Is religion harmful?

[GoodCallYouWin]

In the Virus of Faith Dawkins argues that Faith is a virus and extremely disastrous. Does Religion cause harm? Or does the good from religion outweigh the harm it causes?

[luckyme]

Only if inhaled.

luckyme

[ThreeMartini]

Not if used in moderation.

[kerowo]

As long as you control the religion and it doesn't control you I think you are alright.

[PantsOnFire]

Like many things in life, it can be harmful if misused.

[Duke]

It's thus far been very harmful, but there's a theoretical possibility that it doesn't need to always cause problems.

[kerowo]

It's too bad it is so ingrained in the human head that we don't have a lot of evidence of what a society is like that doesn't have religion around.

[m_the0ry]

There is no practice more degenerate and damaging than faith.

[Archon_Wing]

[ QUOTE ]
In the Virus of Faith Dawkins argues that Faith is a virus and extremely disastrous. Does Religion cause harm? Or does the good from religion outweigh the harm it causes?

[/ QUOTE ]

Religions are very varied-- they are not just the Abrahamic ones most commonly discussed here. But of course it could be destructive when used the wrong way, just like gambling addiction. The major problem comes if you become too wrapped up in your beliefs and close your mind and heart but both of the above are hardly exclusive to religion. I must note most of the theists I know are not homicidal maniacs.

Fables and myths have their place. Just because a turtle and a rabbit never had a race in real life doesn't mean the story is worthless.

[kerowo]

[ QUOTE ]
There is no practice more degenerate and damaging than faith.

[/ QUOTE ]

Only because religion has been at it for a long time. Those without faith haven't done such a bang up job of things either.