You do realise that all the Western world was built on Christian values, not the ones you cherry picked from old testament, but rather on the 10 commitments (even if they've been altered).
You don't see how humanity have benefited from religion? Then you sir, are a moron.
How would you go around explaining say 15th century unwashed, illetarate masses what is good and what is bad?
As I'm sure I stated previously, the Western world was definitely NOT built on christian values... Name a "christian value" that the western world was build upon... name anything besides don't kill/steal, which are clearly not invented by christians
The problems of the 15th century were a direct result of the dark ages... a curse Christianity inflicted upon Europe... 300 years of murder, torture, rape, book burnings, etc... it was a madhouse... Christians murdered and destroyed half of Europe!
The world would have been much better off without the Inquisition, Burning witches alive, Crusades, et al
OK. Now I don't know whether you're trolling or is it the best you could come up with.
First of all, well done ignoring the rest of my post and my general point. I used 15 century peasant as an example of how simple rules of monotheist religion work best in keeping the masses in (self) control.
What you're trying to do is to draw equal mark between the Christianity as whole (with its ~2000 years history) and relatively short period of history when Catholic church was doing some ugly things (ignoring all the good ones).
Should I do the same and equate entire atheism with Bolshevik/communistic regimes (with atheism as mandatory doctrine) which are responsible for greatest number of deaths (adjusted for equal periods) than any other group in the history of mankind?
Christians murdered and destroyed half of Europe!
Pure bullshit.
Name a "christian value" that the western world was build upon
Respect for human life, forgiveness for crimes/sins (rather than slaughtering the sinner possibly together with his close family), loving/respecting other people (even your enemies), fidelity of marriage/monogamy, turning the other cheek, equality of people.
Sure, it's not all exclusive to Christianity nor not necessarily 'invented' by it, but the fact is the Europe become most advanced civilisation while being heavily influenced by Christian religion.
Morality and knowledge of what is right and wrong is not something you're born with. Can you not see the differences between Christian countries and i.e. Muslim countries? Which of the latter would allow you to abandon islam and openly promote atheism? Which of the existing religions is the closest to the western standards?
You seem to think that Europe would do better without Christianity? That it was not necessary in shaping currently accepted moral standards? How did the other, non Christian, parts of the world performed? Did we not see shit like slavery, cannibalism, constant tribal wars, ritual killings, honorary killings, acceptable rapes, stoning, eating hearts of your enemies (say hello to moderate Syrian rebels), genital mutilation, or many other shit (see
this one). Was what the literacy rate before evil Christians came along? What about discoveries, inventions and other contributions to the world?
Were the Africa/Americas exploring galaxies without Christianity holding their backs? Were they more advanced compared to Europe? Not so much.
Feel free to name few 'atheist' values, meaning currently accepted ones that were common among all the parts of the world. Don't kill/steal are not one of them. Pro-tip: you can't.