Does the world need religion, even if it doesn't need God?

[Darwinian]

Another IQ2 debate

Wish I'd known about this as I would have been there. However, you can watch the debate live at 19:00 GMT by following this link

http://www.intelligencesquared.com/events/religion-god

The motion:

God is dead and man has no need of the myths and false consolation that religion offers. That's the battle-cry of Richard Dawkins and other tough-minded critics of religion. And yet millions cling to their faith, finding value and meaning in the concepts and rituals they adhere to. But is this dichotomy all we have to choose from – prostration or denigration? Some would argue that there's another way, that it's possible to remain an atheist and still make use of certain ideas and practices of religion that secular society has failed to engender – the promotion of morality and a spirit of community, for example, and the ability to cope with loss, failure and our own mortality. But is this "religion for atheists" something that would ever catch on? Without belief in the numinous and some form of authority wouldn't it all fall apart? And do atheists really need sermons and reminders to be good?

[Doubting Thomas]

Without God, why religion?

[Anomalocaris]

There might be some need for religion somewhere in the world, but honestly there are things the world needs much more than religion, like tuberculosis, malaria, a more persistent strain of ebola virus, etc

[Rokcet Scientist]

There might be some need for religion somewhere in the world, but honestly there are things the world needs much more than religion, like tuberculosis, malaria, a more persistent strain of ebola virus, etc

Huh?
The world needs more genocidal killers?

[Edwardo Piet]

The fact that atheists can live together harmoniously is more than enough evidence that the world doesn't need religion. This forum itself is a little bit of evidence.

[Minimalist]

I think the dolts will always need some idea of big brother watching them.

[downbeatplumb]

The fallasy is that religion is a source of morals rather than a retardant to morals and that coming together is always a good thing.
Mobs are a group of people, thats how I see some religions, a mob. I'm thinking of the westboro whatever church here.

Secular Jews seem to be able to enjoy the cultural trappings without the faith but i'm not sure if this model would be a good fit for others.
I know the trappings of christianity both annoy me and make me uncomfotable.

[5thHorseman]

The world needs an education, not religion.

[genkaus]

Not sure.

There is way more to religion than mythology and ensuing morality. Most of the time, your religion is your way of life.

For me, the one thing that would make religion worthwhile is culture and beauty it has given us through ages. From the magnificent architecture of temples and churches, to the beautiful paintings and sculptures. From the deeply insightful mythological stories to forms of music and dance based on them.

I guess there are two questions before us.

1. Could all this have developed even without religion? The answer is - I don't know. These things are often so deeply rooted in religion that it is difficult to imagine how it could have arisen without it.

2. In face of all the damage religion has caused, is the beauty still worth it? Again- I don't know. But the answer here might be a tentative no.

[houseofcantor]

God never was the problem. Speakers for god, speaking out the side of their neck; providing absolutes for the relatively clueless, those days are over.