I agree with you and Kristof. As with all human institutions, organized religion has the potential to yield great good, or great harm, and in various manifestations has accomplished both over the centuries.
In my view, it is not particular religions that are at fault in producing ill effects; it is the fundamentalist end of the spectrum of religions in general. We find bigotry and violence arising from extremist Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and even Buddhists, to name a few. As a Reform Jew, I feel much more kinship with the liberal/humanist members of all of these faiths than with the violent, intolerant wing of my own.
I agree with you and Kristof. As with all human institutions, organized religion has the potential to yield great good, or great harm, and in various manifestations has accomplished both over the centuries.
In my view, it is not particular religions that are at fault in producing ill effects; it is the fundamentalist end of the spectrum of religions in general. We find bigotry and violence arising from extremist Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and even Buddhists, to name a few. As a Reform Jew, I feel much more kinship with the liberal/humanist members of all of these faiths than with the violent, intolerant wing of my own.