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Captain Sammitch said:
I'm amazed that past misdeeds play such a big role in determining the net worth of religions worldwide. Animosity is human nature. I'd assert that some of the most successful attempts to transcend animosities have found their roots in religious faith.


there's a difference between transcending the darker parts of human nature and a homogenized community getting along peacefully.

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Why else would Christian organizations worldwide be among the first to send aid to the [mostly Muslim] nations devastated by the tsunami?


Well, I could say brownie points for heaven, but I try not to be too cynical. That is a noble thing to do.
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Why else would my denomination send money to start a church in the middle of Baghdad?


A mosque or a christian church? Because building a christian church in Iraq after we invaded is really insulting and only builds the notion that we're trying to take away their sovereign religious rights.
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I think that faith is one of the most vital weapons in overcoming the baser elements of human nature, and I would suggest that those who believe otherwise are so convinced because they had unfortunate encounters with 'religious' individuals who refused to do so.


I see religion as an unfortunate crutch that people use to cope.
A means of feeling better by A) being on the "right" side and knowing you'll be rewarded for it after death.

Bow ties are coool.