Is a world without religion really more peaceful?

One often hears the assertion that religion causes war: that if people would only stop believing in God there’d be much more peace and love in the world.

I want much more peace and love in the world! So let’s carefully consider the idea that without religion that is what we would have.

First off, then, we must imagine that no people anywhere in the world have so much of an inkling of the idea of God. We must imagine that God is a complete, universal non-issue. Total void. Ixnay on the Godnay.

Poof! No more awareness of God!

So all those people who now identify themselves as Christians, Muslims or [insert other religion here] would no longer.

So how, then, would they think of themselves? After religious affiliation, what’s the next primary way in which people identify themselves?

Duh. By nationality. Generally speaking, people are really into what country they’re from.

So then losing religion alone won’t bring us more peace and love, will it? When haven’t wars been fought in the name of country, patriotism, and national pride?

If more peace and love is really what we’re after, then my all means we’ll have to jettison both God and country.

Cool! Done!

So now we have no religion, and no borders. Whoo-hoo! Is that Shangra-La I see off in the distance?

Oh, shoot. Wait. We still have racial identity. Which has probably caused more strife between people than has any other single thing. You take away God and country, and people will still definitely very strongly identify themselves according to their racial inheritance.

Bummer!

Well then, our way is clear. In order for us to have at least a chance at less war in the world, we must become a Godless, country-less race of people who all look pretty exactly alike.

Sure, it sounds a tad dull. But don’t you think it would be worth it more peace and love in the world? I sure do.

So in this brave new peaceful world I wouldn’t be a Christian; I wouldn’t be an American; and it wouldn’t even occur to me that anyone might look a lot different than I.

But you know what? I’d still be a Shore.

Take away religion, country, and race, and what’s left—first, foremost, and forever—is family.

The irreducible truth about humans is that we will bond. That can’t change. Finally, we must give and receive love.

And that means coupling up. And that means family.

A commonly known fact is that people are much more likely to be murdered by their spouse, lover, or family member than they are by a stranger.

More love and peace without religion.

Phfffft.

Not.

The truth of the matter is that it’s not ideas about God that cause people to kill people. It’s human nature that causes people to kill people.

And religion is founded upon the conviction that the only way to overcome the baser aspects of human nature is through appealing to the transformative, healing power of God.

God doesn’t send people to war. If anything, God is the only thing that can stop people from going to war.