I absolutely agree. If you have a discussion with anyone about why religion is a good thing, they'll basically always mention morality, sense of connection or community, and/or charitable work. Not only are all of these things perfectly compatible within and supported by a humanist system of ethics, but it is my opinion that they are better accommodated within the framework of secular humanism than within any religious framework.

I totally agree with your post. We shouldn't have give credit to a church for being a good person.

You know Hitchens proposed this statement as a challenge to Christians during his debates.

There is nothing at all that we cannot do, and do it better, without the help of religion. Religion hinders human progress, so in fact a secular society would be more progressive in every way. By eliminating the need to prove that we are more worthy of god’s love and eternal life in the afterworld than others, we could see that cooperation rather than competition was how we humans should live our lives.

I agree with the statement but unfortunately atheists are not normally organized enough to do projects like soup kitchens etc. There are some in OKC and other big cities that work with other organizations to feed the homeless one day a month though.

There are a number of non religious food banks here.

There are NO lunch kitchens other than church run though for some reason.

That seems true enough

This is very true. Where I live a local food pantry makes those that need help listen to a small sermon and do a prayer before they get their food. This is pathetic!

That's true.

So true!

You are very correct. Forgoes a lot of problems too.

Actually thee is nothing a church can do that cannot be done through secular ways. There is no other way for things to get done.

If you did not have the Catholic Church, who would bugger all those alter boys?

The only thing different that is being done, is that the theists credit god for all that they do, that is done. Otherwise, it is the same food, same action, same good works. The Theists simply put their stamp of approval on it .

In large part I would suggest that through secular ways good things can be achieved even more effectively and deeply than through religion. Religion carries with it a certain measure of judgement and criticism even though it is supremely cloaked with love and compassion. Secularism holds its arms wide open ready to receive anyone as they are sans judgement.

Certainly it is true that individuals in each camp can behave contrary to the principles of the chosen path they follow. But the tenets and principles remain the same in religion and secularism. I am sure the argument can be made that secularism does not hold to principles. It simply represents a separation from religion and nothing more. But I am sure those that would make that argument are bright enough to see the point I am trying to make.

Agree! Plus we don't get sore knees!

Yes, we do not need need any religion to teach us morality or to give charity, for example. We can do in many other ways without a religious agenda.

Agreed.

This is a racist classist faux question. Take for example: " zionism. " 1 , is zionism "good ? " 2 , does secularizing the racist religious conquest of Palestine murdering Palestinians in shrinking apartheid ghettos calling all that FOREIGN AID AND DEMOCRATIC ALLY opposing jihadism a secular policy by both Democrats and Republicans?? McCarthyism and Red baiting has always been a religious attack upon workers rights and economic justice. There is no need for a "soup kitchen" when 100% employment with living wages is a secular ENFORCED policy.

If they bother at least a few churches try

Not really. Because you choosing to not see what religion does for some people. You are convinced the material is all there is to our lives. If you are correct then sure. But if you are wrong, you are putting blinders on. Since you really can't know either way you need to come to grips with this fact. That you really don't know if this is all there is. Being so sure of something in the absence of actual verifiable proof is no different from the faith of Theists.

The primary function that religion provides for people is a sense of community and belonging. Humans are animals and evolved with a survival strategy of forming groups for safety. We still have the instincts working to make ys want to belong to groups, and it still gives us a sense of safety and well beign to belong.

Unfortunately instincts and a sense of safety is a feeling that is very ethereal. Religion can more easily produce that sense and feeling than secular organizations or groups.

Belief that something works without knowing why, is much older than belief with understanding of why something work. Our intellect is rather new form an evolutionary standpoint.

religion invokes a coercive power to control the thoughts and actions of followers ... that can be more powerful than self imposed control over moral issues, Crowd control is easier if you have a common cause like religion that will shepherd people into a crowd

Yup