Religion is the devil's work

[justinian]

I agree religion is bad. Religion is also more than just gods.

Religion is powerful. Nothing can bring people of all types together like religion. Likewise it divides them.

Religion DID NOT STOP the science of war, of making weapons of war, or killing, or torture.
Much of modern science is based on making devices related to war, from more powerful computers, to GPS to the Internet, to space exploration. Hell, some of the most evil inventions were conceived in the name of religion.

There is no difference between a priest and a scientist. Both ask me to believe things that is beyond my capability of proving without a doubt. When religious people come to me with their religion I politely send them away.
Saying that, I do not judge a person by the god they believe in, but by their character.

About religion I know this. Christianity is dying and Islam is rising in the west. For one to grow another must succumb. Nothing stays the same.

History is all about the rises and falls of peoples and religions. History dictates the west will fall and its people become someone else's .. you know the word. Maybe not in our lifetime but the world doesn't stop.

Just to add one more thing. I don't remember who said it (maybe Reagan but don't qoute me on that, Google isn't helping).
"The way to destroy a country or a people is to destroy their culture, namely their religion. You make them believe this is a good thing".

The countries on the move like China, India (becoming more militant Hindu) and the rest of them sees religion as vitally important. It is estimated China will soon be the largest Christian populated country in world. Their government encourages this (in a controlled way). They have the benefit of hindsight.

As much as I want no part of religion or gods, I look at an America of old who believed that God was on their side and made them the greatest nation on the planet and saw where it got them. Their very constitution is based on many of these beliefs. Did this belief help them achieve so much? Many believe it did but that can be argued.

Religion is culture. You really cant separate the two.