Does the attack on science benefit anyone, especially school children who are taught Genesis instead of evolution, does the attack on abortion rights benefit anyone when women must use a coat hanger or give birth to an unwanted child, does the GOP, supported by the religious right, who get rich from corporate bribes benefit anyone except the rich, does the denial of climate change by the GOP, partly elected by the religious right, provide any benefit to humanity or nature, and does the fact that churches are not taxed benefit anyone except the clergy? I cannot answer any one of those yes, and the big one, climate change is about to eradicate humanity.

If I were religious, I'd say that the Devil has killed God and is controlling the religious for his own pleasure. Religious people are delusional. Can you think of one redeeming feature of religious people? If so, can you think of enough to offset the mayhem being caused by them from the things listed above?

I don't think so.

Absolutely--what a great question! This is my wheelhouse. cracks knuckles

Any time there is a difference in worldviews, mature, respectful, humble, self-honest, clear-eyed people can learn from one another: patience, curiosity, stress-testing their own beliefs, opinions, ideas; filling in their picture of how the world is experienced by others.

Specifically in this case, believers could (theoretically, anyway) learn that non-believers are fully capable of morality, happiness, compassion, fulfillment, purpose, meaning, etc.--that we're not all bitter, sociopathic, drug-addled baby-eaters. Non-believers could, depending on the personalities involved, learn that not all believers are judgmental, sanctimonious, science-hating, brain-dead automata.

Like the rabbi said, on "why God made atheists" : when an atheist sees a poor, hungry wretch, he doesn't say "I'll pray for you." He knows there's no God to swoop in and save the day; he says instead "I'll help you." When you see someone in need, be like an atheist.

More practically, we have to get along with each other. We have to live in society together, figure out laws that we can live with. At least trying to understand and learn from one another--to say nothing of succeeding!--will go a long way toward peace and prosperity.

In a discussion of ethics and the need for people to be ethical from within themselves and not because of an outside force - whether real or imagined.

As long as they find it in their hearts to keep the guilt n shame off my shirt I love christians. That saying, Ive met about 3-5 out of hundreds who managed both that and not to be a huge political hypocrite.

Everyone benefits from having friends of different faiths n backgrounds for sure. Theres not many overarching societal benefits that christians really bring to atheists and others that we don't have among ourselves (eg charity), but christians are largely filling a great hunk of our military so I thank em for their service. Other than that though, the macro cost/benefit is a pretty one way street, but on an individual basis, sure. A friend is a friend.