Why would the world be a much better place if everyone was an atheist?

I asked this question at Yahoo Answers.

This would be my answer: There would much less violence, no suicide bombings, much less stupidity, no more brainwashing of children, no more harassment of biology teachers, no more wasted lives, and human progress would be unlimited.

Here's some of the best answers:

Why would the world be a much better place if everyone was an atheist?

Because religion is generally dangerous and damaging.
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It teaches people not to doubt, not to question, not to seek knowledge, but to be credulous and complacent and to accept as reality what can not even be shown to actually exist. That's damaging to the human intellect and retards the progress of humanity.
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Because existence would be viewed from a FACTUAL perspective by 100% of people.
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"Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities". - Voltaire
That's why.
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It actually doesn't matter what they believe as much as how they behave. If people behaved as atheists then the world would improve because science and technology would get the funding churches used to build buildings and live lavish lifestyles. Also many of the prejudices of theists would be gone making the world a happier place for everyone whereas theists usually only want to make themselves happy and force their views on others through violence and legislation.
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Because we don't kill/torture/maim/rape/ostracize/hate people based on Bronze Age superstitions.
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All gods are just mythologies. If we have evidence for something we should embrace it, not run from it or pretend it doesn't exist. We should value the truth no matter how uncomfortable it seems.
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It would remove one very large basis for discrimination and hate: that of differing religious views and trying to impose them and their mandated acts, dress codes, oppressive demands, and restrictions on others.
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Because there will not be people killing others for not being 'the chosen race' or for worshiping the 'wrong god'.
Everyone will also be pursuing knowledge instead of being held back by thinking 'god did it'.