It could also be argued that standing in the pouring rain watching your soccer team getting beaten for the tenth time this season is stupid but sport does generate the same obsession as religion. We will be saved from relegation if we have faith and show our love every Saturday afternoon.

It has been stated here that it is unfair to single out religion as the cause of conflict and I agree that if we are singling out religion that it is unfair. I don't think we are. Most of us are here because we have in some way been negatively affected by religion. I have not said that religion is the only cause of problems for humanity but I do think that is one important one. Religion has placed one gender as more important than the other. Religions have persecuted beliefs that differ from theirs. Religion has persecuted those with sexual or love preferences different what the religion states is correct. Religion has even in at least some cases justified racial prejudices.

We have in the USA religious groups-which wants to legally enforce their so called scientifc view and morality on ALL of us. I hold that I not only have the right to fight against this but that I have a duty, a responsibility to do so.

We have the right o differ in views but we do not have the right ot force those views on others by sword, bomb or law.

Religion helps some people ignore reality. These people then utilize their right to ignore reality to vote accordingly which explains a lot of our effed up laws and why we keep backtracking whenever actual progress is made.

Religious ignorance and control have impacted EVERYTHING in American culture.

I think same sex marriage is one aspect. They expect everyone to live by their standards. It's wrong. Everyone should have the civil right to marry who they want.

Religion divides people, the Christians in the U.S. have worked to replace science with religion in our schools, and most cases of censorship have been the work of Christians. Gays have been oppressed and had their rights and freedoms restricted because of religion and the hatred fed by religious leaders. Christians have forced their religion onto our money and into our national anthem. Women's roles in society have been restricted largely due to Christian views and influence on society.

Religion divides people. It enforces the sense of "us and them".

The scientific community works together to advance science. People from different nations, cultures, political views coming together to make new discoveries.

I am part of the gaming community and although we can get rowdy and trollish at times we do not go to war. We are a demanding lot but we mostly have fun, support each other and help each other out at least game wise.

Religion has been the source of wars and persecution.