As a non-believer (I don't like to use the word "atheist" because people confuse lack of belief in god with belief that there is no god), I consider religious faith a bad thing because it is not based on reality. Whatever good comes from religion can, and should, be got without it.

Unfortunately, the good that religions of all types have done over many millennia tends to be counterbalanced by the evil it has also done in that same time frame.

Of course some of that evil has not been so much by the religion itself as people who have hijacked religion for their own purposes.

I am not sure which way the balance sheet goes these days.

I think we've strayed far enough. It's been relatively civil and I thank you all for that, but to go farther invites disaster.
**LOCKED**

-Blast