Cartman goes to the future and finds that R.Dawkins has disproven all religion. The people only believe in science and they begin to treat that like a religion. So I think that thats what would happen if Religion is banned, people will still form different factions of the same thing and go by different names. Yes, I do Theology & Philosophy at college XD

What I mean to say is; Religion will always be here, and it cannot be taken away from someone.

[Angel]

Originally Posted by Oceayo

This Thread reminds me of an episode(s) of South Park, where Cartman goes to the future and finds that R.Dawkins has disproven all religion. The people only believe in science and they begin to treat that like a religion. So I think that thats what would happen if Religion is banned, people will still form different factions of the same thing and go by different names. Yes, I do Theology & Philosophy at college XD

Life=/=South Park.

I honestly doubt that the only conflict in the future is what Atheists should call themselves.

[Forever Atlas]

What if religion gets in the way of political goals?

Not only that, though not all religions have faced problems, there have been many that have had bans here and there and had to fight for some if not all of their freedom even within recent decades. Who's to say that wont happen on a lager scale?

[Angel]

Originally Posted by Forever Atlas

What if religion gets in the way of political goals?

Not only that, though not all religions have faced problems, there have been many that have had bans here and there and had to fight for some if not all of their freedom even within recent decades. Who's to say that wont happen on a lager scale?

A: It already does. Christians preach on and on about world peace, yet they support a certain party with their "destroy all muslims" agenda.

B: Like religious factions making armies?

Then Christianity wins the US already. 70% of the population is a lot.

Unless you decide to factor in different denominations, then that's a different story.

[Cissy]

I don't think so.

For one, I don't see what we'd gain from abolishing religion. The very people who cause trouble and harass others because of religious reasons (whatever those reasons may be) are the very people who would rise up to such a law (in other words, it wouldn't solve the problem of religious tolerance, but rather feed the fire). I would imagine that outlawing religion would "supposedly" break up any religious hate between differing peoples, since religion would be null and void to some degree, but at the same time, if those spreading the hatred are the extremists, there's no way they'd just sit back quietly as religion gets banned. They'd fight back, would they not? The chances of war because of this seems likely to me.

Of course, not all who are passionate about religion are extremists, but those who are would most definitely do all they could to prevent such a law from being made.

[Gildragon]

DO I think that religion will eventually be outlawed. Yes. and so do many end times authors and theorists. I however think this is a bad idea for the world. because eventually collectively the world will need something to believe...or someONE. The abolishment of religion makes it all that much easier for a world leader to step into power. A False Messiah as it were.

Originally Posted by Dogenzaka

This country was established on the premise of religion being free, that shouldn't be taken away.

No offense Dogenzaka, but KHI isn't USA.

It can be proven beyond a possible doubt that God/Buddha/Satan do not exist in any shape or form, but religion will always persist.

No. A lie painted up to be the truth can be very convincing, but still cannot disprove the existence of a god of any kind, Christian or not.

[Nevermore]

I don't see much good coming from it. When you start banning religion, that starts you down the road to relativism (heck, you don't even have to ban it for that to eventually occur). Once your down that road, rules become less "defined/strict", boundaries get pushed, and eventually the society collapses in on itself. Russia is a huge example of this (and it didn't help that communism killed their economy).

Also, I'm not saying that the Christian religion is required. Most countries start out with various beliefs (Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Shintoism, etc.) and those beliefs help define the moral core of the country. You lose your basis for law, and suddenly anything can be made "right".

About the "America shouldn't stick to Christianity anymore" (or whatever equivocates to this), I don't find that to be a good thing either. The Constitution was founded on Christian ideas, designed for a Christian nation. To remove it America from those roots would effectively throw the Constitution's meaning out the window. It's already happened to a certain extent (loose interpretation of the Constitution, as it were).

[Angel]

Originally Posted by Gildragon

No. A lie painted up to be the truth can be very convincing, but still cannot disprove the existence of a god of any kind, Christian or not.

I mean if somehow, someway, we had CONCRETE, ABSOLUTE proof that no "higher beings" (or higher planes for that matter) existed.

People would still need to believe it.

After all, one of the biggest reasons that religion exists is because of the human fear or mortality/death.

[Gildragon]

Originally Posted by bamak93

After all, one of the biggest reasons that religion exists is because of the human fear or mortality/death.

So would you say that people align themselves with whatever religion to help mask or cure their fear?

Well even people with religion still fear regardless of what that religion teaches them not to.

[Angel]

Originally Posted by Gildragon

So would you say that people align themselves with whatever religion to help mask or cure their fear?

Exactly. There are few religions that don't depict an afterlife or some form of reincarnation in their teachings.

The Christians and Jews have Heaven, Hindus and Buddhists have reincarnation, etc.

Well even people with religion still fear regardless of what that religion teaches them not to.

Exactly.

Ergo, it doesn't do it's job properly.