Governments, families, communities, and individuals can be similarly accused.
Like any other institution, religion can be, and has been, misused for ill purposes. For example, a close examination of the history of Christianity exposes erroneous teachings, immoral behavior, intolerance, imperialism, and corruption among its leaders.
However, the same examination reveals charity, compassion, self-sacrifice, generosity, courage, identification with, and help for, the poor and disadvantaged, forgiveness, a call to righteousness and justice, and hope.
When religious communities send members and money to rebuild New Orleans, “religion” improves our society. When religious institutions sponsor soup kitchens, the homeless are fed. When religious texts and preachers require that we speak the truth, encourage non-violence, and call for justice, religion is force for good.
All cultures have religious expressions indicating a belief in something fundamental and enduring, something transcendent that may be expressed in a personal or impersonal manner. To dismiss all religious claims as fabrications, manipulations, or psychological comforts for the weak and feeble-minded, is to adjudicate the matter without due attention to the arguments, the figures, effects, and instances of religious insight and/or experience.
Despite the threat of violent suppression, Buddhist monks led a peaceful protest against the military government of Burma (Myanmar) recently. Were Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. not religious visionaries who changed the world for the better? Did they not do something good for the society and people?
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