The space occupied by religion in society, as well as its ramifications, has been a subject of scholarly for centuries now. Religion pre-dates written history and has been pivotal in shaping human civilization. While the role of religion remains contentious, it is undeniable that religion is hitherto a cornerstone of human society.
Society Without Religion
Undeniably, a world devoid of religion would profoundly redefine established social and economic systems and institutions. From a social standpoint, religion’s absence would have both positive and negative effects. On the positive side, a religionless society would be more tolerant towards differences in sexual orientation and would have a higher likelihood of embracing the LGBTQ community. Religious doctrines have been cited as critical determinants of individuals’ attitudes toward same-sex relationships and marriages (Janssen & Scheepers, 2018). Equally, the absence of religion would bolster gender equality efforts because religion has been shown to distort progressive attitudes towards women (Guiso et al. 2002). This could be because most religious texts are patriarchal, emphasizing men’s socio-economic dominance while linking femininity to submission and subservience. Another positive social implication of a religion-less society would be reduced discrimination, especially on religious or denominational grounds. For example, discriminatory and prejudicial notions such as viewing Muslims as terrorists or Christians as immoral and greedy would disappear, fostering interreligious interactions.
Conversely, the absence of religion would destabilize social institutions by providing an avenue for rule-breaking and civil disobedience since people are not grounded by specific moral considerations. In comparing law obedience between religious individuals and atheists, Guiso et al. (2002) established that atheists were more willing to break the law than their religious counterparts. This reveals that religions provide people with some level of moral grounding, deterring delinquency and unethical behaviour. Again, because religion is linked with bolstering a sense of belonging and social cohesiveness, its absence might dismantle social institutions while driving the rise of new social institutions that fail to maintain existing harmony.
From an economic standpoint, the absence of religion might foster economic growth and development by revolutionizing people’s attitudes toward wealth and prosperity. Some religious doctrines deemphasize wealth creation, viewing it as an avenue for sinfulness. This has been the antithesis of economic prosperity. Contrastingly, the social havoc and disorientation caused by the absence of religion might impede economic development by scaring off investors and creating an unfavourable business environment.
Personal Significance of Religion
While increased secularization in contemporary society has reduced the prominence of religion, I still believe it is critical for the efficient functioning of society. I grew up in a religious family but have gravitated toward secularism, relying on scientific reasoning to guide my decision-making. My reservations against religion arose from its divisive overtones and high affinity for judgment and discrimination. Despite this, I recognize that religion serves different purposes to different people and should not be treated with contempt. For some, religion adds meaning to life and provides a reason to live. For others, religion forms their moral and ethical fabric, enabling them to navigate the intricacies of life. Owing to this, I believe that religious freedom should be upheld and any forms of religious discrimination and prejudice abhorred and discouraged.
In conclusion, imagining a world devoid of religion exposes a series of potential social, economic, and political implications. This paper has shown how a religion-less society would be characterized by high levels of tolerance and reduced discrimination but would potentially suffer from moral degradation and social anarchy. Accordingly, the relevance of religion in modern society remains undeniable. Again, the paper has established the subjective nature of religion, with faith serving different purposes to different people.
References
Guiso, L., Sapienza, P., & Zingales, L. (2002). People’s opium? Religion and economic attitudes. SSRN Electronic Journal, 1–70. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.331280
Janssen, D.-J., & Scheepers, P. (2018). How religiosity shapes rejection of homosexuality across the globe. Journal of Homosexuality, 66(14), 1974–2001. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2018.1522809
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