Doing More Harm than Good

Throughout history, after weighing the good against the bad, can anyone claim organized religion has had a positive impact on our world? To this day, the murders of individuals by brutal theocracies still occur. These killings are labeled punishment for acts a person completely ignorant of religion wouldn't possibly consider a crime.

Of course churches around the free world perform deeds of a charitable nature, but the overhead involved with running a religious institution has actually reduced the number of dollars and goods going to folks who desperately need them. I'm not diminishing the charitable acts; I would simply rather see additional full-bellied children in impoverished areas than finely detailed craftsmanship in the doorknob of the Baptist church I just drove past.

They say religion is about faith. It pleases god that you have enough faith in him to assume he'd want you to be involved in an organization that has historically harmed humanity and currently puts the superficial wants of its well-to-do parishioners over the needs of the downtrodden? "Did you get a whiff of our new leather bound hymnals? We were only able to feed half the children at the shelter because of their exorbitant cost, but I'm sure knowledge a pleasurable aroma wafts through our church as we sing 'Go Tell It on the Mountain' will fulfill those hungry tykes much more than a hot meal ever could. Give a starving child food and he will feel full for mere hours, tell him how elegant our Sunday service is and his spiritual gullet will never remain empty."

After a disaster, who would you rather have helping: a charitable group whose leader instructs, "Make sure a kid is safe, feed him or her, and then quickly move on," or a religious leader who instructs, "Make sure a kid is safe and then feed him or her. While they chow down for the first time in days, talk up the Old Testament. Answer any questions they may have about Deuteronomy. In their current state, they'll be even more confused by the concept of a Triune God so don't harp on the topic. Before you move on, give them a flyer promoting our Wednesday night youth service. Really emphasize the fact that our band mixes traditional hymns with pop-rock and our drummer used to have long hair."

The harm done by organized religion isn't restricted to brutality. Even when presented with the possibility of freedom, those who've lived under strict religious rule are unable to hop out of their cages. "Come on out. You can do it! Away from these walls you can abide by your holy book with equal vigor. Freedom just means changing your mind won't result in the death penalty and you'll be spared harsh punishment should you commit acts which were considered crimes under your former leader. There is literally no downside! Though law no longer forces them to abide by your every demented demand, you can even converse with uncovered women who aren't your relatives. You may even find a few attractive, both in appearance and in spirit, wouldn't that be nice... Wait, where are you going!? You don't have to talk to women!"

What causes a government to execute teenagers accused of experimenting with homosexuality?

Organized religion.

What causes a man to turn his back on a facially uncovered woman?

Organized religion.

What causes a father to murder his daughters for the crime of becoming too westernized?

Organized religion.

If you're right in your basic belief that a god exists and will judge all, once you reach those pearly gates and he asks, "You lived your life in strict accordance with rules drafted by an..." will you feel comfortable answering...

"Organized religion."