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Originally Posted by POed-poster
It isn't organized religion that has the positive effect. It is the personal belief in a higher power, which I have no problem with whatsoever. I am a theist myself, but my concept of God is not based on some outdated racist book of fairy-tales that tells me to shove my religion down the throats of others. My problem is with the ignorance of people who on the one hand say that the theory of evolution is a ridiculous, unproven, unlikely theory, and on the other have no problem believing that Eve was magically created when God took one of Adam's ribs. That is just stupidity on a level that is simply inexcusable. But that isn't what really bothers me. It is the way that these fools have been duped into a political ideology by people looking to control others. Outside of government, there is no institution the controls people like religion. The way of life in countries like Iran and Afghanistan should be more sobering to Americans. Iran was a secular state until radicals decided to speak for everyone and overthrow the Shaw. In the USA, religious conservatives are FAR MORE involved in the political process and are systematically looking to dismantle secular government and force a religious theocracy on everyone. They are fond of calling Muslims brutal beasts, but do you honestly think they would be any better? Many within that movement advocate the execution of abortion doctors and unrepentant homosexuals.
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Iran today is run similarly to how Catholic countries ran in the middle ages, most large issues went through Rome and the Pope had final say over legislative matters much as the Ayatollah runs things now. It's refreshing to see some push back to this form of leadership. I follow this all the time and hope that they will finally see change.
But back on the religious tip, ALL religions have extremeists. Muslims are no more brutal than catholics, they both have committed genocide in the name of their god, they both have sects that self mutilate, flagillate, etc.
There will also always be a need for organized religion. Similar to how some people sign up for the service, there are individuals that need structure in their life. As incomprehesable as that may sound to some of us, there are people that require someone else telling them what to do and how to live to survive. Religion keeps people in check, it gives them something to look to, it gives them guidance and something to do. Just as some people are born leaders some people are born followers.