Quote Originally Posted by osnap
I think religion is good on an individual level because it gives people something to cling to, and generally religion teaches followers to be good people. HOWEVER, religion from a holistic perspective is, in my opinion, a horrible thing. Religion has by far spawned more bloody wars and deaths than any other institution. Its an isolating element that polarizes the world and pits those of one belief against another. Essentially these people are blindly adhering to what they're told, and letting nothing stand in their way... if it means mercilessly slaughtering those who are clearly "wrong" in their beliefs, then by god, they'll do it.

Oftentimes Christians hear that and say, oh well CHRISTIANS dont do that. And you know, modern Christianity isnt a violent religion overall (or at least they dont START it anyways... Bush is a very devout and representative christian and hes led countless to death in the current war), but Christianity is historically a notoriously brutal doctrine. Crusades, anyone? Mass extermination of "heathens" because of differing beliefs is unacceptable for ANY religion.
You make some good points. But I still feel all religion is bad. You're right when you said religion gives people something to cling to, emotional solice, but that's all religion offers. And not every one needs it. I feel it is a coping mechanism to deal with the stress of everyday life, much like a drinker would take to a bottle, one might take to a prayer. While that is better than drnking, lol, whether you pray or not it will not change the outcome of anything.

I believe religion is one of the foundations for corruption. As are money, and politics.