Harmless and Helpful

"Many of us saw religion as harmless nonsense. Beliefs might lack all supporting evidence but, we thought, if people needed a crutch for consolation, where's the harm? September 11th changed all that. " 
Richard Dawkins

Religion, as differentiated from faith, is never harmless.  Atrocious people commit horrendous atrocities in the name of religion.  Crucifixion, castration, segregation, terrorism, bombing, torture, compelling to conformity, shunning, shaming, ad going to war have been done in the name of religion, and are being done in the name of religion.  September 11 did not change anything -- religious leaders and followers have engaged in atrocities in the name of religion for millennia.  No major religion has exempted itself from these horrors.  

I am a person of faith who grasps the scientific method with both hands.  Where evidence can lead, I am willing to follow.  As a human being I find compassion, caring, giving and respecting lead to better living than does disrespect, contempt, indifference, uncaring, greed and putting myself first.  I am not interested at all in participating in a religious group because while my little part of it may not indulge in evil, religion inevitably will.

What do you think?  Leave a comment and let us know.