azza1625/createdebate-arguments huggingface dataset:
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

You think that without religion there would still be the same amount of "us" against "them" mentality because the other means of division would be used more often. I disagree. Let's use race as an example because many people do divide "us" against "them" using race. If religion couldn't be used, you wouldn't say "they're twice as different as us because they are a different race". You would still only be able to use the race card once. With religion you can say "they're a different race and a different religion" which makes them even more different than you. Without the difference in religion they instantly become more like you.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

That is an interesting thought. In a nutshell I interpret you saying that getting rid of religion decreases the number of potential divisions and therefore the world gets better. It is a seductive idea but my cynicism prevents me from agreeing with this. As long as there is concentrated power I believe those in control will use whatever means they can to divide people. Categories will be made up to fill the void left by the absence of religion, so I am inclined to believe. We already see divisions based on political correctness in this country and this sort of thing is identical to a division based on religion. It's division based on political thought and in the last century many millions of people were killed based on divisions of political thought. Perhaps your view belies an optimism that is absent in me. I don't think the world will be necessarily better or worse, just different, without religion. It will be a better place when humans learn to empathize on a much larger and grander scale. And this, I think, is the message of most religions; which is ironic given the topic we are discussing.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

Okay, the suffering caused in the past is probably about even when you compare religious and secular sides. Hey... it's all opinions.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

It's not an opinion when you state it as fact. Also, simple Opinions are worthless, Educated Opinions however have merit in a real debate... It is my opinion that if you disagree with me, you must be retarded. See, sounds pretty ridiculous.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: No

There is seemingly an endless list of atrocities committed in the name of God, but it is important to recognize that these acts are not committed in the spirit of religion. By and large religions are a moral handbook, a "Life for Dummies" that gives many people a moral path to walk. So while a men may kill in the name of a god, in most cases this would not be considered an action sanctioned by said god.To put the blame square at religion's feet seems unfair. Intolerance is probably where most of the blame should go.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: you are all morons

“…it becomes apparent that those who make the claim ‘religion has been the cause of more wars than any other factor in history’ may speak from ignorance or have ulterior motives for the assertion. Further, this type of assertion seems rooted in anti-religion posturing…Men and nations have a history of warfare and the root of conflict is power and gain…Occasionally war is fought over religion, as is perhaps the case during the reformation period in Europe. More often than not however, the cause of war can't be laid at the door of religion.”-Maj. John P. ConwayUnder War's Bloody BannerBy Carl Teichribhttp://www.forcingchange.org/under_war's_bloody_banner Modern ideological wars, genocides, and atrocities kills hundreds of millions. So called religious wars which were really largely campaigns of loot or power struggles were just given a religious tone to justify them. These only killed hundreds of thousands, not hundreds of millions. These are the approximate comparisons. Religion doesn't kill people. People kill people.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: No

Do we need to understand science and reason, in the first place than to use the rationality to find and our purpose of birth? Science is studies and discoveries of divine wonders, it cannot become divine itself. Who provides us with intelligence? Religions tell us Who. And, as for the sufferings and crusades love causes peace and war. However, compare the wrath and devastations of cold-blooded logical modern day wars. there are no differences b/w religions from the point of view of God, its created by ignorants and those who go against His will.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

"Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful." "Surgeon General's Warning: Quitting Religion Now Greatly Increases the Chances of World Peace."
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: No

Give me that person's address and I will send him lists of countless rare men who wrote masterpieces of religiously inspired literature, even many who wrote hundreds of years ago, and are still read today; who did wonderful things, not even including thousand of Prophets whom character are enough ample a proof of their truth. Take Rumi for instance, eastern mystic peot for example, whose readers are increasing day-by-day in USA. Only such intelligent beings have been able to give expositions on the religion, scientifically and from traditional perspectives. But, I will get sad if these two quotions are to be removed ever, for I will lose a precious source of continual laughter.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

