Would Humanity Be Better Off Without Organized Religion?

Organized religion refers to structured systems of faith, worship, and doctrine, often governed by institutions such as churches, mosques, temples, and religious authorities. These systems have influenced laws, ethics, culture, and social order for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Greek societies. Religion has historically provided communities with shared moral frameworks, identity, and purpose, while also being intertwined with governance, education, and traditions. Many of the world’s earliest legal codes and moral philosophies were derived from religious teachings. At the same time, conflicts, power struggles, and societal divisions have also emerged from religious differences, with history marked by events such as the Crusades, the Reformation, and religious persecution.