Imagine No Religion

by Jan Brazill

The appearance of a billboard on North Academy with these words has inspired a Gazette editorial in opposition. As support for the idea of a world without religion, we offer the following, adapted from a 2006 article by Janet Brazill, originally titled, “Wishes.”

Just imagine that everyone in the world suddenly decided they would no longer rely on undetectable, unseen beings to control their lives!

The absence of religious differences in beliefs would mean an immediate end to many wars including the Israeli conflict between Jews and Palestinians; Muslims fighting Christians in Africa and Indonesia; Muslim and Hindu sparring in Bangladesh; battles in Sri Lanka. There would no longer be a basis for hostilities between Shiites and Sunnis in Iraq.

And think of the worldwide “war on terrorism” -- without religious fervor there would be no more suicide bombers or 9-11 attacks!

Sometimes wars are fought to acquire necessary resources. Whether the goal is obtaining oil or gaining territory for “lebensraum,” war is caused by the needs of a populace that has exceeded its native resources. World population, now roughly 6.6 billion, is heading toward 8 billion by 2025, requiring yet more space, more food and more resources.

If religious opposition to birth control suddenly ceased, our government could address this exponential population growth, resuming its commitment to providing adequate family planning to the 201 million women worldwide who lack it now. Poverty would be reduced, as well as environmental degradation and resource depletion.

Good health could become a reality for many if research on embryonic stem cells were not frustrated by religious extremists - fanatics who resist many medical advances as thwarting God's will. The same mindset once opposed anesthesia.

Politically active religious followers delayed research into cures for the new disease of HIV/AIDS in the 1980's because it was initially thought to be God's punishment for what they considered sexual deviancy. Although the HIV/AIDS crisis has killed over 20 million people and currently infects more than 38 million men, women and children, religious opposition to condoms and the diversion of funds for teaching “abstinence” still impedes efforts to control one of the most destructive health crises of modern times.

Judgmental condemnation of homosexuality, prevalent in Catholic and Evangelical religions worldwide, also causes untold discrimination and emotional distress. Without religion, the persecution of gays, lesbians and transgendered people would end and the debate about gay marriage would vanish.

One of religion's most potent weapons to maintain control over the lives of its congregations is the fear of everlasting punishment in the afterlife through burning by fire, a doctrine that could be considered child abuse when it terrifies young children.  Computer websites, which any child can access, quote Bible passages and vividly describe the eternal torments awaiting transgressors in Hell. Without the protection society now automatically affords religion, we could classify these sites as obscene, as well as the book that preaches a god engaged in such sadistic torture. With religion gone, both Hell and the Devil would disappear.

A world without religion could concentrate on the greater good for humanity, employing science and logic rather than dogma. The time, energy and resources now expended on religion could be devoted to preserving our fragile environment for future generations, and ensuring that every individual has the means to experience the fullness of the life we're given.

Jan Brazill    January 200