Put quite simply, yes. The physical God has gradually been pushed aside by science and a better understanding of the world we live in, so that now there exists a purely metaphysical God. We don't need God to help us understand why the sun moves in the sky, why the crops grow, why the tides rise and fall. Whilst I feel that, in the past, religion has probably helped us to achieve the moralities that we adhire to today (although I think society as a whole has led religion for a very long time on moral issues, as opposed to visa versa previously), there is unfortunately no place for religion in the world now. So whilst I agree that, yes, the world would be better if we got rid of religion now, I'm not entirely sure if it would have been had we never had religion. (But then again, I'm sure we would have come up with other ways to build our moral foundations).
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: No

There has been no physical god of yours in perennial sources of wisdom. Wisdom, as understood in its ancient meaning i.e, love of wisdom, not hate of it, has played the function and continues to in religious worlds, of directing men to their end and purpose. "Man is not man becuase he has two hands, with which he can manipulate and make planes fly or perform complex mathematical operations.... but for other profound reasons."What are they? Enduring Religions, like Islam answer, answer by inviting us to observe the phenomena around us and to deduce signs of The Almighty Creator. Ok. Let's observe. Don't you, I invite you to see, don't you find this universe a law governed place? It is so. Whole universe submit to a regulated system Created by God. This is the demand of religion from man that we should submit our will to the Creator, accept Him as the Absolute King. Because, only this is natural. Only this is the necessity we are here to fulfill using our rationality. It even clearly says that the 'choice' is upto us whether we accept it or reject it. Do you not find it a miracle that a man can reject his Creator, who gives him this choice?
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: No

I agree, there is no place for religion in the world today. But would you say that there is place for faith?I find that atheists often (not always) lack the ability to trust, making it difficult to have faith, even if it is just to have faith in the human capacity to redeem itself once is a while.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: No

It depends on what kind of faith you are talking about. Do you mean "having faith" in actual things? If so, then most definately. Although the world can sometimes be a cruel and horrible place, it can also be a fantastic one, and seeing that (as I'm an Athiest) gives me some kind of "faith" in the human capacity, society, etc (where as a religious person may well have the same reaction for their faith in God).
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

Difficult argument indeed. The thing about religion is that it supports you through difficult times by helping you to believe there is a higher purpose and such. However, I believe religion is still too 'enforced' in this day and age. (example: arranged marriages, sex before marriage, anti-homosexual, etc.)I think people can believe in whatever they want, and that religion should never be enforced.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

How many wars have been fought "in the name of god"? How many people have been killed because of their religion? How many people have been tortured and executed for heresy?No, atheism won't lead to world peace, but at least we would have one less thing to kill each other over.(BTW I'm a catholic (does that make me a hypocrite?))
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: No

If you are referring to the Crusades, it was not in "the name of God" actually. It was only a rallying call. However, it was more likely because the Catholic Church at the time was a body of immense power, and they felt threatened by the Middle Eastern Muslims.It is rather hypocritical of you, but at least you know what to ask your Priest and know whats shaking your faith. Your opinion of yourself is not limited by others, only your own judgement.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

I do believe so, more murders have been caused by religion than anything else in the worlds history. I could not imagine us living in a world without religion since I was born into it. If I wasn't born into religion maybe I could see the truth behind my own religion. But since the truth is I do believe in God and that their is a heaven waiting to take my soul in after I die, I cannot truly say with all my heart that the world would be better. To imagine a world without religion ... back in the midieval ages the Pope would not have been totally revered as being the true sender of someone to hell or heaven. He and every Pope before and after him they are all just regular men who should not with any doubt in my mind be looked upon as being any better than me or any reader. All in all if I did not have a religion and nobody else had a religion we might be farther along in technology or who knows the possiblities and the point being we will never know and the world will always have at least 1 religion until it ends or people end.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

There is no real need in organized religion, while organized religion does hinder the progress.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

Definitely, it's better to get the religious people of today changed if possible to rely on their brain rather than faith. This is because faith has no basis and it relies just on some magical feeling, but if the religious people who rely on faith use knowledge that is derived from realistic events then they'll make decisions that is probably more beneficial to themselves and the whole of society just through better thought processes
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

