How would the world react to a nuclear bombing in Jerusalem? I'm thinking up a sci-fi world set in 2100 or 2200 that is highly involved in high science and eugenics. Religion would curb advances in many fields so I figured I'd have a cataclysmic event lead to a grand holy war that eliminates most of the religious groups in the world and from there religion just decays over a few hundred years. That's the current idea anyway, but my question is what would really happen and should I or shouldn't I account for that kind of 'real' outcome? Religion won't be completely non-existent but seen in a few opposing cults, with the majority of society being docile due to hyper consumerism.

Jerusalem is home to three holy sites each representing three different religions. Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Only Christianity and Islam are major religions, Judaism is a minor one in comparison of member sizes.

The holy sites have each been subjected to massive amounts of damage through out history. Jerusalm going nuclear will prevent them from being once again rebuilt for a long long time.

Keep in mind two other major religions, Hinduisam and Buddisam (as well as other asian religions) have no symbolic ties to Jerusalem. So its unlikely they will be drawn into the 'holy war' except in a support role.


Realisticly its going to depend on who drops the nuke, who thier allies are, and what else they have up thier collective sleeves. I think the scenario you outline of a "grand holy war that eliminates most of the religious groups in the world and from there religion just decays over a few hundred years" is NOT a completely plauseable one.

We have seen so many scientific and medical advances within the last 100 years, despite religion being around. Yes there are still issues to be resolved, and conflicts will continue to arise. But we currently live in an amazing time in human technical development, and practicaly suffer with hyper consumerism right now anyway. So I don't see why religion needs to go away for your game to take place in the 2100-2200 timeframe.

Keep in mind that current Christian interpretation of the biblical book of Revelations and the "end times" in opposing a number of scientific advancements is a relatively new thing that started in the early 1800s. Religions grow and adapt, even split forming new groups throughout history.

Might even help your game story if some religions are pushing thier members to consume what society offers, not like there isn't historical precedent for this.

[Edited by - MSW on March 7, 2009 8:04:49 AM]

Quote: Original post by MSW
Realisticly its going to depend on who drops the nuke, who thier allies are, and what else they have up thier collective sleeves. I don't think the scenario you outline of a "grand holy war that eliminates most of the religious groups in the world and from there religion just decays over a few hundred years" is a completely plauseable one.

I had a long post typed out a few hours ago but I accidently closed the window (whoops!), but it basically boiled down to this. Basically all you'd be assured of is that the Middle East would be total bedlam for decades. Best case scenario, local protracted war, oil prices go through the roof, world economy even more stuffed than it is now. Worst case scenario, total thermonuclear war. However, if just the Middle East is taken out, it would hardly kill off religion. Christianity and Islam have grown faaaar beyond the Middle East, and wiping out Israel isn't going to destroy Judaism.

My main critique would be the premise that total global instability would lead to the destruction of religions. My understanding is that in times of great crisis, people tend to become more religious; their faith becomes the rock they can rely upon.

The premise that religion curbs advancement seems a bit off. Sure, Europe was a bit twitchy in that respect, but before unified education took the spotlight, most 'men of learning' got all of their knowledge from one monastery or another. If you are familiar with the multiple Islamic golden ages, you will notice that the main driving factor of their scientific discovery was faith-through-reason, showing their religious devotion through the pursuit of scientific knowledge. Stick sacred geometry on the top, and you have a nice scientific-religious cake, complete with frosting.