Imagine....

[Cego_Colher]

...if only religion didn't brainwash people to discriminate against other beliefs or lack therof...

although, not quite on topic with what was being said. This isn't something that would necessarily be true. My boyfriend's father was a militant atheist (something to do with his father is why he became an atheist, I think) or something similar (I never met the guy), but his (oldest) daughter is a lesbian and he took this as some big insult to him that she would do such a thing. Apparently, it was so bad that she didn't go down to see him when he was dying. I don't really know details and I only know what my boyfriend has told me.

If religion didn't exist we might still have some of the problems that religion thinks aren't problems at all. Some people would just want reasons to be better then others. Though, I'd imagine that most of the issues still around would be discussed in a more rational manner and conclusions would be easier to reach, besides the end answer of "God doesn't (or does) want it that way."

[Nitsuj]

All religion has done has hurt the world. Religion is the cause of terrorism, pain, suffering, torture, and much more. Without religion, I believe there would be much fewer wars, less controversy about religion in schools, (okay, NO controversy) people would be much happier everywhere. And mark my words, in one way or another, religion will cause the end of the world.

[Godhead]

In response to the original post, if by religion you mean any type of theistic view, then I'd say that the world would be worse for it. Music, literature, poetry, architechture, philosophy, culture, in other words all the things which make human civilization interesting, would suffer. If by religion you mean organized religion, I'd say it would suffer in some ways (namely the ones I've just mentioned) but in other ways it would be better off. However, problems in the world which happen to have a connection with religion don't necessarily pertain to religion itself.

[Edwardo Piet]

Without religion the world would still be fucked up.

Just less fucked up.

EvF