Religion is a lose easily modifiable set of morals and ethics backed by the mysterious. You have a sacred text, that is so messed up, especially when it comes to knowing what was intended to be taken literally, and what was not. This is where the single text gets so many different believes and different churches and congregations. It's also where you get the disagreement and social instability. Faith, belief, and the likes should not be taken so seriously and should not be used as a tool to guide a person. As soon as you get one group of people that believe on thing, and someone else believing another, as strong as they believe, because belief and faith are at the center of each person, you get some serious problems.  All that we can tell empirically is that we as humans are here alone. You can fool yourself all you want, that you see the proof of god in everything, but you're only, like I said, fooling yourselves into seeing what you want to see. You have to start from a clean slate. Look at humanity now, look at where we are headed, and decide, what is a human? Your choices and your views and what you do or say, changes the course of humanity.  Reason out Morals, use your "god given" mind to reason all of these ethical principles. What is right and what is wrong? If there be a god, I think he would appreciate you more if you used what s/he's or it's given you to reach his conclusions about right and wrong than just following a flock of idiots to the gates of paradise.If you feel like you've done good in your life, no matter how bad it may have been, and you know that you've made mistakes (because knowing your mistakes means that you've acknowledged them and know that you shouldn't do them again), and you are still sent to hell... then that means more people like you will be there too, and then maybe hell will not be that bad of a place after all, right?
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

Religion was a invention of man to explain things in there surroundings, why in fact not sounds like a good idea lets make something up to explain something we cant answer who is to say what is what but religion based on pain,lies,ridicule, slander and hate there wont be such out there. With religion comes conflict.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

Religion wasn't created to explain. Explanation is one of it's functions, but really, it was created to control. Think about it. Governments have no real control over people. You essentially sign a contract saying that you will be a faithful citizen to the state... that's all you have to do. The government cannot make you do anything beyond that. If you do something wrong, that the establishment disagrees with, your punishment and all, is not mandatory if you can make the other citizens agree... or you have the means and will to escape it. Fear of punishment is the only thing keeping large governments in power, over the citizens. Religion is the same thing, but rather, it's something that you cannot escape. Once you die, you will be punished forever for doing things that are reasonably bad. What I mean by that is, look into every lesson that the bible teaches, the new testament (the old one is a little... over the edge) and you'll find that they are all engineered moral values that really only hold if you are part of a community, family, or any other form of social environment. Religion is a mechanism to control the individual, and government is mechanism that controls the masses. They go hand in hand. Why do you think kings were so close to the church? It's quite obvious that they weren't placed into power by god, as was believed at the time...  The reason religion brings conflict is because religion is placed in the soul, to be personalized, for a person to trust and have faith in... it's very very personal for each individual. Just like Nationalism in NAZI-Germany, it can make people feel like they SHOULD do something when someone disagrees. Nationalism and Religion are both very personal and have the power to make people stand up and do something, all together (which in itself brings about the mob mentality and makes people feel even more righteous and powerful).
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

The argument that more suffering has been caused by religion than by anything else is a bit of a stretch. Looking back at history, there are two main reasons why humans have waged wars. One is territory and the other is ideology. Within ideology, of course, lies religion but it is accompanied by such things as racism, elitism and the like.Nevertheless, I'd still have to say that, in this day and age, we'd be better off without religion. Before, I continue, however, I'd like to point out that it is religion that I deem unnecessary, not spirituality. Throughout history, religion has served as a general guide in our lives and faith has served as a filler for the things we do not know. It was either Sir Isaac Newton or Albert Einstein, both geniuses as far as physics and astronomy were concerned, who saw god in nature, a subject which they understood but little.Nowadays, rational thought, philosophy and society itself have come far enough along that religion is more of a crutch than the boon it once was. Belief in something spiritual is still something crucial in man's life as it has a humbling and grounding effect but religion just pigeonholes us into an aged mindset.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: No

People should just create their own religion. In my religion you get 72 virgins when you die regardless of whether you blow yourself up or not. Wanna join?
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

