Would no religion really benefit anyone?

Sure there are religious wackos, terrorists, god driven mass murderers, and delusional religious freaks.  I'm not talking about those.  I'm talking about the everyday citizen of any given country who happens to believe in their god.  They have some faith, some hope that believing in this god will benefit them later, regardless of whether or not this is a valid belief.  Like believing that "if you're good this year, Santa will bring you more presents" or "if you tip the waitress you'll have good karma brought to you" or "if you work really hard for the company, you'll have an excellent retirement package  and won't get laid off."  In other words, hope is the driving factor behind many of our actions.  To eliminate religion would eliminate people's day to day hope. 

Even if their beleifs are "scienticifally incorrect," think of all the people in the US that cling to God to get through their own lives.  Look at black churches that have joyous singing and dancing.  The Bible typically refers to its followers as sheep, and that's what they are.  But isn't it better than being convinced that there is no god?  To actually KNOW or have it forced upon them that no god can possibly exist?  You'd have people with no hope, purpose, or reason to differentiate right from wrong.  Sure, some people can act morally on their own, but others can't.  They need a reason to not steal or kill or cheat on their wives, and with no moral or spiritual "penalty," what do people have to lose?  Do you really want a completely atheist society?  Religion makes an excellent behavior control system, just like government laws, accepted behaviors, popular beliefs and opinions, TV advertisements, and political statements from our current political leader.  The validity of these systems may be wrong in some instances, but at least they offer some kind of order.   

>>36

Atheism is irrational because there is no proof that God either exists or does not. Agnosticism is the rational choice here.

"Satanists are as ridiculous as Christians, and I have the same contempt for them."

Thank God for that religious freedom thingie, heh?

"Stalin et al opposed the church because they saw it as a timesucking, brainwasting threat to Lenine's great plan to give every russian 2 spanish Flamingo dancers etc etc"

You completely missed the point, which is that Lenine, Stalin, etc, were atheists "wackos," meaning atheism is not the be all, end all, solution to the world's problems.

And "The Man Who Loved Children" is an autobiographical work by Christina Stead (one of the greatest australian writers of her time, respect her authority yadda yadda) about her own dysfunctional family. If you didn't read the book (I don't expect you too, it's kinda annoying at parts), at least read the preview I linked to.



Anyways, who cares. :P