If Everyone Followed Your Religion...

[Kirran]

If everyone in the world followed the same faith (or non-religious worldview, e.g. atheistic naturalism), how would the world be different? Would it be nicer, or about the same? Worse, even? What things we see in the world today wouldn't exist, in terms of cultural trends and ideals?

Assume, for the purposes of the discussion, that the whole world's demographics would reflect current religious demographics of your faith. For example, 50-55% of the world's Christians are Catholic, therefore if the world were Christian 50-55% of all people will be Catholic.

If you want, I guess you can discuss it as if all the world is your denomination of your religion (e.g. an Ahmadi world, rather than a Muslim world more generally), just be sure to specify

 

[Skwim]

Because I believe some people need the security and reassurances that religions offer, for everyone to become an agnostic like myself would deprive them of these comforts and would leave a lot more depressed, morose, and despondent people in need of psychological help. Not good.

 

[Tumah]

As far as i'm aware, that's not meant to be a possibility in my religion. There's meant to be non-Jews.

 

[Kirran]

Because I believe some people need the security and reassurances that religions offer, for everyone to become an agnostic like myself would deprive them of these comforts and would leave a lot more depressed, morose, and despondent people in need of psychological help. Not good.

Hmm, very interesting. Thanks!

As far as i'm aware, that's not meant to be a possibility in my religion. There's meant to be non-Jews.

A left-field one. What if everyone DID decide to convert to Judaism? If over the next fifty years or so, every person underwent Orthodox conversion rigmarole and became Jewish?

 

[Tumah]

A left-field one. What if everyone DID decide to convert to Judaism? If over the next fifty years or so, every person underwent Orthodox conversion rigmarole and became Jewish?

I guess space collapses from the unsustainable amount of opinions being generated by six billion people.

 

[Rival]

Well I certainly think my Religion could do with a few more people, lol. Maybe not half the world, but a few more

 

[allfoak]

Balance is necessary for good health.
This being the case, it would never happen.
I am an alchemist at heart.
If everyone did what i do the world would be transformed into gold.

 

[Kirran]

I guess space collapses from the unsustainable amount of opinions being generated by six billion people.

Hey, other people can be opinionated

Well I certainly think my Religion could do with a few more people, lol. Maybe not half the world, but a few more

True, it could

But if everybody was a Zoroastrian (with as-is proportions of conservatives, isolationists and reform) how would things be different, do you think? Apart from the lack of churches, mosques and mandirs.

 

[Quintessence]

Well, for starters, pretty much the whole capitalistic, hierarchical, authoritarian, patriarchal paradigms still prevalent in Western culture would be completely upended...

 

[Rival]

But if everybody was a Zoroastrian (with as-is proportions of conservatives, isolationists and reform) how would things be different, do you think? Apart from the lack of churches, mosques and mandirs.

There'd be less hatred of homosexuals, acceptance of evolution, less historic repression of women and a Fourth Persian Empire

I think it would be a better place, even if only marginally. I do believe though that if people followed Jesus, and not Paul, more seriously, the world could also be better.

But Zoroastrianism also doesn't want to hurt non-believers, so there'd be more tolerance; you can pretty much eat what you want, so no having to go out to super expensive Kashrut or Halal butchers, eh @Tumah. You can drink alcohol, too.

 

[metis]

Hey, other people can be opinionated

Seems like you haven't been around too many of us Jews-- we got a monopoly on this.

Wanna buy some? Today, only $99.99, but just for you, just $98.99!

 

[Tumah]

There'd be less hatred of homosexuals, acceptance of evolution, less historic repression of women and a Fourth Persian Empire

I think it would be a better place, even if only marginally. I do believe though that if people followed Jesus, and not Paul, more seriously, the world could also be better.

But Zoroastrianism also doesn't want to hurt non-believers, so there'd be more tolerance; you can pretty much eat what you want, so no having to go out to super expensive Kashrut or Halal butchers, eh @Tumah. You can drink alcohol, too.

That sounds horrible.
A life where you can't complain about how everything is so expensive.

*shudder*

 

[Sunstone]

If everyone was of the exact same religion, about two thirds to three quarters of humans would feel spiritually, psychologically, or emotionally oppressed. Not merely unhappy, but oppressed. At least that's my guess.

 

[LuisDantas]

There would be a slightly more personal responsibility in general. A lot less tolerance of drugs (legal or otherwise). People would discuss far more often how different anatta and atman truly are, and how much influence from Hinduism and Shinto is too much influence.

Strong controversies about what to call SGi and Nichiren Shoshu would arise. So would far more meaningful discussions about the role of tradition and priests in religious practice.

Something of a free market for practice deity conceptions would arise as well. An art form, even.

 

[Deathbydefault]

If everyone in the world followed the same faith (or non-religious worldview, e.g. atheistic naturalism), how would the world be different? Would it be nicer, or about the same? Worse, even? What things we see in the world today wouldn't exist, in terms of cultural trends and ideals?

Assume, for the purposes of the discussion, that the whole world's demographics would reflect current religious demographics of your faith. For example, 50-55% of the world's Christians are Catholic, therefore if the world were Christian 50-55% of all people will be Catholic.

If you want, I guess you can discuss it as if all the world is your denomination of your religion (e.g. an Ahmadi world, rather than a Muslim world more generally), just be sure to specify

A world where people can have their religion and faith but are subject to secular law 100% of the time.
Theologian societies would be non-existent, churches couldn't hide criminal offenders, faith would no longer be a respectable stance.
Religious racism would absolutely not be tolerated, nor would any extreme views.
Freedom of speech and to criticize would be in effect, and being offended is something people will just have to deal with.
Childish riots over people not liking your religion would earn an american prison sentence.

That's a world I feel would be ideal for others.
My ideal world is a tad bit more brutal... the human race wouldn't survive.

 

[Geoff-Allen]

Interesting thread!

There are SO many different dispositions amongst the human population that I don't think one "answer" would work 4 everyone.

I don't follow any specific religion but I do make a CONSCIOUS effort 2 cultivate kindness & compassion and whenever I DO practrice I enjoy peace-of-mind.

This is something anyone can verify from their own personal experience.

Have a good one!

 

[Wirey]

My religion demands that I kick people who upset me in the testicles (or the vag in an emergency) so if everyone was my religion the world would look more like a Chuck Norris birthday party, I guess.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

If everyone in the world followed the same faith (or non-religious worldview, e.g. atheistic naturalism), how would the world be different? Would it be nicer, or about the same? Worse, even? What things we see in the world today wouldn't exist, in terms of cultural trends and ideals?

Assume, for the purposes of the discussion, that the whole world's demographics would reflect current religious demographics of your faith. For example, 50-55% of the world's Christians are Catholic, therefore if the world were Christian 50-55% of all people will be Catholic.

If you want, I guess you can discuss it as if all the world is your denomination of your religion (e.g. an Ahmadi world, rather than a Muslim world more generally), just be sure to specify

I think people wouldn't kill each other over what gods they worshipped or how they worshipped them any more. So religion-based conflicts would vanish. And people might be a little more aware of the environment (since they'd presumably hold nature in reverence) which would encourage them to make better choices regarding how much of a carbon footprint they make.

 

[Mycroft]

There would be a lot more free bacon.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

Seems like you haven't been around too many of us Jews-- we got a monopoly on this.

Wanna buy some? Today, only $99.99, but just for you, just $98.99!

3.6 billion Jewish mothers and grandmothers...