Religion has caused more fighting, controversy, death, and suffering than, dare I say it, any other concept in all of history.Just a few examples: Council of Blood/Troubles, French Wars of Religion, Spanish Inquisition, Defenstration of Prague, St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, etc.Just imagine if Catherine de Medici had not been blinded by her religion -- as well as Ferdinand and Isabella, Philip II, Henry VIII, Louis XIV, and the list goes on...
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

I think this argument has been destroyed enough already, but since someone actually voted for it, I'll say it again. Von Lauder, add up the totals of what you mentioned, and compare it just to Stalin's atheistic regime. That's just one man. The agrument you make is worthless, and actually hurts your cause.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Religion

The argument that religion is the driving force behind good deeds seems to me like a lack of faith in mankind. "Yes, I'll give money to charity, but only if there's a unicorn behind that tree". If religion is the only thing stopping you from becoming an egocentric bastard with no respect for human values you should seek help.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

I think you are correct - religion has caused the intorerant idealism that causes suffering. I posted on a topic of what three wishes would you choose if you had a genie. After I posted, I realized that I should have wished for all religions to be more tolerant.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

Even though I'm sure that humans will find other things to "worship" they will no longer be tied to the irrational beliefs that religion adheres to.People will continue to war, but at least no in the name of invisible beings that have the power to create the universe and all it's splendor but seem to be conveniently absent to help us figure out our own little (in comparison) problems.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

The number of atrocities commited in the name of some god is innumerable; Blind faith channeled through effective leaders will always allow the strong to control the weak minded masses, because they have been conditioned to do what their "god" or religious leader or political leader tells them to. We should be raised to question, not blindly follow the instructions of those before us; that is a path of destruction. Some agrue that religion does many a good thing for people, but what i want to know is why do we need a religion to tell us what is right? Why should we do things for other humans simply for benifits after our deaths or because of fear of devine retribution? Why can't we help each other simply because people need help; the answer is we do, and it is past time that we allow the religions of today to be removed from the equation to pass into obscurity along with the names zeus and apollo.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: No

But were they truly FOR God? They were only rallying cries. True religion is about living in harmony with one another and to do good deeds, in the simplest form I can put it. Perhaps some people need guidance when it comes to doing good deeds and bettering themselves. Remember that not everyone may be as capable as you and may need guidance to do "the right thing" And dont use what's happening in the Middle East as an example to show that religion turns people into AK47 wielding, scarf wearing, bomb planting terrorists. They dont practice religion. If you think that jihad means Holy War as in a real war, you are sadly mistaken. Jihad is a Holy Struggle against the evils INSIDE us aka our bad character. Not the war against the "infidels" like the media puts it nowadays. True, a jihad can also be taken in that context, but Muslims consider it a smaller jihad. The main purpose of jihad is to strengthen your own faith, not kill people.You may be right in the sense religion controlled by governments to control can create a dystopia where dictators are praised to the skies in the face of all the atrocities they commit, but religion in its proper context ultimately betters people. Perhaps it doesn't work for you, but that dont mean it dont work for other people.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

Yes because the bible says so.-j
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

Religion is ultimately a set of beliefs and it's up to the individual to choose what he or she wants to believe. However, the ultimate problem I have with religion is that while it does give a person hope in desperate times, it at times becomes too much of a hindrance to a person's daily life, and might even prevent a person from thinking rationally or objectively. While the person might not see it in this light due to their strong beliefs, it's what's happening when you look at it from a third person's point of view, which is why so many people would rather remain free thinkers because they realise what life would be like if they had a religion since they do not have one yet.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

Religion breeds anti-scientific thinking, and thus intellectual stagnation.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: No

Einstein supported religion. Thus your postulate that all scientists succeed because they dont believe in a God is baseless. True, while some people may be reduced to religious nut jobs who go around terrorizing people to get them to come to their church, but its not the only reason for intellectual stagnation. I think what breeds intellectual stagnation is failure to research something before taking up a view or ideology.
Debate: Would the world be a better place without religions
Side: Yes of course

Yes, it breeds ignorance and hatred.